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Arab traders brought Islam to India in the early 8th century, but it was not until the 12th century that it became a force to reckon with in the Indian sub-continent. Unlike Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism which emerged as offshoots of Hinduism, Islam had its own unique concept, customs and religious practices, professing universal brotherhood and submission to Allah, the God Almighty.
The Muslim invaders of the 12th century and the Mughal rulers of the 16th and 17th centuries helped spread Islam throughout India. In its first phase, Islam was an aggressive movement. But the mystics of Islam, or the Sufi saints, helped in spreading the message of peace and universal love.
The spirit of brotherhood propounded by Sufi saints and preachers like Kabir and Nanak helped in loosening the rigidity of the caste system. The interaction of the two faiths led to a synthesis of Hindu and Islamic elements in almost every sphere of life and culture. After an initial period of conflict and confrontation, today the two religions have accommodated and enriched each other.
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SPOTLIGHT
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