Author: Abdul Halim Shrar
Rosie Llewellyn - Jones/Veena Talwar Oldenburg
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Year: 2010
Language: English
Pages: 870
ISBN/UPC (if available): 0-19-566334-9
Description
This omnibus brings together, for the first time, three well-known works on the history and culture of one of India's premier cities during colonial rule. Together they examine the complex relationship between the British and the Nawabi, which resulted in the legendary 'pomp and refinement of Lucknow.'
The works included in this omnibus are: 'Lucknow: The Last Phase of an Oriental Culture': 'A Fatal Friendship: The Nawabs, the British and the City of Lucknow'; and 'The Making of Colonial Lucknow'.
'Lucknow: The Last Phase of an Oriental Culture' by Abdul Halim Sharar (1860-1926) is the translation of a collection of essays which first appeared in the journal 'Dil Gudaz' in Urdu from 1913 onwards. The essays describe the culture and way of life of the people of Lucknow during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. This classic work has long been recognized as the most authentic and circumstantial account of its subject.
In 'A Fatal Friendship: The Nawabs, the British and the City of Lucknow', Rosie Llewellyn-Jones examines the fascinating interaction between two cultures—the British and the Nawabi. Besides touching on the political aspects of Nawabi rule in the province of Oudh, the author discusses the ethos and architecture of Lucknow in its heyday: between the period of the first Nawab in the early eighteenth century, and the last Nawab who was deposed by the British in 1856.
'The Making of Colonial Lucknow' challenges conventional views about the extent of British intervention in India after the Mutiny. Veena Talwar Oldenburg contends that the supposedly neutral political, economic, and physical changes made in the city at that time constituted an aggressive attempt at controlling the population. Positing the reconstruction of Lucknow as a paradigm of urbanization of Lucknow as a paradigm of urbanization in the mid-nineteenth century colonial setting, the author suggests that such changes continue to be accepted by Indian administrators even today.
Taken together, these three well-researched books provide different yet complementary points of view on the history and culture of Lucknow at a time when the city and its court saw the late Mughal civilization reach the peak of its splendor and sophistication.
In Preface written especially for this edition, the authors situate their works in today's context, this underlining their continuing relevance.
Contents
Preface to the Omnibus Edition
Note to the Oxford India Paperback Edition
Recent books on Lucknow
List of Illustrations
Introduction
A Note on Abdul Halim Sharar
A Note on the First Edition
A Note on the Second Edition
Faizabad and the Early History of Avadh: Burhan ul Mulk and the Predecessors of Avadh Dynasty
The Origins and Early History of Lucknow
Burhan ul Mulk, Safdar Jang and the Foundation of the Avadh
Shuja ud Daula and Asaf ud Daula
Sadat Ali Khan and Ghazi ud Din Haidar
Nasir ud Din Haidar and Muhammad Ali Shah
Amjad Ali Shah, Wajid Ali shah and the End of the Dynasty's Rule--Urdu Drama
Wajid Ali Shah in Matiya Burj--The Mutiny
Mirza Birjis Qadar--Urdu Poetry
The Development of Urdu Poetry—‘Masnavi, Marsiya’ and Forms of ‘Humorous Verse
The Development of Urdu Prose
'Dastan Goi', The Art of Story-Telling
Islamic Studies
The Development of Yunani Medicine
The Significance of the Persian Language
Scripts--Calligraphy and the Urdu Press
The Arts of Combat and Self-Defence
Animal Combats--Beasts of Prey and other Quadrupeds
Bird-Fighting and Pigeon-Flying
Parrots and Kite-Flying
The Origin and Growth of North Indian Music
The Development of Light Classical and Instrumental Music
Dance and the Development of the Kathak School
Light Entertainment
Courtesans and Theatre
'Soz'--The Chanting of Dirges
Bands, Processions and the Telling of Time
Gastronomy
Delicacies and Confectionery
More Delicacies and Confectionary
Food Refinements and Water Cooling
The Evolution of Men's Dress
Forms of Headwear
More Headwear
Forms of Trousers (Pyjamas)
Footwear and Female Fashion
Winter Clothing, New Fashions and Jewelry
The Building of Houses
Domestic Furnishings
Hair Fashions, Etiquette and Courtesans
More on Etiquette
Social Gatherings and Forms of Greeting
Everyday Speech in Urdu
Wit and Female Celebrations
Festive Celebrations
The Wedding Ceremony
The Wedding Procession
Funeral Services
Forms of Religious Assembly
Betel Leaf, its Appurtenances and Tobacco
Preparing and Serving Betel Leaf
Utensils for Everyday Use
Conveyances and Dress for Outings
Pottery
Notes
Revised Notes
Bibliography
Some Recent Publications on Lucknow
Index