How did the Muslims initially treat conquered people in India?

Answer 1

This is a controversial question, so see the diversity of answers below.

Answer 1: Treated Indians Well

Many non Muslims; who used to attack Islam and Muslims; claim that Muslims treated them with cruelty and discrimination. The truth is that they treated them fairly and with respect. They persuaded them to worship God; the Creator; as the one and only one God. They never forced Indians to convert to Islam. It is a major Islam teaching that no compulsion in religion. Refer to question below.

Muslims treated all non Muslims with tolerance and forgiveness and mutual respect. Muslims never conquered or tried to eliminate any religion. It was the teachings of Islam religion just to free the will of people to be able to practice the religion they are convinced with. It is a basic principle in Quran that no compulsion in religion.

Qur'an says (meaning English translation):

"There shall be no compulsion in [acceptance of] the religion. The right course has become clear from the wrong. So whoever disbelieves in Taghut and believes in Allah (God and same God in Christianity and Judaism) has grasped the most trustworthy handhold with no break in it. And Allah is Hearing and Knowing." (2:256)

Some claim that Muslims forced Indians to convert to Islam which is not true. Otherwise, how after staying in India for many hundreds of years still the wide majority of Indians are still on their original beliefs.

Refer to related question below.

Answer 2: Treated Indians Badly

The only policy of ISLAM is CONVERT OR DIE, any that failed to convert were killed this how the religion was initially forced into the unwilling tribes of the Middle East. This is the same reason why anyone questioning if the "medieval" doctrines in the Koran is branded a blasphemer and killed. Muslim tried to eliminate India religion.

Answer 3: Depends on the Ruler

Depending on the Muslim ruler of India, there were events of forcible conversion. King Aurangzeb is well-known in India for this act as well as destroying major Hindu Temples such as the Kashi Vishwanath temple, Kesava Deo temple and Somnath temple. His grandfather, Akbar the Great was known for permitting the free and equal practice of religion. The majority of Islamic converts in India came from the Untouchable and Sudra Hindu Castes who never would have had a chance to be well-treated in Hindu society. Since, in Islam, all men were equal before God, conversion became an easy escape from this social suppression. This was welcomed by the lower classes. [Read more in the Discussion]

Answer 4: Treated Indians Well

Muslims treat all non-Muslims; irrelevant to their faiths; with tolerance, forgiveness, and mutual respect. This stems from the Islam teachings per Muslims holy book Quran and per prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) teachings. Muslims treat Christians and Jews and all non Muslims kindly and with tolerance so far they don't attack Muslims, they don't expel them from their lands and homes, and/or they don't fight them. Quran; Muslims holy book, and prophet Muhammad (PBUH) call for kind treatment and with tolerance with all non-Muslims. Muslims follow the Islam teachings that no compulsion in religion. They conquered land but never conquered people. It was their aim to free the will people and not to exploit them or exploit their resources. Refer to the example of Spain. Muslims transferred to Spain all kinds of development and technologies. Refer to questions below.
Muslims treat all non-Muslims; irrelevant to their faiths; with tolerance, forgiveness, and mutual respect. This stems from the Islam teachings per Muslims holy book Quran and per prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) teachings. Muslims treat Christians and Jews and all non Muslims kindly and with tolerance so far they don't attack Muslims, they don't expel them from their lands and homes, and/or they don't fight them. Quran; Muslims holy book, and prophet Muhammad (PBUH) call for kind treatment and with tolerance with all non-Muslims. Muslims follow the Islam teachings that no compulsion in religion. They conquered land but never conquered people. It was their aim to free the will people and not to exploit them or exploit their resources. Refer to the example of Spain. Muslims transferred to Spain all kinds of development and technologies. Refer to questions below.

Answer 2

Depends on the Ruler
Depending on the Muslim ruler of India, there were events of forcible conversion. King Aurangzeb is well-known in India for this act as well as destroying major Hindu Temples such as the Kashi Vishwanath temple, Kesava Deo temple and Somnath temple. His grandfather, Akbar the Great was known for permitting the free and equal practice of religion. The majority of Islamic converts in India came from the Untouchable and Sudra Hindu Castes who never would have had a chance to be well-treated in Hindu society. Since, in Islam, all men were equal before God, conversion became an easy escape from this social suppression. This was welcomed by the lower classes. [Read more in the Discussion]

Answer 3

Muslims treat all non-Muslims; irrelevant to their faiths; with tolerance, forgiveness, and mutual respect. This stems from the Islam teachings per Muslims holy book Quran and per prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) teachings. Muslims treat Christians and Jews and all non Muslims kindly and with tolerance so far they don't attack Muslims, they don't expel them from their lands and homes, and/or they don't fight them. Quran; Muslims holy book, and prophet Muhammad (PBUH) call for kind treatment and with tolerance with all non-Muslims. Muslims follow the Islam teachings that no compulsion in religion. They conquered land but never conquered people. It was their aim to free the will people and not to exploit them or exploit their resources. Refer to the example of Spain. Muslims transferred to Spain all kinds of development and technologies. Refer to questions below.