[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [General history and culture](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general) › [Indian Muslims: Who Are They](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.lal-1990) › c7.3 # Indian Muslims: Who Are They c7.3 Indian Muslims: Who Are They c7.3 - **Language:** English ### [c7.3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.lal-1990.c7.3) There is one contemporary source which gives precise information about the proportion of Muslims in the total population, but it is not reliable. The \*Tarikh-i-Salim Shahi\*,¹¹ an autobiographical memoir of Jahangir, mentions that on one occasion he inquired from his father why all inhabitants of India could not be made Musalmans, and Akbar is reported to have said: My dear child with all of Gods creatures, I am at peace; why should I permit myself, under any consideration, to be the cause of molestation or aggression to any one? Besides, are not five parts in six of mankind either Hindus or aliens to the faith; and were I to be governed by motives of the kind suggested in your inquiry, what alternative can I have but to put them all to death? I have thought it therefore my wisest plan to let these men alone.¹² - [Previous: c7.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.lal-1990.c7.2) - [Next: c7.4](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.lal-1990.c7.4) - [Up: c7](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.lal-1990.c7) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.lal-1990.c7.3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.lal-1990.c7.3) · Pramāṇa