Why we did not debate Islam

Almost all religions which came to India before Islam had it fair share of struggle. They came with weapons of Kushans from central asia trying to establish Buddhism or they also took form of civilized debates which happened in the societies like Shankarcharya and Mandana Mishras. 

Then what happened in case of Islam. Islam I belive did not show its argumentative face which was there in other religions in addition to its imperialistic face which drove its expansion. 

Would Ramanuja or shankaracharya been able to debate the maulvis who came from turkistan or persia. I am shore the results would have been very different as there would be always a sword dangling somehwere