Written lucidly and critically, the book highlights the prominent trends in thought and institutions of medieval India. A special feature of the book is that it takes in its purview not only the north Indian trends, but covers the thought currents and their expressions in institutions as prevalent in medieval South India as well. Throughout the book one finds a common line of thought running, as a string through the beads, showing the process of gradual synthesis of Muslim and Hindu ideas and institutions. It is a well-written work in which one finds a proper balance in treatment between different parts of India. Mughal Kingship, for example, receives as much attention as kingship under Vijayanagara and its offshoots; the Mansabdari system under the Mughals gets equal importance with the Maharashtra Dharma and Maratha Confederacy. The book is of great value to the research scholars, students and general readers alike.
Book Contents
I. Introduction II. The Mughal State III. The Deccan Hindu State IV. The Deccan Muslim State V. Mughal Kingship VI. Hindu Kingship in the Deccan VII. The Mansabdari System VIII. Mughal Religious Policy IX. Maharashtra Dharma X. Maratha Confederacy XI. The Agrarian System Under The Mughals XII. The Agrarian System in the Deccan XIII. The Village Community Appendix I The Grandees of the Mughal Empire Under Akbar Appendix II Genealogical Tables Bibliography Index