These
number about fifteen hundred.
[5] It is the secret of the rapid conversions in ancient days among the
poor of the Roman and Persian Empires, and it is the secret of those now
taking place among the low-caste Indians.
[6] The Mohammedan revolts in Yunan and Kashgar, repressed with great
ferocity by the Chinese, have in late years temporarily diminished the
Mohammedan census; but there seems good reason to believe that they are
making steady progress in the Empire.
[7] Compare M. Huc's account of their origin.
[8] Compare Dr. Badger's History of Oman and Sale's Koran.
[9] Lady Anne Blunt's _Pilgrimage to Nejd_. Appendix.
CHAPTER II.
THE MODERN QUESTION OF THE CALIPHATE.
About the year 1515 of our era (921 of the Hejra), Selim I., Padishah of
the Ottoman Turks and Emperor of Constantinople, finding himself the
most powerful prince of his day in Islam, and wishing still further to
consolidate his rule, conceived the idea of reviving in his own person
the extinct glories of the Caliphate. He had more than one claim to be
considered their champion by orthodox Mohammedans, for he was the
grandson of that Mahomet II. who had finally extinguished the Roman
Empire of the East, and he had himself just ended a successful campaign
against the heretical Shah of Persia, head of the Sect of Ali.
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