Early Islamic influence in India

- during AD 711, Islam first entered India due to a young Arabian general, Muhammad ibn Qasim

- in the 9^th and 19^th centuries, Arab traders began to convert many Hindus in port cities along the southwest coast.

- The central Asians onverts were the chief Muslim conquerors of India who began to enter India around 1000.

- Mahmud of Ghazni led a series of raid into the Punjab region to ensure for the Muslims gateway to the Indian subcontinents.

- The Muslims managed to convert many low-caste hindus and Buddhists, many coverts hoped that they would become part of a equal society and gain protection.

ref: Grolier Encyclopedia of Knowledge, Microsoft Encarta 2007