Abbasid Decline and the Spread of Islamic Civilization to South and Southeast Asia

Conversion Patterns

•Low and outcast Hindus were welcomed.

•Buddhists were the most numerous converts.

•Buddhist spiritual decline had debased its practices and turned interest to the vigorous new religion of Islam.

•Others converted to escape taxes or through intermarriage.

•Muslim migrants fleeing 13th and 14th century Mongol incursions also increased the Islamic community.