Who were Moriscos in Spain?

Moriscos, a term meaning "Little Moors," were Spanish Muslims or their descendants who were baptized as Christians. Following the Reconquista, these individuals were often forced to choose between baptism and exile.12

While they nominally converted to Christianity, many Moriscos continued to practice Islam in secret. Because they maintained their own language, customs, and dress, they were viewed with deep suspicion by the Spanish authorities and the Spanish Inquisition. The Inquisition frequently persecuted them for their perceived lack of genuine faith, often punishing them for ignorance of their new religion or for continuing traditional Islamic practices.123

The tension between the Moriscos and the Spanish crown escalated over time, leading to revolts and eventually a royal order for their mass deportation. Between 1609 and 1614, approximately 300,000 Moriscos were expelled from Spain, marking a significant social and economic crisis for the regions they inhabited.134