ADVENT OF ISLAM IN SUB-CONTINENT 

Introduction 

Advent of Islam in Sub-continent is a unique episode in the history, Muslims entered Sub-continent as traders but with the passage of time strong Muslim society emerged in Sub-continent. Every segment of Muslim whether traders, rulers saints or sufis played an important role in evolution of Muslim society in Sub-continent. 

Main Phases Evolution of Muslim society in Sub-continent can be discussed in following phases. 

1.Role of Arab Traders
2.Arabs attack on Sind 
3.From Ghazni to Mughuls 
4.Role of Muslim Sufis and Missionaries 

1. Role of Arab Traders 

Arabs had relations with sub-continent even before Islam. Arab traders entered Sub-continent for trade and settled on coastal areas of India. After Islam Arabs' attitude and behavior towards others, especially non muslims, influenced Indians and they accepted Islam. Thus, Indians were aware of Islam and its teachings before Muslim invaders. 

2. Arab Attack on Sindh Walid Bin Adul Malik's reign is famous for expeditions. Walid bin Abdul Malik sent troops to different areas of the world.

Qutaibah Bin Muslim to Central Asia,Uqbah Bin Nafeh to North Africa and Muhammad Bin Qasim was sent to Sub-continent to attack Debal which was ruled by Dahir who protected Pirates.

Muhammad Bin Qasim 712

Muhammad Bin Qasim conquered Debal in 712. Then he occupied many areas up to Multan and established first Muslim rule in sub-continent. Arabs attack on Sub-continent played an important rule for the spread of Islam.

1.Muslim had direct relation with the Sub-continent. 

2.Muslim rule was established. 

3.Many saints came to sub-continent. 4.Muslim culture and traditions affected local people.

Due to all above factors, Islam spread in Sub-continent. Therefore Sindn is called Bab-ul-Islam. 

3.From Ghaznavi to Mughuls 

Second phase of the evolution of Islam in Sub-continent started with attacks of Mehmood of Ghazna. 

Following phases took place: 

Many saints cames from Ghazni like Data Ali Hajveri and Shah Ismail with Mehmood who played an important rule for islam in Sub-continent because they settled in Sub-continent and spread Islam.

1292 Shahabud-Din Ghauri indefeated Pirthvi Raj Chohan and controled most part of sub-continent and established Muslim rule. Qutub-ud-Din Aibak was first Muslim ruler of India in 1206.With the establishment of Muslim rule, Islam spread rapidly. Aibak patronized Saints and Ulemas and constructed many Mosques. 

Similarly, many kings of Slave Dynasty after Aibak like, Sultan Iltutmash, Nasir ud din Mehmood, who were very pious people, played an important role in evolution of Muslim society in Sub-continent. They respected sufis Ulemas, and gave them grants, constructed mosques They preached non Muslims. Thus, muslim evolution took place. 

Khilgees and Tughluqs played an important role for evolution of Muslim society.

Advent of Islam in Sub-continent

In the periods of Mughul rule, Islam was at its climax in the Sub-continent and Muslims were spread in whole the Sub-continent. Role of Muslim Sufism and Missionaries Alongwith Muslim rulers, saints and sufis played .an important role forsp f Islam. It will right to be say that actually Islam is spread by Muslim Sufis rather than rulers. From Muhammad bin Qasim to Mughuls every king patronized Ulemas ans Sufis who spread Islam in sub-continent. Important role was played by four Sufi Silsalas of Muslims.

 

1. Silsala Chishtia 

This silsala was founded by Moin-ud-Din Chishti of Ajmer. Other sufis of this silsala are Baba Farid-ud-din Ganj , Hazrat Nizam-ud-Din Aulia, Amir Khusru, Ameer Hassan Dehlvi etc. Chishtia Silsala is pioneer of Qawali which attracted people to Islam. This Silsala was most liberal and gave concept of Wahdat-ul-Wajood. 

2. Silsala Sehrwardia 

This Silsala was founded, by Sheikh Baha-ud-Din Zakria Multani. Sehrwardia Silsala also played an important role in spread of Islam. Other Bazurg Baba are Sheikh Sadarud-Din Arif, Sheikh Rukn-ud Din Multani etc. This Silsal a was prominent in Dehli Sultanate. 

3. Silsala Qadria

 This Silsala was founded by Sheikh Abdul-Qadir-Jillani. In sub-continent this Silsala was brought by Syed Muhammad Ghaus. Other important personalities of this Silsala are, Syed Ali Lahori, Sh.Muhammad Tahir Lahori, Baba Bulhay Shah, Mian Mir Qadri. Dara Shikoh was also" Mureed" of Mian Mir Qadri. This Silsala was a liberal one and attracted many people to Islam during and after Mughul era. 

4. Silsala Naqshbandia

 This was founded by Khawaja Bagi Billa. Other saints are Sheikh Mujadid Alf Sani, Shah Abdul Aziz, and Sheikh Ismail Lahori etc. Naqshbani.

Conclusion

 Islam that entered Sub-continent with traders reached at climax upto Mughuls era. Every king contributed in spread of Islam. Similarly, four Sufi Silsalas and other Ulemas and Saints influenced people by their teachings. Non Muslims were impressed by Muslim administration and by Muslim religious preachers and were converted to Islam.