Was Islam spread by the sword?
No.
For example:
Spread of
Islam in Burma:
[6]
Islam is a minority religion in Burma,[1] practiced by 4% of the population, according to the Myanmar official statistics.[2]
History[edit]
Royal Muslim soldiers[edit]
When the famous Razadarit attacked and conquered Dagon (Yangon), Muslim soldiers defended from the Burmese side.
Muslim artillerymen and riflemen served regularly in Burmese army and sometimes even as royal bodyguards because the Burmese kings never trust their own race. This is understandable because there was the custom that time that he who kills the king becomes a king. And in Burmese history sometimes the son killed his own father and brothers killed each other to become a king.
Even the first Burmese King, Anawrahta had killed his half-brother, King Sokkate. Sokkate had also forced and dethroned his own father King Kunhsaw.[81] The army of King Anawratha (11th century) already boasted Indian units and bodyguards, Muslims apparently among them.[82] When Tabinshwehti attacked Martaban in 1541 AD, many Muslims resisted strongly. When Bayintnaung successfully conquered Ayuthaya (Thailand) in 1568-1569 AD he use the help of Muslim artillerymen. King Alaungpaya 1752-1760 AD conquered Syrim. Muslim prisoners of war were forced to serve in his army.[83]
Pagan Min 1846-1853 AD appointed U Shwe Oh, a Burmese Muslim, as the Governor of the Capital city, Amarapura. His Grand Vizier, U Paing (also a Burmese Muslim) who is noted for his efforts in building a two-mile long bridge, made of teakwood across the Taung Tha Man Lake. It is still useful and now became a scenic area attracting picnickers and tourists. In 1850, the Governor of Bagan was also said to be a Muslim.[84] Burmese kings employed a lot of Muslims in his inner circle: Royal bodyguards, eunuchs, couriers, interpreters and advisers.[85]
Konbaung Dynasty[edit]
At the beginning of the Konbaung dynasty, King Alaungpaya attacked Mon peoples near Pyay. The Mon warrior Talapan was assisted in the defense by Muslim soldiers. In 1755 Alaungpaya conquered Dagon and renamed it Yangon, meaning 'The End of Strife'. The Mon soldiers surrendered, along with four Muslim rich men who surrendered with expensive presents, munitions and four warships.[86] Following this, Alaungpaya attacked Thanlyin and captured many Muslim artillery men,[87]who were later allowed to serve in his army.Alaungpaya captured four warships and Muslim soldiers. \[88] After Alaungpayacaptured Bago, a parade was held in which Pathi Muslim soldiers were allowed to march in their traditional uniforms.[89]
King Bodawpaya Bodaw U Wine (Padon Mayor, Padon Min) (17811819) of the Konbaung Dynasty founded Amarapura as his new capital in 1783. He was the first Burmese King who recognized his Muslim subjects officially by Royal decree, appointing specific ministers to give judgment regarding conflicts amongst his Burmese Muslim subjects.[90]
Sir Henry Yule saw many Muslims serving as eunuchs in the Burmese court while on a diplomatic mission there.[91][92][93][94]These Muslim eunuchs came from Arakan.[95][96]
After deposing his brother following the Second Anglo-Burmese War, King Mindon Min showed favor to the Burmese Muslims. Several Muslims were giving rank in the military and civil administrations. In 1853 King Mindon held a donation ceremony in which he ordered the preparation of halal food for his 700 Muslim horse cavalry soldiers. Upon the founding of Mandalay, several quarters were granted to Muslims for settlement. Also at this time, Mindon Min allocated space for several mosques, including the Kone Yoe mosque. He also donated teak pillars from his palace for the construction of a mosque in the North Obo district of Mandalay, and began constructing of a mosque in his own palace to accommodate the Muslim members of his bodyguards. Finally, he assisted in building a rest house in Mecca for Burmese subjects performing Hajj.[97]
Following the defeat of King Thibaw Min by the British in 1885, Burmese Muslims formed many groups organizations for Burmese social welfare and religious affairs. The total population of Muslims increased sharply during the British rule in Burma, as a result of the Indian diaspora
Islam in Burma - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
I don't see any sword in spread of Islam in Burma.
Regards
