HISB31H3 Lecture 8: Lecture 8.pdf
Document Summary
Islamic world: people converted to avoid taxes, muslims never made more than 20-25% of pop, culture divide between hindus & muslims very great. Islam vs. hinduism: monotheistic vs. polytheistic, equality of all believers vs. strict hierarchy, sexual modesty vs. eroticism of religious art. Christians forced to wear special clothing and pay taxes. Upper classes social relationship between diff faiths was common. Muslims forced out & banned from publicly expressing faith. Many factors to spread of islam in diff regions. Relied on shared religious culture to keep ties strong. Yearly trip to mecca: feeling of belonging, community. Important factors: trade networks, sufis and their new orders, ulamas and madrassas, military might. How they compare and how they relate to each other. Sufis highly adapted religious people, move about and in the process convert people, bring people together in new religious communities.
