Most Persecuted Religions in History

[muqawwee123]

Re: Most Persecuted Religions in History

@calypsodc

Bengal was a buddhist kingdom before the arrival of Islam. Muhammad Bakhtiyar Khilji controlled Bengal which was when the region had the most number of converts . Muslim missionaries played a part equally important. Most of the areas which are predominantly muslim were buddhist kingdoms- sindh, baluchisthan, Afghanisthan, Bengal were all Buddhist with a hindu minority. Exception being Kashmir which was hindu majority. Punjab before Islam was under control of the pala empire (750-1220) and hindu shahi which were both buddhist and hindu in nature. It is the buddhist majority of pre-islamic india with exceptions of parts of punjab and kashmir which are muslim majority today. Buddhism is a casteless religion unlike hinduism and they were the first to convert. They did not face any discrimination based on “castes”. Hindus converted too but they held on longer despite the so called “evil caste system” as is proclaimed today. So how can we consider caste system as the main cause of voluntary conversion of Hindus ?

How don’t we hear about forced conversions during Muslim rule in Sindh? No demolitions during Arab conquests, besides controversial accounts for treatment of Raja Dahir’s daughters. Sindh is still known as Baab ul Islam (door to Islam) in sub-continent and is dominant by Sufism.

I’ve seen many Sindhis keeping Budha’s statue in their homes. If it had been the forcible conversion, such things would have been rooted out from the society by the invaders. Sindh’s culture is incomplete without three Sufi saints. Qalandar Shahbaz, Shah Abdul lateef and Sachal Sarmast all from Arab families. But even todate not only Muslims, but Hindus of Sindh revere them. Forced conversions never win such respect and devotions IMO.