India before the Arrival of Turks and Arabs

Before the arrival of Turks and Arabs, India was not a completely Hindu country. The Indian subcontinent has a rich and diverse history of various civilizations, cultures, and religions. The arrival of Turks and Arabs brought new influences and contributed to the cultural and religious diversity of the region.

Indus Valley Civilization:
- The roots of Indian civilization can be traced back to the Indus Valley Civilization, which existed around 2500 BCE.
- The people of this civilization followed a polytheistic religion and worshipped various deities.

Ancient Vedic Period:
- The Vedic period, which began around 1500 BCE, saw the emergence of Hinduism as a major religion in the Indian subcontinent.
- The Vedic texts, such as the Rigveda, formed the basis of Hindu religious and social practices.
- However, it is important to note that during this period, there were also other religious and philosophical schools of thought, such as Buddhism and Jainism, which had a significant presence in India.

Maurya Empire:
- The Maurya Empire, under the rule of Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE, saw the spread of Buddhism across the subcontinent.
- Ashoka embraced Buddhism and promoted its teachings throughout his empire.

Gupta Empire:
- The Gupta Empire, which flourished from the 4th to the 6th century CE, was a period of great cultural and intellectual development in India.
- Hinduism regained prominence during this period, and the Gupta kings patronized Hindu temples and religious institutions.

Arrival of Turks and Arabs:
- The arrival of Turks and Arabs in India began in the 8th century CE with the Arab invasions and later the establishment of the Delhi Sultanate by the Turks in the 12th century CE.
- The Turks and Arabs brought Islam to India and established Muslim dynasties, such as the Delhi Sultanate and later the Mughal Empire.
- As a result, Islam became a significant religion in India, alongside Hinduism and other indigenous religions.

Conclusion:
India was not a completely Hindu country before the arrival of Turks and Arabs. It had a diverse religious landscape with the presence of various indigenous religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. The arrival of Turks and Arabs brought Islam to India and contributed to the religious and cultural diversity of the subcontinent.