Chairman’s Desk
was provided by Professor Irfan Habib. He diversified the areas of research and thus inspired contemporary and young scholars to pursue some of these themes which widened our understanding of Indian history especially medieval history. His monumental work The Agrarian System of Mughal India C.1556 to 1707 (1963, revised edition, 1999) set a path breaking trend in the understanding of the agrarian history of pre-colonial period. His presidential address of Medieval India section, of Indian History Congress (1969 Session) initiated a new trend in the history of technology. His another landmark work An Atlas of the Mughal Empire appeared in 1982. Following this, a book entitled The Indian Response to European Technology and Culture (AD 1498-1707, (1982) of Professor A. J. Qaisar was published. This book was greatly welcomed by the scholars of history of Technology both Indian and abroad. This book coupled with numerous articles on the theme brought laurels to our Centre. His second book Building Construction in Mughal India: The Evidence from Paintings (1988) is another significant contribution in the field of building construction during the Mughal Period. Similarly, Professor Iqtidar Alam Khan pursued research on gunpowder and firearms technology and his researches also set new trend in the field of military technology. His major work culminated in the publication of Gunpowder and Firearms-Warfare in Medieval India (2004).
Similarly history of political structures and the institutions of the medieval period also received attention of the scholars of our Centre. Among them Prof. M. Athar Ali’s two monumental works entitled Mughal Nobility under Aurangzeb and The Apparatus of Mughal Empire are held as definitive study of institutional history. Similarly Professor Zahiruddin Malik’s The Reign of Muhammad Shah, 1719-1748 (1971) and his other book Agrarian System in Medieval India: Land Revenue Arrangements in Sarkar Shahabad (Bihar) (1999) were immensely appreciated in the academic world. Professor Iqtidar Husain Siddiqui earned reputation for the Centre by his marvellous works like Some Aspects of Afghan Despotism in India (1969), Mughal Relations with the Indian Ruling Elite (1983), Perso-Arabic Sources of Information of the life and conditions in the Sultanate of Delhi, (1992); and Authority and Kingship under the Sultans of Delhi (Thirteenth-Fourteenth Centuries), Delhi (2006). Besides he has translated many Persian sources into English. Professor S.P. Gupta’s contribution in the field of regional studies was pioneering. His major work The Agrarian System of Eastern Rajasthan, 1650-1750 (1986) set a new trend in the economic history of regional studies. Besides this, he has an another book to his credit entitled Mughal Documents: Taqsim (1996) in association with Sumbul Haleem Khan.
The scholars of new generation followed their predecessors and established themselves in different academic spheres. Among them who had carved out a niche in the academic world are Professor Shireen Moosvi who made economic history of medieval India as her major field of research and brought out Economy of the Mughal Empire-A Statistical Study (1987). She has published two more books, Episodes in the Life of Akbar Contemporary Records and Reminiscences (1994) and People, Taxation and Trade in Mughal India (2008).Professor Shireen Moosvi’s forte is undoubtedly economic history, but her contributions straddles into gender studies, demography, administrative history, ecology and environmental history, religious and intellectual history.
Professor S.P. Verma’s contributions in the history of Art have received critical appreciation. He has published Mughal Painters and their Work; A Bibliographical Survey and Comprehensive Catalogue, Professor I. A. Zilli, The Mughal State and Culture, Selected Letters and Documents from Munshaat-i-Namkin,1556-1598, Professor Shahabuddin Iraqi Sarbangi of Rajjabdas: a Dadupanthi Source of the 17th Century, (edited with an introduction 1985), Professor Pushpa Prasad’s two books Sanskrit Inscriptions of Delhi Sultanate 1191-1526 and Lekhapaddhati: Documents of State and Everyday Life from Ancient and Early Medieval Gujarat, Professor B.L. Bhadani, Peasants, Artisans and Entrepreneurs: Economy of Marwar in the 17th Century, 1999, Professor Tariq Ahmad Religio-Political Ferment in the North Western Frontier during the Mughal Period: The Raushaniya Movement, Professor Afzal Husain Nobility Under Akbar and Jahangir, A Study of Family Groups.
Present Cycle of the CAS (April 2001 - 2008): Academic Achievements:
The present cycle granted by the UGC in April 2001 ended on 31st March 2006 and since then the Centre is receiving extensions. Certain sub-thrust areas were identified by the Review Committee and members of our Centre started developing them. The editing of Persian and Rajasthani sources are being undertaken. The historical material available in Dutch, Gujarati and Sanskrit sources have been utilized for the reconstruction of Medieval Indian history. Some specific works on irrigation technology especially in the regions of Rajasthan, U.P. and M.P. are also in progress.
