Mughal India: Studies in Polity, Ideas, Society, and Culture

M. Athar Ali was one of the leading historians of medieval India and his writings have inspired and influenced much of the subsequent work on the Mughal Empire. Bringing together for the first time, his collection of essays, `Mughal India’ is a tribute to Athar Ali’s historical acumen and analytical depth. They reflect his rigorous rationality, critical faculties, and straightforwardness in taking positions. Organized thematically, this volume collects some of his best essays on a wide range of topics from the realm of ideas, religion, to polity, administration, society, and culture. Some are interpretative, others represent detailed research, while most reflect both these dimensions. It also includes a critique of `revisionist’ approaches in the study of the Mughal polity, and an important section on sources. What unites the essays is the author’s clear thinking, lucid prose, and consistency of approach. These essays were collected and arranged by Athar Ali himself. After his death, his friend and colleague, Irfan Habib provided some of the editing that still needed to be carried out. In his preface, Habib discusses Athar Ali’s approach to history and the changing contours of his scholarship. He also gives an account of the personal and professional worlds of the distinguished historian.