Chapter VI

THE SPREAD OF ISLAM AMONG THE CHRISTIAN NATIONS IN EUROPE UNDER THE TURKS.

Relations of the Turks to their Christian subjects during the first
two centuries of their rule: toleration extended to the Greek
Church by Muḥammad II: the benefits of Ottoman rule: its
disadvantages, the tribute-children, the capitation-tax, tyranny of
individuals. Forced conversion rare. Proselytising efforts made by
the Turks. Circumstances that favoured the spread of Islam:
degraded condition of the Greek Church: failure of the attempt to
Protestantise the Greek Church: oppression of the Greek clergy:
moral superiority of the Ottomans: imposing character of their
conquests. Conversion of Christian slaves.—Islam in Albania,
conquest of the country, independent character of its people,
gradual decay of the Christian faith, and its causes;—in Servia,
alliance of the Servians with the Turks, conversions mainly from
among the nobles except in Old Servia;—in Montenegro;—in Bosnia,
the Bogomiles, points of similarity between the Bogomilian heresy
and the Muslim creed, conversion to Islam;—in Crete, conversion in
the ninth century, oppression of the Venetian rule, conquered by
the Turks, conversions to Islam 145

CHAPTER VII.

THE SPREAD OF ISLAM IN PERSIA AND CENTRAL ASIA.

Religious condition of Persia at the time of the Arab conquest.
Islam welcomed by many sections of the population. Points of
similarity between the older faiths and Islam. Toleration.
Conversions to Islam. The Ismāʻīlians and their missionary system.
Islam in Central Asia and Afghanistān 206

CHAPTER VIII.

THE SPREAD OF ISLAM AMONG THE MONGOLS AND TATARS.

Account of the Mongol conquests. Buddhism, Christianity and Islam
in rivalry for the allegiance of the Mongols. Their original
religion, Shamanism, described. Spread of Buddhism, of
Christianity, and of Islam respectively among the Mongols.
Difficulties that stood in the way of Islam. Cruel treatment of the
Muslims by some Mongol rulers. Early converts to Islam. Baraka
Khān, the first Mongol prince converted. Conversion of the Īlkhāns.
Conversion of the Chaghatāy Mongols. History of Islam under the
Golden Horde: Ūzbek Khān: failure of attempts to convert the
Russians. Spread of Islam in modern times in the Russian Empire.
The conversion of the Tatars of Siberia 218