Religion, State, and Society in Medieval India: Collected Works of S. Nurul Hasan

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"S. Nurul Hasan played an important role in giving a new direction to history writing in India immediately before and after independence. This book brings together essays spanning a distinguished, often pioneering, career of a leading academician. Reflecting the evolution of his ideas on medieval Indian history, they demonstrate the diversity and versatility of Hasan’s works and his multi-disciplinary approach to the study of history. The section on historiography discusses the manner in which Indian history has been distorted, both in the past, by British imperial historians, and in more current times by Indian communal historians. It also raises the problem of nationalities in medieval India, once a subject of intense debate. The second part dealing with state, religion, and ruling classes offers a new interpretation of Akbar’s religious views, the crucial role of zamindars, and the theory of the `Nur Jahan Junta’. The third segment examines urban and rural life in medieval India. The final section looks at some important sources of late Mughal history, and also considers the Afghan-Mughal conflict. Collated by another eminent historian, these essays fill a serious gap in the understanding of medieval Indian history and open fresh vistas for later research. Satish Chandra’s introduction gives wonderful insights into the personal and professional world of the legendary historian. He discusses at length Hasan’s personality, achievements, and monumental contribution to Indian history-writing."

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Satish Chandra

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.