Sufism, Culture, and Politics Afghans and Islam in Medieval North India

by Aquil, Raziuddin

• ISBN13: 9780195685121
• ISBN10: 0195685121
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2009-10-15
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

Strongly grounded in Persian manuscripts, many of them unpublished, this book makes an innovative and original intervention in the existing debates on the questions of medieval politics, patterns of governance as well as the relationship between politics, Islam and Muslim religious leaders. Exploding the myth that Sufis, especially Chishtis, kept aloof from politics, it shows how Sufis enjoyed royal patronage and helped legitimise Aghans' political cause. The author also explores the contributions of Sufis and Afghans to vernacular literature and devotional music. Contesting existing notions of the "tribal" character of Afghan political institutions, he argues that Surs and other Afghan dynasties drew upon Persian understandings of universal kingship to put in place a coherent monarchical system. The book also discusses how Rajputs and other non-Muslims collaborated with the Aghans to broaden the base of government apparatus.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. ix
Introduction: The Study of Medieval Indian History	p. 1
Struggle for Power and Dominance
The Making of a Badshah: Emergence of Sher Shah Sur	p. 39
Mughal-Afghan Interface: Battles and Mobilization	p. 81
Political Ideals and Institutions
Norms of Governance and Aspects of Administration	p. 117
The Afghans and the Rajputs: Conflict and Accommodation	p. 143
Religion, Politics, and Society
The Political and the Sufic Wilayat	p. 171
Sufi Traditions and Hindu-Muslim Interaction	p. 200
Conclusion	p. 231
Select Bibliography	p. 238
Index	p. 257
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