Q. India's earliest contact with Islam was established through
✅ Correct Answer: (D)
Arab merchants of Malabar coast
Explanation:
India's earliest contact with Islam was through trade rather than invasions.
- Arab merchants had been visiting the Malabar Coast (Southwest India) since the 7th century, establishing commercial and cultural relations.
- This led to the spread of Islam through peaceful trade interactions and the formation of Muslim communities in coastal areas.
Why other options are incorrect:
- (A) Turkish invasions of the 11th-12th centuries – These came much later and marked the start of Islamic rule in northern India but not the earliest contact.
- (B) Arab invasion of Sindh in the 7th century – The invasion by Muhammad bin Qasim happened in the early 8th century (around 712 AD), which is later than the start of trade contacts.
- (C) Sufi saints and Arab travellers – Sufi saints influenced the spread of Islam later, especially during the Delhi Sultanate and Mughal periods.
So, the earliest contact was through (D) Arab merchants of Malabar coast.
Explanation by: Mr. Dubey
India's earliest contact with Islam was through trade rather than invasions.
- Arab merchants had been visiting the Malabar Coast (Southwest India) since the 7th century, establishing commercial and cultural relations.
- This led to the spread of Islam through peaceful trade interactions and the formation of Muslim communities in coastal areas.
Why other options are incorrect:
- (A) Turkish invasions of the 11th-12th centuries – These came much later and marked the start of Islamic rule in northern India but not the earliest contact.
- (B) Arab invasion of Sindh in the 7th century – The invasion by Muhammad bin Qasim happened in the early 8th century (around 712 AD), which is later than the start of trade contacts.
- (C) Sufi saints and Arab travellers – Sufi saints influenced the spread of Islam later, especially during the Delhi Sultanate and Mughal periods.
So, the earliest contact was through (D) Arab merchants of Malabar coast.