Why did the Muslim invaders triumph? They won on the battlefield in part because Muslim mounted archers had far greater mobility than Hindu forces, who rode slow-moving war elephants. Also, Hindu princes wasted resources battling one another instead of uniting against a common enemy. In some places, large numbers of Hindus, especially from low castes, converted to Islam. In the Hindu social system, people were born into castes, or social groups, from which they could not change.

By the time of the arrival of Islam, caste had become more rigid in parts of India than in previous eras, making social mobility more difficult for members of low castes. Some Hindus converted to Islam due to the simplicity of its message. Others did so because they sought political or economic advantage, or because they were fearful of the ways in which non-Muslims might be treated.

Changes Under the Delhi Sultanate

Muslim rule brought significant changes to Indian government and society. Sultans introduced Muslim traditions of government. Many Turks, Persians, and Arabs migrated to India to serve as soldiers or officials. Trade between India and Muslim lands increased. During the Mongol raids of the 1200s, many scholars and adventurers fled from Baghdad to India, bringing Persian and Greek learning. The newcomers helped create a brilliant civilization at Delhi, where Persian art and architecture flourished.

Northern India Fragments

The Delhi sultanate collapsed in 1398 when Mongol armies under the command of Tamerlane invaded India. He plundered the northern plain and smashed into Delhi. He targeted and killed over a hundred thousand Hindus. “Not a bird on the wing moved,” reported stunned survivors.

Thousands of artisans were enslaved to build Tamerlane's capital at Samarkand. Delhi, an empty shell, slowly recovered. The sultans no longer controlled a large empire, however, and northern India again fragmented, this time into rival Hindu and Muslim states.

The Meeting of Islam and Hinduism

At its worst, the Muslim conquest of northern India resulted in disaster for Hindus and Buddhists. The widespread destruction of Buddhist monasteries contributed to the drastic decline of Buddhism as a major religion in India.

Two Muslim dynasties ruled much of the Indian subcontinent. The Delhi sultanate lasted more than 300 years before the Mughal dynasty replaced it.

Analyze Maps

Describe Tamerlane's route into India.

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