Page 188 - DILMUN NO 20

Historical Links between lndia and the Gulf

As shown above, much of lndo-Gulf contact until the Muslim conquest of Sind
had been confined to trade exchange. But with the inclusion of Sind and part
of Gujarat into the lslamic Empire, the two regions became politically linked;
a development which paved the way for greater contacts and, therefore, for
strong socio-cultural relations and intellectual collaboration.

Such multi-form contacts had significant impact on both parties, Arabs and
lndians. Arab impact on lndia included the spread of lslam as a religion and
a way of life far beyond the territories of Sind into Southern lndia and Bengal.
The architecture of the Western and Southern lndia was tremendously
affected by mosque construction. Also affected by the long process of
intermixture between the lndians and Arabs were the custom and habits of
the Indian Muslims. However, the most striking feature of Arab impact is the
influence exercised by Arabic and its literature on the lndian languages,
particularly Sindhi, Urdu, Punjabi, and Konkani. Due to the arrival in lndia of
a considerable number of scholars, preachers, merchants, and poets from
Arabia, many Arabic words, terms, names, and literary forms entered the
lndian languages. 27

As the Arabs came in direct contact with Indian cultures, philosophies, and
social traditions at this period, their own culture was also affected. This can
be proved by the adoption, on the part of the Arabs, of the lndian numerals
known in the West as Arabic numerals, and by "the entrance of many hndian
words and Sanskrit terms, stories, and proverbs in the Arabic language and
literature'. 28 ln addition, the impact of lndia on habits associated with food,
drink, and clothing must not be forgotten. ١n fact, Arabia's trade links to lndia
played a role in determining hte material used by the people of Arabia in their
costume and cuisine.

ln terms of intellectual collaboration, lndo-Gulf relations witnessed their
golden age with the establishment of the Abbasid Caliphate in Baghdad in
750 AD., It was in the Abbasid era that much of the fruits of lndian learning
were transmitted to the Arabs through the translation of a large number of
lndian books on literature, philosophy, maths, medicine, and astronomy into
Arabic. It was also during this period that many Arab geographers, historians,
and travellers took a greater interest in exploring lndia. A number of them