PAKISTAN AFFAIRS NOTES FOR CSS, PMS AND

DESCRIPTIVE TEST
MUSLIM RULE IN THE SUB-CONTINENT, IT’S
DOWNFALL AND EFFORTS FOR RENAISSANCE.

Reason for Downfall:

Muslim came in India as conquerors and established their rule in the sub-
Continent. This period stretched on almost 1000 years. Muslim Sufis and
theologians worked hard to convert the people to Islam, which means the
right path. Their teachings were based upon oneness of God, following
Prophets and abiding by the Quranic injunctions and cardinal principles of
Islam. The hallmark of the Sufis’ teachings was the liberal attitude and
cosmopolitan culture presented to the natives of India. Muslims had always
been in a minority but they maintained their capacity to rule this vast land.
Though Muslims were invaders in this land but they settled in India and
mixed up in the native community. By mixing of the dogmas, culture, ideas
and ethnicity there emerged a culture, which was homogenous and
embracing to all the communities. Muslims never separated themselves
from the land and they made India their home. Their rule was based upon
the following three principles

 Military strength
 Justice
 Intellectual superiority

But as the history shows that it is like a cycle and every empire have to fact
its downfall and Muslims were no exception. Aurangzeb was the last
Mughal emperor who kept the means of power in his hands and when he
died the chaos interrupted his empire and a war of succession among his
descendants proved disastrous of the Mughal glory. Invasion of Ahmed
Shah Abdali, during the reign of Muhammad Shah, proved fatal for
crumbling Mughal Empire. Thus, anarchy prevailed all over India, many
governors and Subedars declared themselves sovereign, the Marathas and
Sikhs rose their heads and became the key players of India. And the
Mughal Empire began to shrink and when BahaderShah, the last Mughal
Empire, ascended to throne, he was merely a titular head. He was a
pensioner of East India Company. The war of independence resulted in
formal end of Muslim Empire and the East India Company took the reign of
the subcontinent.
.

Reasons of Downfall
The fall of Mughal Empire was the end of the Muslim rule in the sub
continent. This was a severe blow to the culture and history of Muslim
India. Why this degradation took place is no mystery. The reasons for their
downfall were as under:

 No Law of Succession:
 There was any law of succession among the Muslim rulers of the
subcontinent. During the period of Delhi sultanate and Mughal era,
the transfer of power was not peaceful except a few. During the last
years of Shah Jehan a war of succession broke out among his sons
and its consequences were disastrous for the complexion of the
entire society. Likewise on the death of Aurangzeb the war was again
fought among his kin, which divided the Muslim elite. These wars of
succession were also responsible for the decline of the Mughal and
Muslim Empire.

 Lack of Military Efficiency:
 Military efficiency was the hallmark of the Muslim rule in India. The
military, with which the earlier strong rulers carried on the conquest
and extended the empire, had now become demoralized and
inefficient. There was lack o discipline, cohesion, patriotism, and
ignorance with the modern military warfare in the army. The military
was also divided amongst religious, linguistic and ethnic basis.


 Deterioration of Ruler's Character:

 Deterioration of character was another phenomenal contributor to the
downfall. The king and sultans like Altutmash. Balban, Alaodin Khilji.
Muhammad Tughlaq, Sikandar Lodhi, Babar, Akbar and Aurangzeb,
 were competent, handworker and intelligent people, who were well
aware, of the art of smooth sailing of the government. The remaining
rulers were neither competent nor had the highest values of the
character. The courtiers and the noble of Mughal rulers of 17th and
18th century were not men of characters and divided on ethnic and
linguistic basis.


 Segmentation on the Basis of Religion:

 Akbar’s religious dogmas resulted in weakening the hold of Muslims
on government offices. The’ Muslim segment of the society alienated
itself from the art and craft of the Mughal Empire. Moreover, this
resulted in the rise of orthodoxy under the Aurangzeb who alienated
the Hindu segment of the empire.

 Rise of Marathas:
 The rise of the Marathas resulted in a period of anarchy and chaos.
Aurangzeb’s death was a signal for Marathas to enhance their
authority over the government, which resulted in administrative
disorder. There was a great resentment amongst the Muslim masses
against the Marathas particularly; but the emperors were too weak to
meet the challenge.

 Ignorance Towards Sea Power:
 The Muslim rulers particularly the Mughal neglected the importance
of the sea power. They lacked the vision and sagacity to understand
the challenges posed by the European sea power. 8. Administrative
chaos resulted in economic downfall. The revenue taxes were
enhanced and there was no uniformity in the tax policy during the
later Mughal emperors. Economic instability thus undermined the
stability of the empire.
 Attacks of Invaders:
 The attacks of Nadir Shah and Ahmed Shah were a fatal blow to the
Mughal authority and resulted in the rise of the regional powers and
deterioration n the central authority. Deccan, Orissa, Oudh, Bengal
Bihar, etc., all declared their independence. Unfortunately, the Muslim
rulers neglected the importance of educational institutions. When
Europe was being illuminated with renaissance movement,
 establishing universities, hospitals and welfare institutions, our rulers
were indulged in making gardens, palaces and palace intrigues.


Efforts for the Renaissance of Muslims

Rule in Subcontinent:

A Short History of Muslims Rule in Subcontinent

Muslims’ rule in Subcontinent was established in 712 A. D. with the conquest
of Debal/Daibul (present day Karachi, Pakistan) by Muhammad Bin Qasim
during Umayyad dynasty. For many centuries those parts of Subcontinent which
were conquered by Muslims mujahids remained under the domain and control
of Caliph in Arab. Then in 1206 A.D. Qutbudin Aibak laid the foundation of an
independent Muslim state in Subcontinent. For next three to four centuries
Muslim state in Subcontinent was ruled by various Sultans. This process end
when in 1526 Babur established Mughal rule in India. Mughal rulers not only
expand the domain of Muslim rule in India but also gave new identity to the
region. They ruled the area till 1857 when British officially announced its rule
in India and over thrown the last Mughal Emperor Bahader Shah Zafar.

