India After the Guptas

1. India After the Guptas Chapter 8-4

2. The Impact of Religion • For hundreds of years Buddhism was the accepted religion of India • However, there were splits or differences in the meaning • One such group, the Theravada, believed that they were following the original teachings of Buddha & Buddhism as a way of life not a religion that was centered on individual salvation • The understanding of ones self was the chief way to nirvana • Another view, the Mahayana, believed that the Theravada were to strict & that Buddhism was a religion not a philosophy & that Buddha himself was a divine figure & only through him could salvation be achieved • The Theravada view tended to be more popular to many people in Southeast Asia, partly because it tolerated local gods and posed no threats to any established faiths.

3. The Eastward Expansion of Islam • In the early eighth century Islam became very popular & had a major impact on the northwestern part of India • By 1200 Muslim power had control of the entire plain of northern India forming the new Muslim state known as the sultanate of Delhi

4. The Impact of Timur Lenk • By the end of the fourteenth century the sultanate of Delhi was in decline & vulnerable to invasion • This vulnerability would be exploited by the Mongols & Timur Lenk • Lenk was a very harsh ruler who would kill some 10,000 Hindu prisoners outside the gates of Delhi

5. Islam and Indian Society • Islamic rule in India was one that was viewed as a foreign conquer & tried to maintain a strict separation between Muslims & the Hindus • Muslim rulers were intolerant of other faiths but generally used peaceful means to encourage others to convert to Islam • There were too many Hindus to convert them all thus tolerance was accepted although Islamic customs were imposed • Overall it was a relationship of mistrust & suspicion