The Mughals of India

The Mughals of India explores the grandest and longest lasting empire in Indian history. This innovative book examines the Mughal presence in India from 1526 to the mid–eighteenth century through four new entry points: the sources of the Mughal state s legitimacy; the evolution and meaning of court etiquette; the world of the imperial Mughal family; and the interaction between folklore and court culture.

Based upon a wide range of sources court chronicles, official documents, poetry, paintings, travellers accounts, bazaar gossip and folktales the book takes account of both the tensions and harmonies within the court and the durability of the empire s structures, together with the transient moments of the Mughals′ world and its lasting legacy in today s India.

Acknowledgements.

Chronology of Emperors.

Introduction.

1 For Conquest and Governance: Legitimacy, Religion, and Political Culture.

2 Etiquette and Empire.

3 The World of the Mughal Family.

4 Folklore and Mughal Court Culture.

Glossary.

Bibliography.

Index

Harbans Mukhia was Professor of Medieval History and Rector at Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi. His previous publications include Historians and Historiography During the Reign of Akbar (1976), Perspectives on Medieval History (1993), The Feudalism Debate (editor, 1999), Feudalism and Non–European Societies, (co–editor, with T. J. Byres, 1985), French Studies in History (co–editor, with Maurice Aymard, vol. 1, 1988, vol. 2, 1990), and Religion, Religiosity and Communalism (co–editor with Praful Bidwai and Achin Vanaik, 1996). He is the founding editor of The Medieval History Journal.

"It is clear that Mukhia′s exposition of the Mughal Empire is on a plane totally different from any other made so far. It is indisputably innovative in its design.... It is an exciting exploration that he has undertaken." Professor Irfan Habib, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India <!––end––>

"A rare blend of deep and convincing research with elegant literary style ... a useful and pleasant reading for both the scholars and general public." Vostok

"This book offers an entertaining, readable, and concise conceptual analysis of courtly life in the Mughal era. Even experts on Mughal India will learn from Mukia′s penetrating insights and find a great deal to interest them in his lively descriptions of court life." South Asia News