Part of: Miscellaneous Indian Gk set 372

Hindus and ..... did not get along in India.

Category: Miscellaneous Indian Gk

Hint: Consider the historical context of religious conflicts in India.

Correct Answer: C) Muslims

Exam Relevance: UPSC, SSC, Banking, Railway

Difficulty: Moderate

Explanations:

The historical relations between Hindus and Muslims in India have been complex and multifaceted, characterized by both periods of coexistence and significant communal tensions. The question focuses on the historical context of religious conflicts in India, specifically the interactions between Hindus and Muslims.

Historically, the relationship between Hindus and Muslims in India has been marked by several significant events and periods of conflict. The arrival of Muslim rulers in India, starting with the Delhi Sultanate in the 12th century and continuing through the Mughal Empire, brought about a new dynamic in the religious landscape of the subcontinent. While there were instances of peaceful coexistence and cultural exchange, there were also periods of religious persecution and conflict.

One of the most notable periods of conflict was during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in the 17th century, who is often criticized for his policies that were perceived as anti-Hindu. This period saw the destruction of Hindu temples and the imposition of the jizya tax on non-Muslims, which led to significant communal tensions. The decline of the Mughal Empire and the rise of regional powers further exacerbated these tensions, leading to more localized conflicts between Hindu and Muslim communities.

During the colonial period, the British policy of "divide and rule" further exacerbated communal tensions. The partition of India in 1947, which led to the creation of Pakistan, was a direct result of these long-standing communal tensions and resulted in one of the largest mass migrations in human history, with significant loss of life and property.

While other religious communities in India, such as Christians and Jews, have also had interactions with Hindus, these have not been marked by the same level of significant communal conflict as that between Hindus and Muslims. Christians have generally had a more peaceful relationship with Hindus, and Jews have had a relatively small presence in India with little historical conflict.

Therefore, the correct answer to the question is that Hindus and Muslims did not get along in India, reflecting the significant historical communal tensions and conflicts between these two major religious communities.

Option Analysis:
  • Option A: This option is incorrect. While there have been some conflicts between Hindus and Christians, the historical record shows that the most significant communal tensions in India have been between Hindus and Muslims. Christians have generally not been a major source of communal conflict in the same way as Muslims.
  • Option B: This option is incorrect. Buddhists and Hindus have historically had a relatively harmonious relationship, with Buddhism originating from Hinduism. There have been no significant communal conflicts between these two communities in India.
  • Option C: This option is correct. The historical relations between Hindus and Muslims in India have been marked by significant communal tensions and conflicts, particularly during periods of political instability and religious zealotry. This has been a recurring theme in Indian history, especially during the medieval and colonial periods.
  • Option D: This option is incorrect. Jews have had a relatively small presence in India and have generally not been a significant source of communal conflict. Their interactions with Hindus have been largely peaceful and characterized by mutual respect.

Mnemonic: H-M: Hindu-Muslim, Historical Mismatch

Back to Miscellaneous Indian Gk set 372 – Practice all questions