Final answer:
Religious tensions between Hindus and Muslims in the subcontinent were exacerbated by Islamic conquests, the imposition of the jizya tax, and differing religious policies of rulers, all of which ultimately led to the partition of India into two nations: India and Pakistan, causing significant demographic and political changes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The religious movements that hardened the attitudes of Hindus and Muslims towards each other in the subcontinent include the Islamic conquests and the religious policies of various rulers, as well as the movements around independence and the partition of India. During the period of Islamic invasions and rule, the subcontinent saw an increase in religious diversity, with the Muslim rulers generally allowing religious freedom for Hindus but also imposing the jizya tax on non-Muslims. Rulers like Akbar the Great worked to create a hybrid Indo-Islamic culture, while later rulers such as Aurangzeb imposed stricter Islamic practices, fueling Hindu resistance and support for alternative powers like the Marathas.
By the time of independence, religious tensions had escalated to a point where violent conflicts between Hindus and Muslims became common. The proposal for partition by Muhammad Ali Jinnah and the subsequent acceptance of this plan by leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru resulted in the establishment of two separate nations, India and Pakistan, leading to large-scale migration and significant bloodshed. The impact of these movements on the subcontinent has been profound, influencing its demography, politics, and the inter-religious dynamics to this day.