Synthesis and Syncretism between Islam and Hinduism in the Indian Subcontinent: an Analytical Study of the Religious Thought during the Sixteenth Century

Abstract

This analysis of the religious thought of the Indian subcontinent focuses upon the nature of earliest contacts between Islam and Hinduism and also discusses the early Hindu response and resistance to Islam and Muslims. These early contacts resulted in development of some theological and social issues within Hinduism; like the theological interpretation of destruction of age old deities and temples and defeat of Hindu rulers by the Muslim armies, issue of social interaction with the Muslims was a taboo for the Hindu society, likewise the development of monotheistic tendencies in the religious thought of Hindus. The Muslim theologians, intellectuals and Sufis interpreted, categorized and comprehended the religious beliefs and practices of Hindus in different ways. These interactions developed in much divergent ways over the centuries and there emerged a variety of ideological, theological, doctrinal and mystical tendencies as a result of these interactions. For an analysis of the nature of these tendencies the issue of religious freedom and conversion activity is discussed in detail. The religious thought of sixteenth century Indian Subcontinent presents an array of different sects and movements that developed as a result of Hindu-Muslim interactions. Some of the sects and movements that emerged as a result of convergence of Hindu- Muslim thought during the sixteenth century were attempts at synthesis between both Islamic and Hindu beliefs and practices while majority of these sects and movements were syncretistic. Synthesis and syncretism are used as two analytical categories; synthesis is an attempt at putting together of common elements while syncretism is an attempt to combine ideas that are disparate and may even be contrary to one another such as the notions of polytheism and monotheism.