ABOUT THE BOOK The present volume deals with the history of Islam in India from its first appearance in the eighth century A.D. to the fall of the Mughal Empire in the eighteenth century A.D. The back ground of Hindu India has not been lost sight of. While principally concerned with the political history of the Cresent in India, I have not ignored its social and cultural aspects. Readers will, perhaps, find that I have essayed inter pretentions at places which may not be quite in agreement with the views of more profound scholars than myself. But I have written with the conviction that 'History must from time to time be re-written, not because new facts have been discovered, but because new aspects come into view, because the participant in the progress of an age is led to stand-points from which the past can be regarded and judged in a novel manner.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR This book deals with these chapters: Introduction: Decline of Hindu India; The Crescent on the Horizon; The Icono-clast in India; Slaves Enthroned; First Empire of the Crescent: Khalji; Second Empire of the Crescent : Tughlaq; Chaos Come Again; Character of Crescentdom in India; Third Empire of the Crescent: Mughal; The Empire in Transition; Afghan Restoration; Restoration of the Mughals; Reorganization of the Empire; Fruition of the Empire; Golden Age of the Empire; Post Meridiem of the Empire; Sunset of the Empire; Nightfall of the Empire; Disitegration of the Empire; Review of the Empire.
PREFACE This brief study of Medieval Indian History has been designed to meet the requirements of under-graduates in our Colleges. It is to be considered as no more than an Introduction to a subject which has been attracting increas ing attention of late in our Universities. The theme is as fascinating as it is vast. At every step the temptation to follow up its divers ramifications has been resisted in order to attain lucidity even at the risk of what scholars might consider a lack of fullness. This dominating desire will also explain the economy of foot-notes. But 1 have given sufficient references in the text itself to indicate my sources. More detailed documentation for the latter. part of this work will be found in my Mughal Empire in India of which it is an abridgement. The earlier portion has been written here for the first time.
The present volume deals with the history of Islam in India from its first appearance in the eighth century A.D. to the fall of the Mughal Empire in the eighteenth century A.D. The background of Hindu India has not been lost sight of. While principally concerned with the political history of the Crescent in India, I have not ignored its social and cultural aspects. Readers will, perhaps, find that I have essayed interpretations at places which may not be quite in agreement with the views of more profound scholars than myself. But I have written with the con viction that History must from time to time be re-written, not because new facts have been discovered, but because new aspects come into view, because the participant in the progress of an age is led to stand-points from which the past can be regarded and judged in a novel manner. With what result is for others than myself to judge I shall be satisfied if this study acts as an appetizer.
My indebtedness to the various writers named in the text is very great, and I take this opportunity of acknowledging the same with gratitude.
**Contents and Sample Pages**