Efforts for the Renaissance of Muslims Rule

in Subcontinent:
Since 712 till 1857 A. D. and then 1947, every time efforts have been made by a
group learned and loyal Muslims for the renaissance of Muslims rule in
Subcontinent. As Muslims rule over India ends in 1857 A. D. therefore we
divide these renaissance efforts into two categories. First category contains
those efforts that were made before 1857 and their sole purpose was to re-
establish powerful Muslims rule over India. Second category contain those
efforts that were made after 1857 and their sole objective was to relieve
Muslims of the atrocities of the British and to educate Muslims and finally to
obtain an independent Muslim state. Details of these efforts are given below.
Efforts for the Renaissance of Muslims Rule in
Subcontinent 712-1857
During this time the first reported renaissance movement emerged during Akbar
rule which was headed by Mujadid Alf Sani. Detail of this and other renaissance
efforts that emerged in later times are given in below paragraphs.

Sheikh Ahmed Sirhindi Efforts

Sheikh Ahmed Sirhindi, also known as Imam Rabbani and Mujadid Alf Sani
began his renaissance movement in Seventeenth century. During his time Akbar
was Mughal emperor who ruled the Subcontinent. Though politically Muslim
rule over Subcontinent was very strong but on religious grounds there were no
signs of Islam and Islamic principles in royal court and other institutions of the
empire. Akbar’s self created Din-i-Illahi had greatly affected religious life and
beliefs of Muslims.

Sheikh Ahmed Sirhindi through his sincere efforts not only purged Muslim
society of misbelieves but also faced Akbar’s false religion. He once again put
Muslims rule in Subcontinent on the path of greatness.

Shah Wali-Ullah Efforts

Shah Wali-Ullah also known as Muhadis Delhvi worked for the renaissance of
Muslim rule over Subcontinent in Eighteenth century. In 18th century after the
death of Emperor Aurangzeb Alamgir, Muslim rule over Subcontinent fell into
the hands of his most incompetent successors who have no interest in empire,
politics and rule. Soon Muslim empire fell weak and it gave chance to many
Non Muslim rulers to attack Delhi and establish their rule. Shah Wali-Ullah
through his efforts not only awake Muslims and restored the spirit of Jihad in
them but also requested neighboring rulers to attack and destroy these infidel
forces who are ready to attack and destroy Muslims rule over Subcontinent. On
his request many nobles including Great Afghan ruler Ahmed Shah Abdali
attacked Marhatas and destroyed them.
Syed Ahmed Shaheed Barailvi
Syed Ahmed Shaheed Barailvi worked for the renaissance of Muslims rule over
Subcontinent in early 19th century. He was a man of action. He did not believe
only in words so he planned to take practical steps in this regard. For restoring
Muslims glory in India, Syed Sahab planned to launch Jihad movement against
Sikh, French and British. He successfully run jihad movement against infidel
forces till his last breath.

Fraizi Movement
Fraizi Movement was launched by Haji Shariat Ullah of Bengal in 1820’s. As
the name indicates the movement focused primarily on the completion of Fraiz
(obligations) of Islam. Haji Shariat Ullah was deadly against the false and
superstitious beliefs which had arisen in Muslim society due to long contact
with the Hindus. The movement under Haji Shariat Ullah command helped a lot
those Muslims who have been crushed by East India Company and Non Muslim
Zamindars.

Titu Mir
Mir Nasir Ali, popularly known as Titu Mir worked for the independence and
renaissance of Muslims of Bengal in early 19th Century. He fought bravely for
the rights and protection of Muslims of Bengal till 1831, when he was martyred
during clashes with the local government.

Efforts for The Renaissance Of Muslims Rule in

Subcontinent – 1857 Onward
After the fall of Muslims rule in Subcontinent many renaissance efforts were
made by some prominent Muslim scholars and fighters to restore the broken
glory of Muslims in Subcontinent. Renaissance movements during this time
were mostly focused on education and economic uplift of Muslims. Detail of
these renaissance movements are given in below paragraphs.

Aligarh Movement
Aligarh Movement was launched by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan (pioneer of Two
Nation Theory) in late 19th century. It was basically an educational movement
that aimed at providing modern western education to the Muslims of
Subcontinent. Many educational institutions were built by this movement that
helped Muslims a lot in learning modern knowledge. The movement had both
political and educational impacts on Muslim society in Subcontinent.
Deoband Movement
Deoband Movement was launched by Sufis and mystics of Subcontinent to
protect Islamic injunctions and provide religious education to the Muslims of
Subcontinent. Deoband Movement did great work in the provision of religious
education to Muslims of the Subcontinent.

Other Renaissance Movement and Efforts

Other renaissance movement that worked for the welfare of Muslim in India
includes Nadva tul Ulema Lucknow, Anjuman-i-Himayat-i-Islam Lahore, Sindh
Madrasa and Islamia College Peshawar and so on. These educational
movements did great work in the educational and political uplift of Muslims of
Subcontinent.

Conclusion
Muslims of the Subcontinent from very beginning have reviewed their rule
in Subcontinent time and again. They have never considered defeat an
option and so have tried again and again until they got an independent
Islamic state in the shape of Pakistan.