Life and Conditions of the People of Hindustan (1200–1550 A.D.) c4.s1.t2.4

c4.s1.t2.4

Under Muslim rule, therefore, we do not enter upon a new era in Indian history, but only on a stage in the great social development which has been going on since the first dawn of Indian history and still remains to be completed. This, however, does not detract from the importance of the period or the value of its contribution to the stock of Indian culture. No remarks are required to show that the Hindu social system is one of the strongest and most endurable in the world. It happened by a strange chance that the first power with which Hindus were brought into permanent contact was one which differed from them as widely as possible in almost everything, and if we might say so, was a complete antithesis of their whole system. As a result of the Muslim impact, the ancient Hindu order was almost completely destroyed. Political and social divisions were levelled; caste was modified; religious tendencies took a new direction and force; and finally, the conception of India as a whole was made possible. It is in the light of these developments that Muslim rule becomes, if very imperfectly, intelligible.¹ A study of the early Muslim period becomes particularly important in view of the fact that these formative forces of Indian culture came into play at that time. And though they operated somewhat rudely and imperfectly, they succeeded in laying foundations which proved strong enough for the later Mughals in raising their glorious edifice. By the time of Akbar, as the following pages will endeavour to trace in outline, the ground-work was completed, and the Emperor Akbar as well as his successors followed the pattern their Turkish and Afghan predecessors had shaped for them. This period, in view of these considerations, becomes especially important for a correct appreciation of the Mughal contribution to Indian society, as well as for a proper estimate of the present social developments.