Islam and Peace
Islam in India
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ISLAM IN INDIA
A good number of Muslim leaders seem to be keen
to promote Islam and Islamic values in India by
trying to project the view that Islam needs their
protection. Nothing could be farther from the truth.
They would do well to cast even a cursory look at
India’s history to realise that their approach is
doing more harm than any good to the cause of
Islam or Muslims in India.
The founder of the Moghul empire in India,
Zahiruddin Mohammad Babar (1483-1530 AD), first
invaded the subcontinent in 1519. After several
battles, he finally captured Delhi and Agra in 1526
to establish the Moghul rule. He was succeeded by
his son, Nasiruddin Humayun.
Jalaluddin Mohammad Akbar (1542-1605), son of
Humayun, ascended the Moghul throne in 1556
after his father’s death. At that time Moghul rule
was marked by instability. One reason was that
Moghuls, being foreign invaders, aroused great
resentment among the local people. To end this
state of unrest, Akbar resorted to his policy of Sulh-
