The Mughals, the English and the Rulers of Awadh: From 1722 A.D. to 1856 A.D. : A Kaleidoscopic Study

This book initially delineates the names, period of Nawabi or kingship and the extent of the territories enjoyed by different rulers of Awadh. A detailed account of the penultimate visit of Shore to Lucknow and the last year of the Nawabi of Asaf-ud-daulah is followed by a Wazir Ali Miscellany, not included in the book of the author on him. Impact of the Durrani invasions on Awadh is a maiden study on the topic and leads to a better understanding of many contemporary political events. Studies on the Niabat, Wizarat, army, administration and the Naibs of Asaf-ud-daulah goes a long way in a better appraisal of the imperial and colonial contexts in which the rulers of Awadh interacted. Pre-Nawabi life of Saadat Ali Khan gives a well knit chronological appreciation of this very important ruler of Awadh. Factors responsible for the urbanisation of Lucknow, harem of the first four Nawabs of Awadh, evolutionary trends of the status of women, some aspects of the science and technology and migration and impact of some ulema of the north in the south are new and thought provoking studies and bring these neglected aspects of the history of Awadh to the limelight in a generalised form. The book includes biographical sketches of some great personalities of modern times viz. Khwaja Hasan Nizami, Molana Iqbal Ahmad Khan Suhail, Jan Nisar Akhtar and Molana Imtiaz Ali Khan Arshi. The prevalent Muslim system of education, the Dars-i-Nizami, has been studied in depth, keeping in view its origin, courses preceding it and its nature and scope, merits and demerits and results and dissemination in India and abroad. It also discusses that Islam is indigenous to every nation of the world and the Muslims have their history intact in continuity since the first advent of man on this planet, from which they never break. It is indeed a kaleidoscopic study.