In the 11th and 12th centuries, northern India was invaded and conquered by the Turks that led to the establishment of rule of the Sultans of Delhi. Historians interpret the impact of these conquests differently. One group of historians regard the invasions, conquests and occupation a disaster and catastrophe for India because it disrupted the process of Indian history and interrupted the growth and development of Indian society.
As a result of conquests, according to them, a foreign element dominated the political, social and economic scene that deprived the Indians of the opportunity to play an active role in their own affairs. They became backward and relegated to the secondary position. Furthermore, wars and conflicts between the invaders and the defenders sapped their energies and depleted the population. India suffered heavily, culturally and spiritually.
On the other hand, some historians believe that foreign invasions and conquests shook the Indian society from its deep slumber and made it active to face new challenges. Facing the danger, they resisted the invaders and did not surrender without fighting bloody battles. This spirit of resistance created in them a new life to get out from their narrow outlook and widen their horizon.
Pointing out major changes, they argue that before the conquests, northern India was divided into petty states and ruled by small potentates who remained engaged in wars and conflicts with their rivals and wasted their resources and energies for nothing. One of the important result of the Turkish conquest was the building of an empire that ended these feudal lords and incorporated their states into a unified political system that guaranteed peace and stability.
The Turks brought along with them a new culture that soon transformed the society into a multi-cultured one. It gave fresh blood to the society which was isolated and needed fresh ideas. For example, so far, military service was restricted only to the Kshatriya, and the other caste was not allowed to bear arms. The Turkish conquest ended their monopoly and military service was opened to all castes.
As the new conquerors resided in cities and kept their army in fortresses, there occurred an urban revolution that changed the whole fabric of society. New cities were built and old ones were improved and extended. This urban revolution, in the words of Muhammad Habib, a veteran Aligarh historian, brought tremendous changes in Indian society.
Those lower castes and untouchables who were not allowed to reside within the four walls of cities, were free to come and live along with the other castes. According to him, this policy strengthened the structure of cities and because of it, cities were able to resist any invasion. Moreover, city life provided enough opportunities to artisans and craftsmen to show their professional skills.
As royalty and nobility required expensive dresses, ornaments, jewellry, furniture and equipment for horses and elephants, these artisans were employed in royal karkhanajat (factories) and supplied the required commodities. Their economic prosperity made them respectable in society. A status that was denied to them for centuries.
When Persian became the court language, it reduced the importance of Sanskrit and the Brahman class who monopolized the knowledge of the language. They, after loosing the royal patronage, turned to other professions and worked as writers and accountants on the shops of merchants and traders that greatly affected their social status. As al-Beruni remarks that some of them, after Mahmud’s invasion, migrated to Kashmir or to the Hindu states for royal patronage. These changes, however, reduced their influence on the Hindu society.
Khaliq Ahmad Nizami, in his book Some Aspects of Religion and Politics in India during the 13th Century writes that: From the 8th century onwards, India had lost all contacts with the outside world, and the Hindu society was ‘set in rigidity like a concrete structure’. One great achievement of the Turkish conquest of northern India was the ending of this isolation, and the establishment of the international status of India in then-known world.
As a result of building a strong centre, construction of forts on strategic places, trade routes became safe and the Indian markets were flooded with foreign merchandise. Trade and commerce resulted in the development of a legal system and tariff regulations. When the Turkish sultans introduced their own currency, it monetised the economy and promoted internal and external trade and commerce.
Irfan Habis, a prominent historian, pointed out that as a result of the Turkish conquests, new technology was introduced that provided effective tools to the artisans that increased their productivity. As a result, lower castes raised their social status and demanded a dignified place in the society. The result of this conflict is evident in contemporary literature.
The elite and upper classes are complain of the haughty attitude of the low-born, who attempt to get respectable status in society. This conflict is fully reflected during the reign of Balban (1246-1287), who refused to appoint any low-born on important administrative posts. However, once the process of change began, it became difficult to stop it. Therefore, the changes that the Turks brought transformed the Indian society with lasting effects.
