Muslims have been present in South Asia for 14 centuries. Nearly 40% of the people of this vast land mass follow the religion of Islam; and Muslim contribution to the cultural heritage of the sub-continent has been extensive. This textbook provides both undergraduate and postgraduate students; as well as the general reader; with a comprehensive account of the history of Islam in India; encompassing political; socio-economic; cultural and intellectual aspects. Using a chronological framework; the book discusses the main events in each period between c. 600 CE and the present day; along with the key social and cultural themes. It discusses a range of topics; including: How power was secured; and how was it exercised The crisis of confidence caused by the arrival of the West in the sub-continent How the Indo-Islamic synthesis in various facets of life and culture came about Excerpts at the end of each chapter allow for further discussion; and detailed maps alongside the text help visualise the changes through each time period. Introducing the reader to the issues concerning the Islamic past of South Asia; the book is a useful text for students and scholars of South Asian History and Religious Studies.
#1287893 in Books 2010-01-30 2009-12-02Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.21 x .60 x 6.14l; .90 #File Name: 0415462053264 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Great!By Daniella EscalonaThe book gives you a thorough history of Jewish civilization. This was assigned in one of my classes and it complemented the material very well.4 of 5 people found the following review helpful. a layman's reviewBy HennenbergIt is a very clear one volume summarizing the ethnic history of Jews and their religion. As such; it is a blessed opportunity to understand that Jews were and are: a nation. Also how they answered to the different challenges which their encounter with very powerfull empires was creating. In a way it is a thorough answer even if unadvertendly to the blatant mistakes and misgivings developed by S. Sand. The book should have a large audience as it shows beautifully the continuity between the biblical tribes; the jews of Ancient Rome; Christianity; Islam antiquity; middle ages and modern times. The people concerned were certainly not genetically connected; to a common mythical patriarch. A lot of them left the common core; during the historical period considered by the author and some joined in; giving up their previous way of life.But this does not really matter. The point is to show that people living inside that minority civilisation; sharing its values; remainig inside or concerned by its survival; found empirical solutions which evolved and lead to new theological paradigms in peculiar .
