Indian Muslims: Who Are They c7.19

c7.19

Thus Aurangzebs proselytizing zeal resulted in good number of conversions. He seems to have employed all the means at his disposal to raise Muslim population. In the dispute about estates between two brothers or relatives, the Raja or Zamindar who embraced Islam was given the property. Other kinds of pressures or temptations brought other Rajas into the fold of Islam.⁵⁷ Criminals were set free if they became Muslims. Economic pressure of Jiziyah and inducement of jobs brought in may more converts. Enslavement too was a contributory factor. Then there was sheer force - force by the king, his nobles and local officers. There are references in the reports forwarded by Kotwals and Faujdars about their efforts and achievements in making converts in their jurisdiction. The forcible conversion of Frontier Tribes by Aurangzeb is a well-known fact. Popular Hindu and Sikh tradition ascribes mass conversions by force to Aurangzebs reign.⁵⁸ Christians too were forcibly converted to Islam.⁵⁹ Both official and non-official sources point to a high rate of conversion, much above the normal. Naturally Aurangzeb seems to have been satisfied with his achievements. Manucci says that just before the emperor died, he said: I die happy for at least the world will be able to say that I have employed every effort to destroy the enemies of the Muhammedan faith.⁶⁰