The Administration of the Sultanate of Dehli c15.63

c15.63

Nor was the Hindu despised socially. The Muslims, generally speaking, have always been remarkably free from racial prejudice. There are instances of Muslim nobles marrying Hindu maidens; of free intercourse between Muslim saints and Hindu *yogīs*; of Hindu followers of Muslim saints and *vice versa*; in short, of a fairly free social intercourse between the two peoples.³ The Hindu was not branded with any social stigma; it was Hinduism which protected itself beneath the strong armour of exclusiveness. The Muslim was unclean; his very touch polluted the food of the twice-born Brahmans and men of the higher castes; the newcomer was outside the pale. In fairness to Hinduism, it must be remembered that this treatment was not limited to the Muslim; but praise cannot be withheld from the conquering race for their tolerance in cheerfully submitting to this humiliation. But no armour is proof against ideas; the impact with Islam caused a great searching of heart among the Hindus and produced religious leaders who were deeply influenced by the doctrine of the Muslim faith.¹