Islam and Hinduism co-existed in India for hundreds of years, dominating, suppressing, and influencing one another.
This book begins with a detailed analysis of the Hindu caste system from its beginnings in antiquity to a guild-like village caste and professional caste system in the Middle Ages, and its continuance within the Muslim and colonial societies. The author analyzes Muslim society in medieval and early modern India by examining a range of topics including the ashraf-ajlaf divide.
Over the course of centuries, India had two parallel societies, the coexistence of which had consequences for all aspects of administration and culture. The author explains the lack of major efforts by Hindu states to resist Muslim and other invaders and discusses the late emergence of Hindu nationalism in response to Muslim and European invaders and rulers, as well as the concept of 'one India.'
