Indian Muslims: Who Are They c6.s3.1

c6.s3.1

The kingdom of Gujarat was established in 1396 and its rulers were descended from Wajih-ul-Mulk, a converted Rajput. This dynasty made great efforts to spread Islam. One of its famous rulers, Ahmad Shah (1411-1442), was responsible for many conversions. In 1414 he introduced the Jiziyah, and collected it with such strictness, that it brought a number of converts to Islam.²⁴ This Jiziyah was not rescinded till Akbars conquest of Gujarat in 1573. Even after that it took time to go,²⁵ bringing converts all the while. In 1420 Ahmad Shah punished the infidels of Satpura; in 1433 he raided Dungarpur and in 1440 he brought about Idars submission.²⁶ All his conquests were accompanied by conversions and boosted Muslim demography. Mahmud Begharas (1458-1511) exertions in the field of proselytization were equally impressive. In 1469 he led an army into Sorath against the Mandalik of Girnar. To the Rajas protests that he had paid the tribute regularly, Mahmud replied that he had come neither for tribute nor for plunder, but to establish the true faith in Sorath. The Raja went on fighting and fleeing and resisting for a whole year, but then had to accept Islam,²⁷ and received the title of Khan-i-Jahan. It stands to reason that he did not convert alone. In 1473 a raid on Dwarka brought in some more converts. When Champaner was attacked, its Rajput Raja Patai fought very valiantly. He was defeated but refused to accept Islam. For this he was done to death with great barbarity.²⁸ In 1484 his son was made Musalman (again, not alone) and in the next reign became the Amir of Idar, receiving the title of Nizam-ul-Mulk.