Sams Siraj Afif’s Tarikh-I-Firozshahi is more than history – not only is it the only contemporary account exclusively devoted to Firoz Tughluq’s monarchy, it dwells in considerable detail on the state of the society and to common man in his reign thus qualifying to be a total chronicle of the times. It presents more complete picture of the time than the more distinguished Tarikhof Zia-ud-din-Barani. Afif’s Tarikhcontains very illuminating information about the foundation of new cities, construction of canals, water reservoirs, madrassas et. Al. which served as catalysts of change in socio-economic field. Having served in the civil and revenue departments himself, Afif even excels Barani in describing the prevelant agrarian system. Possibly the first English translation of Afif’s original Tarikh available in Asiatic Society Bibliotheca Edition, Calcutta, 1891, with a critical assessment, it is now accessible to scholars of medieval Indian history.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR R.C. Jauhri
Professor R.C. Jauhri (1933-1999) had a brilliant academic career culminating in a First Class First Master’s degree in a First Class First Master’s degree in History (1956) from the Agra University. His Ph.D. thesis, under the guidance of eminent historian Dr. A.L. Srivastave, published as Firoz Tughluq (1968) was hailed as a high watermark among doctoral dissertations. His post-doctoral research published as American Diplomacy and Independence for India (1971) was applauded as lesson in objectivity. He also edited a volume American Studies: A Miscellany (1978). He published over forty papers in national and international journals. He had the distinction of being three times Fulbright scholar for higher studies and research at such leading Universities as Harward, Yale, Princeton and their Columbus Quincentenial Session at Chicago (1992). Professor Jauhri taught for about 39 years in universities of Agra, Kurukshetra and Panjab attaining the position of Professor of History in the Panjab University, Chandigarh from where he retired in October, 1996. As many as fifteen scholars earned Ph.D. degrees under his guidance.
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