The volume of the work carried out at the Centre of Advanced Study, A.M.U., during the last five years 2001-06 (in addition to extension period from April 2006 till date), would serve as an index of our efforts in response to the generous investment of the UGC. It can be legitimately claimed with full self-confidence that the Centre is undoubtedly the most productive single unit in its field (Medieval Indian History). This confidence is significantly reinforced by the quality and volume of academic works carried out by our esteemed and young colleagues at the Centre.
The Review Committee specifically outlined thrust as well as sub-thrust areas for the programme which are:
Under Medieval Indian History (National, intra regional and comparative analysis with other periods) following sub-thrust areas were identified: a) Sources of History, Persian, Indigenous and Non-Indian etc. b) Cultural, Social and Economic History c) History of Science and Technology d) Regional Studies e) Central Asian Studies
Though the Review Committee identified above stated sub-thrust areas under the broad thrust area of Medieval History but it may be noted that ever since its inception our Centre is involved in researches on these themes. The researches at the Centre cover important fields viz., political structures, social organisation, agrarian system, ideological developments, history of art, science and technology, and contemporary Asian regimes.
(a) From the beginning Centre always paid special attention on the utilization, editing and translation of contemporary sources such as Persian, Rajasthani, Gujarati and Dutch. The utilization of the regional documents such as Gujrati, Marathi and Rajashtani was initiated at very early stage at our Centre. Professor S.P. Gupta edited a very important series of Rajasthani documents taqsims which were published under the title Mughal Documents: Taqsim published in 1994. In the case of Persian, we can say with confidence that our Centre is recognized and respected for its emphasis on critical appreciation of contemporary sources and their use in reconstructing the Medieval History. Insha Collection constitutes an important source of information of medieval period. Munshaat-i-Namakin by Abul Qasim Namkin is one such collection that was compiled during the last years of Akbar’s reign. It is one of the largest collection of documents of the Mughal period. The documents provide extremely valuable information on a wide range of subjects relating to the political, institutional, social, cultural, legal and even religious aspects of Akbar’s reign. Professor I. A. Zilli has edited these and published under the title The Mughal State and Culture 1556-1598; Selected Letters and Documents from Munshaat-i-Namakin. Dr. Maksud Ahmad Khan is editing the malfuzat of Shaikh Hamiduddin Nagauri. Similarly, work in Sanskrit inscriptions and documents. Two books of Professor Pushpa Prasad on Sanskrit sources are published namely, Sanskrit Inscriptions of Delhi Sultanate 1191-1526 (Oxford, 1990) and Lekhapadhati (Oxford, 2007).
(b) In the field of cultural social and economic history, our Centre has published considerable number of books and research papers during the last cycle. Dr. S. Liyaqat Husain Moini’s book The Chishti Shrine of Ajmer: Pirs, Pilgrims, Practices (2004) is an outstanding contribution to medieval, social and cultural history. Dr. Fatima Zehra Bilgrami’s History of the Qadri Order in India (2005) is again a valuable addition to the study of Sufism started by our illustrious teacher late Prof. K.A. Nizami. Professor Mansura Haidar’s edited work Sufis, Sultans and Feudal Orders is also a notable contribution to social and cultural history. In this series Dr. Iqbal Sabir’s manuscript entitled The Life and Times of Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi has already been approved by the Advisory Committee of CAS for its publication. We are sure that this would be published within a year. Apart from these another important work on different stream of cultural and social history entitled Bhakti Movement in Medieval India: Social and Political Perspectives by Professor Shahabuddin Iraqi is about to be received from Manohar Publishers, New Delhi within this month. Dr. Mohd. Parwez’s book Gender Discrimination in Respect of Land Ownership: A Case Study of Assam is already in press.
Dr. Maksud Ahmad Khan’s contributions in the field of socio-cultural history especially Sufism has received international acclaim. He is presently engaged in two projects, one Biographical Dictionary of the Sufis (13th Century to 18th Century AD), second Editing of Surur u’s Sudur Wa Nur Al Budur, Malfuzat of Shaikh Hamid u’d din Sufi Sawali Nagauri. Both the manuscripts are ready for sending to the press.
