The account you're replying to was created 49 minutes ago and has 2 comments, both on this thread, one already flagged and dead. Please don't waste your time engaging bait.

Now re-answer without being in total denial.

I see similar comments about my home town of San Francisco and I don't act all in denial like you do. I know why it's happening, I'm aware that it's a reality. People have solutions. Some have ideas.

But you're in denial.

You'll never improve if you can't admit there's a problem.

"700 years of Islamic occupation" is just false. Some Muslim dynasties began through conquest, as many dynasties throughout Indian history did. But over centuries, Muslims integrated, intermarried, adopted local languages and customs, and became part of Indian society. Muslim-ruled states relied heavily on Hindu generals, officials, and allies, and their wars were largely fought over territory and power, not as some continuous occupation or religious war against Hindus.

Criticizing specific rulers is fine. But Indian Muslims are indigenous to India, and their ancestors converted for many reasons, including Sufi influence, social mobility, and escape from caste discrimination.

Of note, Mughal India accounted for roughly 20–25% of global output. It was British colonial rule that exploited and stole insane amounts of wealth and led to India’s economic decline. Comparing centuries of complex Indo-Hindu-Muslim history with British colonial occupation and extraction makes no sense. And calling Indian Islam a foreign invasion is misplaced bigotry.

Mughal India was roughly 20–25% of global output. It was British colonial rule that exploited and stole insane amounts of wealth and led to India’s economic decline. Comparing centuries of complex Indo-Hindu-Muslim history with British colonial occupation and extraction makes no sense.

Some Muslim dynasties began through conquest, as many dynasties throughout Indian history did. But over centuries, Muslims integrated, intermarried, adopted local languages and customs, and became part of Indian society. Muslim-ruled states relied heavily on Hindu generals, officials, and allies, and their wars were largely fought over territory and power, not as some continuous occupation or religious war against Hindus.

Indian Islam is not a foreign invasion that destroyed. Indian Muslims are indigenous to India, and their ancestors converted for many reasons, including Sufi influence, social mobility, and escape from caste discrimination.

Even though pollution in India is bad and getting worse everyday, smog in Delhi is/was an exception, not the national norm (even among tier 1 cities, let alone tier 2 and below). That too not year round (though I must say Delhi/NCR is increasingly becoming unliveable).

What I've learnt in this thread is the European colonialism was the only one that didn't spread through good vibes.

The Islamic period in India was one of the most prosperous periods in India’s history, ever. India was responsible for 25% of the worlds GDP during Mughal Emperor Jahangirs reign. The decline of Indian economy is directly a consequence of British Policies.

Calling Islam in India "Islamic colonialism" is not accurate. Colonial rule generally involves a foreign power governing a territory for the benefit of an external homeland, maintaining separation from the local population, and transferring wealth.

The Delhi Sultanates and Mughal Empire were based in India. Their rulers spent and reinvested revenue there, adopted Indian customs, intermarried with local elites, and depended heavily on Hindu generals, officials, bankers, and allies. Indigenous banking networks were integral to the Mughal state, which is very different from an overseas colonial administration stealing wealth for a distant metropole.

Criticizing bad rulers is fine. Rebellions were brutally crushed and heavy taxes imposed. But that is just like every pre-modern empire. Hindu and Muslim rulers alike conquered territory, exploited peasants, and fought rivals.

British rule was completely different. India was subordinated and resources were stolen and redirected toward Britain. India went from being one of the wealthiest nations under the Mughals to a carved out husk after the British were done.