The bulk of Muslims are descendants of migrants from the Iranian Plateau or Arabs.[227][page needed] Conversions occurred for non-religious reasons of pragmatism and patronage such as social mobility among the Muslim ruling elite or for relief from taxes[2][227] Conversion was a result of the actions of Sunni Sufi saints and involved a genuine change of heart.[226] Conversion came from Buddhists and the en masse conversions of lower castes for social liberation and as a rejection of the oppressive Hindu caste strictures.[227] A combination, initially made under duress followed by a genuine change of heart.[226] As a socio-cultural process of diffusion and integration over an extended period of time into the sphere of the dominant Muslim civilisation and global polity at large.[227]