During the Sultanate period, Islam was the official religion of the state. As a result, while administering the state, the Sultan fulfilled both a religious and a political duty. That duty was to convert this dar-ul-harb (non-Muslim territory) into dar-ul-Islam (Muslim territory). In this article, we will discuss Religious Freedom under the Sultanate which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Religious Freedom - Background

• Many cities were sacked during the early stages of the conquest, with temples being a particular target, partly to justify the conquest and partly to seize the fantastic treasures they were said to contain.
• Several Hindu temples were converted into mosques during this time. The Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque near the Qutab Minar in Delhi is a prime example of this. It was once a Vishnu temple.
• To convert it into a mosque, the inner sanctum containing the deity was removed, and a screen of arches containing inscribed verses from the Quran was erected in front of it.
• A cloister was built around the courtyard using pillars from several temples. The courtyard has mostly survived. This was done in a number of other places, including Ajmer.
• However, as soon as the Turks arrived, they began constructing their own mosques.

Policy towards Hindus

• Their policy towards Hindu temples and other places of worship was based on Muslim law (sharia), which prohibited the construction of new places of worship "in opposition to Islam."
• However, it permitted the restoration of old temples because "buildings cannot last forever."
• This meant that there was no prohibition against erecting temples in the villages because Islam was not practised there. Similarly, temples could be constructed in the privacy of people's homes.
• However, during times of war, this policy of limited tolerance was not followed. Then the enemies of Islam, whether human or divine, were to be fought and destroyed.
• In times of peace, however, Hindus practiced their religion openly and ostentatiously within Turkish territories and in areas where the rajas had submitted to Muslim rule.
• Jalaluddin Khalji observed that idols were publicly worshipped and Hindu texts were publicly preached even in the capital and provincial centres.
• Despite the pressure of some orthodox theologians and the narrow approach of some sultans and their supporters, this policy of 'toleration within limits' was maintained during the Sultanate, albeit with occasional lapses.
• Prisoners of war were sometimes converted or criminals were exempted from punishment if they accepted Islam.
• Firuz executed a Brahman on the charge of insulting the Prophet of Islam.

Conversion to Islam

• Conversions to Islam were not generally accomplished through the use of force. If that were the case, the Hindus of Delhi would have been the first to be converted.
• The Muslim rulers recognized that the Hindu faith was too powerful to be destroyed militarily.
• Conversions to Islam were motivated by a desire for political or economic gain, or by a desire to improve one's social standing. When a powerful ruler or tribal chief converted, his subjects would often follow suit.
• In some areas where tribal people were induced to become cultivators, such as west Punjab, the valley of Kashmir, east Bengal, and so on, they changed their previous beliefs and accepted the faith of the ruling elements, in this case, Islam.
• Many artisans in the towns converted to Islam, either by following the new crafts introduced by the Turks or by relying on the patronage of the ruling class, such as weavers, ironworkers, paper-makers, and so on.
• Sufi saints played a role as well, though they were generally unconcerned with conversions and welcomed both Hindus and Muslims into their discourses. The saintly nature of some Sufi saints created a welcoming environment for Islam.
• There is no evidence, however, that a large number of people from the lower castes converted to Islam as a result of discrimination in Hindu society or the influence of Sufi saints.
• Thus, conversions occurred as a result of personal, political, and, in some cases, regional factors (as in the Punjab, east Bengal, etc).
• Many people from prominent Muslim families fled to India after the Mongol invasion of West Asia.
• There was also a steady influx of Afghans into India. Many of them joined Turkish armies or worked in trade. Under Lodi rule, there was another influx of Afghans in the fifteenth century.
• Despite this, the number of Muslims in India has remained relatively small. This situation influenced the nature of Hindu–Muslim relations and the cultural attitudes of the two.

Conclusion

Throughout the Sultanate, Hindus enjoyed a moderate level of tolerance, as they could practice their religion freely but were subject to certain restrictions that varied from ruler to ruler depending on the political climate.

FAQs 

Q1: How was religious freedom treated under the Delhi Sultanate?

Q2: What was the Jizya tax, and why was it significant?

Q3: Were there instances of religious tolerance under the Delhi Sultanate?

