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Early
Medieval Bharat witnessed the passage of power from the Hindus-the sons
of the soil- to the Muslims-the invaders. As Al-Beruni had explained,
the attitude of the Hindus towards the Muslims was obviously not good.
They called the Muslims as Mlenchchas. The result was that the
two immobile religious communities stood in India side by side. Most
of the Hindus at that time did not allow any integration of theirs with
the Muslims and cared for their self-respect. Their superiority was
undoubted. In all spheres of life, the Hindus were always respected
for their qualities of heart. Although the Hindu religious and spiritual
leaders were hardly influenced by the Muslim invasion on India, the
common man was badly affected. This was because even the right of life
was given to the Hindus only after they paid Jiziya (the discriminating
tax burdened on Hindus).
According
to traditional Hindu society there were four castes. But with the Muslim
invasion the Brahmanas and the Kshatriyas had lost their glory. Because
the Brahmans neither had royal patronage nor did they have any job in
administration, they lost prestige and were reduced to poverty. Same
was the condition with the Kshatriays as they lost political power and
also lost an opportunity to earn their livelihood by being soldiers.
Many Kshatriyas were reduced to the position of local landlords. Serving
as intermediaries in the Revenue System organized and developed by the
Muslim rulers. In
the Sultnate period position of women deteriorated a lot. It no longer
remained as high as it used to be in the ancient India. In no way she
could enjoy independence. Due to the fear from Muslims, even the Hindus
adapted the system of child marriage. Sati was common but not compulsory.
As far as religion goes, Jainism had declined during this period. Mahayana
Budhhism was prominent. Four important Sampradayas of Vaishnavism-Sri,
Brahma, Rudra and Sanakadi-came into practice. The followers of Sri
Sampradaya propagated mainly by Ramanuja believed in Advaitvad. The
Dvaitvad was followed by those who believed in Brahma Sampradaya propagated
by Madhwacharya. Many Sampradayas like Pasupat, Kapalika, Virsaiva,
Sir Sidhanta, Lingyata emerged in Saivism.
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2001 vandemataram.com All rights reserved.
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