德里苏丹国时期印度奴隶的地位及其身份演变

The Status and Identity Evolution of Indian Slaves during the Delhi Sultanate Period

德里苏丹国时期印度奴隶因穆斯林政权的建立呈现出不同的特色。连年的战乱及伊斯兰教与印度本土宗教的冲突使奴隶的数量急剧增长,奴隶来源亦更加多元和广泛。这一时期印度奴隶的地位较历史上其他时期有所改善,奴隶的身份和地位呈现出朝向特权阶级的向上的“流动性”。伊斯兰教所宣扬的平等思想和苏非圣人们的说教为这种“流动”提供了理论上的可能,以战争为主题的时代背景为这种“流动”提供了实践的机会,初来乍到的穆斯林统治者在印度次大陆立足未稳的客观现实,以及对当地宗教、文化及自然环境所表现出来的“水土不服”为这种“流动”提供了实现的可能。在穆斯林政权建立之后,一部分精英奴隶由于表现出色,被主人解除了奴隶身份,在政治地位上显现出明显的优越性,他们跻身统治阶级,成为封建贵族,极个别奴隶还成功问鼎权力的顶端。一部分奴隶为满足穆斯林宫廷需要,变身为手工业者或艺人,有力地推动了社会经济和文化的发展。不过这一时期绝大多数奴隶的地位并没有发生根本性的变化,他们虽然皈依了伊斯兰教,摆脱了印度社会的种姓压迫,实现了身份的转变,但依然生活在社会的最底层,依然是被压迫、被剥削的对象。

The establishment of Muslim regime during the Delhi Sultanate period made Indian slavery take on different characteristics.The sources of slaves also became more diversified and extensive.In this period,the status of Indian slaves improved compared with other periods in history.The status of slaves underwent a process of“mobility”towards the privileged class.After the establishment of Muslim regime,some elite slaves were removed from slavery status by their masters because of their outstanding performance and hence acquired obvious superiority in political status.Some of them entered the ruling class and became feudal aristocrats.A few slaves even succeeded in winning the supreme power.In order to meet the needs of Muslim court,some slaves became craftsmen or artists,which greatly promoted the development of social economy and culture.However,the status of the majority of slaves did not change fundamentally during this period.Although they converted to Islam,got rid of the caste oppression in Indian society and realized the transformation of identity,but they still lived at the bottom of society and were still oppressed and exploited.