What language did southern Indian Muslims speak?

There's no single answer to this question, as the languages spoken by Southern Indian Muslims vary greatly depending on their specific region and community.

Here are some factors that contribute to language diversity among Southern Indian Muslims:

* Regional Languages: Like any other population, Muslims in Southern India speak the dominant languages of their respective areas. This could include:

* Tamil: Predominant in Tamil Nadu

* Telugu: Dominant in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana

* Kannada: Dominant in Karnataka

* Malayalam: Dominant in Kerala

* Linguistic Influence: Some communities, particularly those with historic ties to trade or migration, might have additional linguistic influences. For example:

* Urdu: While not as prevalent as in North India, Urdu is still spoken by some communities, especially those with historical connections to the Mughal Empire or trade routes.

* Arabic: Used in religious contexts, especially for prayers and religious education.

* Persian: Has some historical influence in Southern India due to its association with the Mughal era.

* Dialectal Variations: Even within the same regional language, different communities may have their own unique dialects or variations.

Therefore, to understand the specific language spoken by a group of Southern Indian Muslims, you would need to consider their region, community, and any additional linguistic influences they might have.