Author: S. Nurul Hasan
R S Sharma/
Translator(s)/ Editors(s): Satish Chandra
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Year: 2012
Language: English
Pages: 335
ISBN/UPC (if available): 9780195696608
Description
This unique volume brings together essays of a distinguished and pioneering scholar S. Nurul Hasan. It investigates intensely debated areas in medieval Indian history historiography, nationalities along with state, religion, and ruling classes.
In doing so, the book offers a new interpretation of Akbar’s religious views, the role of zamindars, and the ‘Nur Jahan Junta’. The author also examines urban and rural life, the Afghan - Mughal conflict, and some important sources of late Mughal history. Satish Chandra’s insightful introduction discusses the personal and professional world of the legendary historian. This book will be important for teachers, students, and scholars of medieval Indian history.
COMMENTS:
Saiyid Nurul Hasan was a rare combination of academic abilities and intellectual dedication. He was an excellent teacher who spoke in a clear and convincing style.... Nurul Hasan contributed not only to teaching and research but also to building up a good history library at Aligarh.' - R.S. Sharma, Emeritus Professor, Department of History, Patna University
"This volume is a welcome initiative to bring together the papers of the late Professor S. Nurul Hasan, a major and influential scholar on medieval India, who was also a builder of institutions.... This work, edited by one of Nurul Hasan's close associates, Professor Satish Chandra, reflects that diversity.' - Muzaffar Alam, Carl Darling Buck Professor, Department of South Asian Languages and Civilizations, University of Chicago
'The publication of this volume will be a very welcome addition to the literature on medieval India. It will also fill a serious gap in our understanding of how the historiography of Mughal India developed, between the writings of the historians of the Allahabad School, and later writings from Aligarh.' - Mushirul Hasan, Vice Chancellor, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi
“a collection with an excellent introduction, of essays... Husan was perhaps the best example of... a unique combination of tradition and modernity.” – The Statesman
“[This book] is a striking reminder of the immense range of the scholar’s historical concerns and the immense ease with which he tackled and explained most complex and often controversial issus...” – Business Standard
About the Editor
Satish Chandra (b. 1922) is among a select band of historians who helped to give a new shape to Indian history after independence. He was Professor of History, Jawaharlal Nehru University and Vice Chairman and Chairman, University Grants Commission (1972-81). He taught at the Universities of Allahabad, Aligarh Muslim, Delhi and Rajasthan.
He was Smuts’ Visiting Professor, Cambridge University (1971) and Associated with many national and international agencies. He was secretary and later President, Indian History Congress (1973), Council Member, United Nations University, Tokyo (1980-86), Associate Director of Research, Maison des Sciences de I’Homme, Paris; Member, Executive Board, International Congress of Historical Sciences, Paris, etc. He was also Chairman of the Committee to review Civil Services Examination in Delhi. He had written and edited many books on Medieval Indian History, and the Indian Ocean History and published a large number of research articles in national and international journals.
Some of these have been brought together and published in three monographs. Presently, he is Executive Chairman, Maulana Azad Institute of Asian Studies, Calcutta and Secretary-cum-Treasurer, Society for Indian Ocean Studies. He is also the Secretary of the twelve volumes comprising History of India scheme prepared by the Indian History Congress.
Contents
Contents
Preface/R.S. Sharma
Introduction/Satish Chandra
Part I : THE HISTORIAN'S TASK :
1. Indian History : A Synoptic View
2. Medieval Indian History : Danger of Communal Interpretation and the Need for Reconsidering Priorities
3. Perspective on Regional History : Medieval Punjab
4. Value and Importance of Urban History
5. Historian and the Business Communities
Part II : STATE, RELIGION, AND THE RULING CLASS :
6. Aspects of State and Religion in Medieval India
7. The Mahzar of Akbar's Reign
8. Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi and Mughal Politics
9. The Problem of Nationalities in Medieval India
10. New Light on the Relations of the Early Mughal Rulers with their Nobility
11. The Theory of the Nurjahan 'Junta' : A Critical Examination
12. Zamindars Under the Mughals
13. Three Studies of the Zamindari System
14. Aspects of the Zamindari System in the Deccan (169.5-1707)
15. Further Light on Zamindars Under the Mughals : A Case Study of (Mirza) Raja Jai Singh Under Shahjahan
Part III : RURAL ECONOMY AND TOWNS :
16. Revenue Administration of the Jagir of Sahsaram by Farid (Sher Shah)
17. The Pattern of Agricultural Production in the Territories of Amber (c.1650-1750)
18. Prices of Food Grains in the Territories of Amber (c.1650-1750)
19. Agra
20. The Morphology of a Medieval Indian City : A Case Study of Shahjahanabad in the Eighteenth and Early Nineteenth Century
21. Thoughts on Agrarian Relations in Mughal India
Part IV : TRACES FROM THE PAST :
22. Lataif-i-Quddusi : A Contemporary Afghan Source for the Study of Afghan-Mughal Conflict
23. Abu'l Fadl
24. Nigar Nama-i-Munshi : A Valuable Collection of Documents of Aurangzeb's Reign
25. Du Jardin Papers : A Valuable Source for the Economic History of Northern India, 1778-87
Index