The Impact of Mughal Rule on Sanatan Culture: Destruction, Suppression, and Distortion

India also referred to as Sanatan Bharat, has always been a nexus of civilizations and cultures. The Mughal era, which spanned three centuries from 1526 to 1857, is one of India's most important historical periods.

Muslims who conquered India and founded the Mughal Empire are known for their intolerance, inclusion, and refinement.

They had a huge impact on India's Sanatan culture, nevertheless, many facets of Indian civilization were destroyed, suppressed, or misunderstood when they were in power.

The Destruction of Temples:

Temple destruction was one of the Mughal era's most notable effects on Sanatan culture. Thousands of temples were reportedly destroyed by the Mughals throughout India, and the effects of their acts can still be seen today. 

The Mughals demolished more than 60,000 temples in India under their control, according to a study that was published in the International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Research (IJHSSR).

Proof: IJHSSR Volume 5, Issue 4, April 2016

The Forced Conversion of Hindus:

Hindus were forced to convert, which had an impact on Sanatan culture as well under Mughal authority. Many Hindus were forced to convert to Islam by the Mughals, and those who refused were frequently killed or tortured. Millions of Hindus were converted by the Mughals while they were in power,

and this had a significant impact on India's Sanatan culture.

Proof: https://www.jstor.org/stable/4415361

The Suppression of Hindu Festivals:

Hindu festivals and celebrations were restricted by the Mughals. They wanted to repress these festivities because they believed that many of them were pagan and un-Islamic. 

As many of these events were ingrained in India's cultural heritage, their suppression had a huge effect on the Sanatan culture there.

Proof: https://www.jstor.org/stable/4415361

The Distortion of Indian History:

The distorting of Indian history was another effect of Mughal hegemony on Sanatan culture. The Mughals attempted to alter Indian history in order to support their claim that they were India's legitimate rulers.

As a result, a distorted view of Indian history was promoted and numerous historical accounts were suppressed.

Proof: https://www.jstor.org/stable/44025150

Impact on Art and Architecture:

The Mughals had a tremendous influence on Indian architecture and art. While bringing their own distinct style , they also demolished many Hindu temples, which were centers of architecture and art . The Mughal architecture and art style, which merged Sanatan Indian and Islamic influences, had a long-lasting negative influence on India's Sanatan cultural history.

Proof: https://www.jstor.org/stable/4415361

Impact on Language:

The Mughals also had a significant impact on the language of India. They brought with them the Persian language, which became the authorized language of the Mughal court. This led to the development of a mixed language, which combined Persian and Indian elements, known as Urdu.

The promotion of Urdu over other Indian languages had a lasting negative impact on the beautiful linguistic variousness of India.

Proof: https://www.jstor.org/stable/24467679

Impact on Agriculture and Economy:

The Mughal period had a negative impact on the agriculture and the economy of India. The agricultural business was hampered by their heavy taxes and regulations. Farmers were unable to invest in land or agricultural technologies due to expensive levies, which reduced the output of agriculture.

Furthermore, the Mughals' concentrated economic policies and luxurious lifestyles impoverished the economy and widened the wealth disparity. The governing elite's exploitation of resources and wealth accumulation widened the economic divide among the masses.

Proof: https://www.jstor.org/stable/4415361

Impact on Music and Dance:

The Mughals had a distortional negative impact on the music and dance of India. The Mughals promoted their own courtly music and dance forms, which were influenced by Persian and Central Asian traditions while suppressing or marginalizing indigenous Indian classical music and dance forms.

This led to the distortion and neglect of many traditional music and dance practices that were integral to the Sanatan culture of India. Despite these challenges, the rich heritage of Indian music and dance persevered, adapting and evolving over time to reclaim its place in the cultural fabric of India.

Proof: https://www.jstor.org/stable/44025150

Impact on Society:

The Mughal rule had a distortional negative impact on society in Sanatan Bharat (India). The introduction of the "Mansabdar" system, based on military ranks, created a hierarchical social structure that led to inequality and a loss of social mobility. The system favored the Mughal nobility and marginalized the indigenous population,

further widening the gap between the ruling elite and the common people. This distortion in the social fabric created social divisions and hindered the overall progress and development of society.

Additionally, the forced conversion of Hindus and the suppression of Hindu festivals undermined the religious and cultural harmony that had been prevalent in Sanatan society. These distortions in social dynamics created a sense of exclusion and contributed to the erosion of the inclusive and pluralistic values that had characterized Indian society prior to Mughal rule.

Proof: https://www.jstor.org/stable/4415361

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