In the field of economic history two books have come out during the last cycle. Professor Zahiruddin Malik has published a book Agrarian System in Medieval India – Land Revenue Arrangements in Shahabad (Bihar), 1734-1790 (2001). Recently Professor Shireen Moosvi has published her book on economic history of the Mughals entitled People, Taxation and Trade in Mughal India (2005). Dr. Ishrat Alam received UGC’s research award and pursuing his work on UGC sponsored project "Finance and Commerce in seventeenth century North India based an Dutch East India Company Records".
(c) The history of science and technology is another sub-thrust area identified by the last Review Committee for our Centre to which our colleagues have given due attention. Under the initiative of the eminent scholars like Professor Irfan Habib, Professor A.J. Qaisar and Professor Iqtidar Alam Khan and others, our Centre has already made a significant progress and they have been guiding stars for younger colleagues. Professor B.L. Bhadani is presently pursuing two projects, (i) History of Water Management and Hydraulic System (1300-1800, sponsored by Infinity Foundation Book Series, New Delhi and (ii) Irrigation Technology of the Thar Desert in Medieval Times, sponsored by INSA, New Delhi. His book on Irrigation Technology in Medieval Mewar in accepted for publication by our Centre. It’s press copy is bring prepared.Dr. Ali Athar’s researches concentrate on history of science and technology. His major study is on defence studies with special reference to history of military technology of the Delhi Sultans. His book entitled Military Technology and Warfare in the Sultanate of Delhi (2006) is acknowledged as an excellent work in this field. Besides this, his research papers in this field published during the last cycle like “Warfare and Weaponry in South Asia – 1000-1800” have enriched this sphere of history. Dr. Ishrat Alam has produced a number of research papers based on Dutch, Sanskrit and Persian sources in the field of science and technology. He is presently engaged in an important project sponsored by INSA, New Delhi on “Minerals, Mining and Metal Working Crafts in Medieval India c.1600-1750 AD: A Study based on Dutch Sources”. Dr. Mohd. Parwez is working on the project “Indigenous Knowledge System in Respect of Medicine, Handicraft Technology and Environment: A Case Study of Uttranchal” sponsored by Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, Mussoorie.
(d) Regional Studies as sub-thrust area has been particularly productive over the years and a number of colleagues are involved in them. It was Professor S.P. Gupta (Coordinator of the CAS, January, 1999-January 2002) who pioneered regional studies in our Centre. His contribution has been enormous. In fact, he laid down the foundation of regional studies at our Centre under the guidance of late Professor S. Nurul Hasan and Professor Satish Chandra. His monumental work The Agrarian System of Eastern Rajasthan, (1986) set a new trend in regional researches based exclusively on Rajasthani sources. His researches inspired scholars. Professor B.L. Bhadani’s book Peasants, Artisans and Entrepreneurs-Economy of Marwar in the Seventeenth Century, (1999) again based on Rajasthani sources, is held as a classical study of economy of western Rajasthan, and thus fulfilled the gap left by Professor Gupta. Besides this, he has contributed more than fifty papers. Numerous other works on different regions were also carried out by scholars at our Centre. Dr. Farhat Hasan’s work on western India is well-received in the academic world. His book entitled State and Locality in Mughal India Power Relations in Western India, C.1572-1730 (Cambridge, 2004), concentrates on the relations between local powers and Mughal state. The book attempts to study the state from the perspectives of localities and not from that of the Imperial attitude or the Mughal Court. This new approach gives an opportunity to understand the imperial system from the local perspective. The study is based on indigenous evidence. Dr. S. Liyaqat Husain Moini’s book “The Chisti Shrine of Ajmer, Pirs, Practices and Pilgrims” is an outstanding work and has received recognition in the academic world. In addition, he has numerous articles to his credit. His researches broadly cover various aspects of Sufism, social and cultural life of various social groups.
Dr. Sumbul Haleem Khan’s work on regional history covers agrarian, social and cultural aspects of eastern Rajasthan. She is a co-author with Professor S.P. Gupta of a book entitled Mughal Documents: Taqsim (c.1649-C.1800). Her two articles are on the agrarian conditions of a pargana. Basically, it is a micro study through which she has studied agrarian statistics at village and the pargana level. In one of her articles, she has traced the origin and development of the Bhakti movement in Rajasthan.
