[A Retrospective Analysis of The Arrival of Islam to India and Its Impact on Regional Geopolitics] Analisis Retrospektif Kemasukan Islam ke India dan Impaknya Terhadap Geopolitik Serantau

Abstract

The Indian subcontinent is one of the first regions into which Islam entered since the era of the Righteous Caliphs. The Indian territory also witnessed the advancement of Islamic civilization due to the emergence of Islamic powers in the area. Nevertheless, the historical accounts of Islam’s entry into India which focused more on futuhat (Islamic expansion) movements gave rise to the view that Islam came to the region only through expansionist policies. In light of those, this study aims to examine Islam’s expansion into India and its impact on the geopolitics of the region. In general, this study used a qualitative research method via approaches of historical study and content analysis in collecting and analyzing information from the relevant primary and secondary sources. The findings of the study showed that the spread of Islam into the Indian territory was achieved via two ways, namely by trade and by futuhat. The wise approach and good conduct of Muslim preachers, traders and armies towards the local communities enabled the spread of Islam to India. Furthermore, India was also host to the emergence of a number of Islamic kingdoms, beginning from the Ghaznavid dominion to the emergence of the Mughal Kingdom.