The Sultanate of Delhi, 711–1526 A.D. c8.s16.2

c8.s16.2

The Arabs themselves were profoundly affected by the contact with our religion, culture and people. They were astonished at the superiority of the Hindu civilisation, the Hindu philosophical thought and ideals and the versatility of the Hindu intellect. They learnt many things from us, 'specially the practical art of administration, and astronomy, music, painting, medicine and architecture.¹³ The Barmakis, a family of Buddhists (probably of Indian origin) who were in charge of No Bahar (*Nav Vihar*), a Buddhist temple at Balkh, became prime ministers of the Abhasid Caliphs (Saffah, Mansur and Harun-al-Rashid) after their conversion to Islam and dominated the Baghdad court for about fifty years (753-802 A.D.). They were responsible for inviting Indian scholars and scientists, physicians, astrologers and mathematicians, from Sindh to Baghdad in 771 A.D. Other missions followed, and Indian scientists like Bhāla, Mānaka, Bazigar (Bijayakar ?) and Sindbad acquired great fame at the Caliph's capital and were frequently mentioned in Arabic works. Mānaka, a physician, cured the Caliph Harun-al-Rashid of a serious disease and Dhana was appointed chief medical officer of a hospital at Baghdad. Indian scholars transmitted to the Arab world their knowledge of mathematics, astronomy, astrology, medicine and surgery.¹⁴ The Arabs adopted the Indian numerals and had some of the important Sanskrit works, such as *Brahmasiddhanta* of Brahmagupta and his *Khanda Khandyaka* translated into Arabic with the help of Hindu scholars. They employed Indian masons and painters to build and decorate their mosques and palaces. The Arabic civilisation was, thus, greatly enriched by its contact with our land. The Arabs carried Indian philosophy, numerals, astronomy and other branches of knowledge to Europe.¹⁵ Much of the enlightenment of the early Europeans of the eighth and the ninth centuries A.D. was, therefore, due to the Arab contact with India.