Dr. Syed Bashir Hasan pursued his research on Mughal Malwa, a Mughal province which covered large part of present Madhya Pradesh. Apart form his thesis entitled Malwa under the Mughals, 1562-1707 (1992), he has published a large number of articles confining his study on Mughal Malwa covering history of communities like Jains and Hindus, monetary system, routes and trade, textile production, sufism, centre-state relationship, surviving structures etc. His one research paper has been cited in the revised edition of Irfan Habib’s Agrarian System of Mughal India and the other in Shahabuddin Iraqi’s forthcoming book entitled Bhakti Movement in Medieval India: Social and Political Perspectives. He is still pursuing on this field and we hope, that in the forthcoming cycle a book on Mughal Malwa exhausting almost all aspects would be published which would be another contribution in the field of regional history.
The regional history of South India got momentum at our Centre in this phase. The credit goes to Dr. S. Chandni Bi who joined our Department in February, 2000. Her researches are on various aspects of social life of South India such as women, social groups and urban centres. Her book entitled Urban Centres of Pondicherry has broken path for our young colleagues to look towards south for touching other aspects. Her work on hero-stones of South India is outstanding which is primarily based on the fieldwork of extant structures. Basically, these are memorial stones for those persons who had sacrificed their life for the public cause. These memorials lie untouched throughout length and breadth. She has spotted eighty hero-stones which are scattered in the districts of Salem, Krishnagiri, Dharmapure and Namakkal. After the completion of survey, a complete archeological data would enable scholars to reconstruct the social history of this group. Her research papers are listed separately.
Dr. M.K. Pundhir’s Ph.D. thesis is again a significant contribution to the study of regional history. He has done some fundamental research and they are reflected in his research papers on Rajasthan. He is presently engaged in editing and translating the Rajasthani Documents (Chitthis).
(e) Central Asia is another important field of research which witnessed enormous research carried out at our centre under Professor Mansura Haider. Results of her researches came out in the form of following three books and large number of research papers during the last cycle.
(1) Central Asia in the Sixteenth Century (2002) (2) Medieval Central Asia: Polity, Economy and Military Organization (Fourteenth to Sixteenth Centuries) 200. (3) Central Asian Heritage in the Mughal Polity, New Delhi, 2003.
Dr. Waseem Raja has also published research papers on Central Asian history. Recently his research paper “Loya Jirga as the Afghan Representative Council: Its historical Past and Present relevences” published in Hamdard Islamicus (Karachi, Pakistan, 2007) has earned praise in the academic circle. He is presently undertaking a major research project, sponsored by UGC, entitled Identifying the Ethnic, Lingual, Cultural and Historical Contours of the Afghans; Unraveling the Roots of Recurrent Crisis in Afghanistan.
Dr. Sumbul Haleem Khan’s article on the Central Asia in primarily based on Rajasthani and Persian sources. The role of Rajputs in the politics of Central Asia is discussed in a systematic way.
Dr. Mohammad Sajjad specialises in late colonial Indian History, has done his Ph.D on Bihar Muslim politics in the last decade of colonialism, has published several essays in reputed/refereed journals. He has introduced and designed Post Graduate courses on post colonial Indian History. He has also submitted a research monograph on, "Post-Colonial Bihar Muslims: Their Socio-Economic Diversities and Political Behaviour, 1947-2007", funded jointly by the University of Birmingham (U.K.) and the Indian Institute of Dalit Studies (IIDS), New Delhi.
Beyond the sub-thrust areas identified by the last Review Committee there have been works in diverse fields. Dr. Farhat Hasan has published a book entitled State and Locality in Mughal India: Power Relations in Western India C.1572-1730 (2004).
Dr. Mohd. Afzal Khan’s area of research is an important segment of Mughal Nobility-the Iranis and has put one more building bloc on the edifice created by M. Athar Ali in this field. Dr. Khan has produced a large number of articles broadly sticking to Mughal history covering a variety of themes like environmental history, building activities of Mughal nobles and their social values, biographical studies of various important nobles, educational and intellectual developments.
Dr. Amir Ahmad’s field of specialization is medieval Indian history particularly Bundela nobility, economic history of medieval India and West Asian history. His published papers cover a variety of topics. He has used Hindi sources in his researches.
Dr. Reyaz Ahmad Khan’s sub thrust area of research is Mughal Nobility particularly of Shahjahan’s period constituted by the Afghans and the Shaikhzadas.
I am confident that the Centre of Advanced Study will continue its onward and upward march.
Prof. B.L. Bhadani
Chairman & Coordinator
Centre of Advanced Study,
Department of History
Aligarh Muslim University,
Aligarh