Indian Neighbours in Medina from the 11th to 13th Hijri Century / 17th to 19th Gregorian Century

This study explores the dimensions of Indian Muslims’ migration to Medina, From the eleventh century AH to the thirteenth century AH / the seventeenth to the nineteenth century CE. shedding light on the city’s status as a religious and intellectual hub that attracted residents from across the Islamic world. It demonstrates how the concept of mujawara (settling near the Prophet’s Mosque), initially intended as a temporary stay, evolved into a multifaceted civilizational phenomenon. Indian Muslims played a significant role in stimulating the intellectual, economic, and social life of Medina. The study also highlights their contribution to building a web of cultural and social relationships with the local population, thus reinforcing civilizational interaction between the Hijaz and the Indian subcontinent. Furthermore, it reinterprets the phenomenon of mujawara through a humanistic and spiritual lens, transcending narrow political readings. Methodologically, the study adopts a descriptive-analytical and historical approach, drawing on archival sources from the Ottoman Archives, along with Arabic and Indian references. The discussion is organized around a historical overview of Indian migration to Medina, an analysis of the religious, political, and economic motives behind mujawara, and an examination of the activities and influence of Indian settlers on local society in Medina, followed by a conclusion and supporting appendices.