ABSTRACT
Christian–Muslim relations developed significantly in a number of areas during the encounter of European Christians with Muslims in the Mughal Empire in South Asia, beginning in the sixteenth century. By the end of the Mughal dynasty in 1857, the British Empire had established itself as dominant, leading Muslim scholars to debate whether India had ceased to be dar al-Islam and had become dar al-harb. The Muslims who dominated trade on the Indian Ocean at the time of the Portuguese arrival likewise were very diverse in ethnic background, political affiliation and religious practice. The first Jesuits, led by Francis Xavier, arrived in India in 1542, working primarily among various Christian communities but also beginning to proselytise among the Hindus. The arrival of Europeans in South Asia resulted in Christian–Muslim interaction in the field of scientific and historical knowledge. After the Revolt of 1857, the scientific dialogue was repeated in Bengal by 'Abdul Latif Khan.