Q4: How did religious policies of the Delhi Sultanate impact Hindu temples?

Q5: Did Sufi movements influence religious practices under the Delhi Sultanate?

MCQs 

1. What was the Jizya tax imposed on?

A) Muslim traders

B) Non-Muslims

C) Military officials

D) Farmers regardless of religion

2. Which Sultan of Delhi is known for showing relative tolerance towards non-Muslims?

A) Alauddin Khalji

B) Balban

C) Muhammad bin Tughlaq

D) Firoz Shah Tughlaq

3. What role did Sufi saints play during the Delhi Sultanate?

A) Promoted only strict Islamic teachings

B) Bridged gaps between different religious communities

C) Focused solely on military expansion

D) Imposed religious taxes

4. How were Hindu temples treated by the Delhi Sultanate rulers?

A) Always protected and revered

B) Completely ignored

C) Sometimes targeted during conquests, but allowed to function with taxes in many areas

D) Exempt from any taxes

5. Who were the Dhimmis under the Delhi Sultanate?

A) Members of the Sultan’s court

B) Muslim scholars

C) Non-Muslims under the protection of the Islamic state

D) Foreign traders

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Analyze the religious policies of the Delhi Sultanate and their impact on non-Muslim communities.

Answer: The religious policies of the Delhi Sultanate varied across different rulers. While some Sultans, like Alauddin Khalji, imposed strict measures, including Jizya and restrictions on non-Muslims, others, like Muhammad bin Tughlaq, showed relative tolerance by incorporating non-Muslims into the administrative system. These policies impacted non-Muslim communities by creating social hierarchies, compelling some to convert, and shaping economic conditions through taxes. The Sufi movements of the time also played a role in promoting tolerance and cultural exchanges, fostering a complex interaction between religious practices.

Q2: How did Sufi movements influence the socio-religious fabric of the Delhi Sultanate?

Answer: Sufi movements played a pivotal role in shaping the socio-religious fabric of the Delhi Sultanate by promoting values of love, spiritual devotion, and inclusivity. Sufi saints often preached tolerance, connected with people from diverse backgrounds, and contributed to bridging religious divides. Their teachings fostered syncretic traditions, blending Islamic and local practices, and influenced cultural, social, and religious harmony. Sufi Khanqahs (spiritual centers) became important places of learning and cultural interaction.

Q3: What was the significance of the Jizya tax during the Delhi Sultanate?

Answer: The Jizya tax, imposed on non-Muslims, was significant as it highlighted the socio-religious hierarchy and differentiated treatment of communities under Islamic rule. While it provided non-Muslims with protection and allowed them to practice their faith, it also served as a means of asserting the dominance of the Muslim ruling class. The tax impacted the economic condition of non-Muslims and often became a point of contention, influencing conversions and social interactions within the empire.

Previous Year Questions on  Religious Freedom under the delhi sultanate

1. UPSC CSE 2019

Question: Discuss the religious tolerance and intolerance exhibited by different Sultans of the Delhi Sultanate.

Answer: The Delhi Sultanate exhibited varying degrees of religious tolerance and intolerance depending on the ruler's outlook. Rulers like Alauddin Khalji and Firoz Shah Tughlaq enforced policies that restricted non-Muslims through taxes like Jizya and destroyed temples during conquests. Conversely, Muhammad bin Tughlaq displayed relative tolerance by incorporating non-Muslims into the administration and promoting cultural exchange. The Sultanate’s policies often reflected a mix of religious pragmatism, political motives, and personal beliefs, influencing the socio-political landscape of medieval India.

2. UPSC CSE 2020

Question: Evaluate the impact of Sufi movements during the Delhi Sultanate on religious harmony in medieval India.

Answer: Sufi movements had a profound impact on fostering religious harmony during the Delhi Sultanate by promoting spiritual teachings that transcended religious boundaries. Sufi saints emphasized love, equality, and devotion, attracting followers from various communities. Their Khanqahs became centers for learning and cultural exchange, contributing to the development of syncretic practices. Sufi teachings softened the rigid religious policies of some Sultans and promoted a sense of unity and coexistence among diverse groups, enhancing socio-religious harmony in medieval India.