Historical Dictionary of Medieval India (Historical Dictionaries of Ancient Civilizations and Historical Eras): 20
Author(s): Iqtidar Alam Khan (Author)
Publisher: Scarecrow Press
Publication Date: 25 April 2008
Language: English
Print length: 200 pages
ISBN-10: 0810855038
ISBN-13: 9780810855038
Book Description
The medieval period of Indian history is difficult to define clearly. It may be perceived as the long phase of India’s transition from the ancient to the immediately pre-colonial times. The latter period would naturally be imagined commencing from Vasco da Gama’s voyage round the Cape of Good Hope in 1498, or, alternatively, the establishment of the Mughal empire (1526). More definitely though, the renewed Islamic advance into north India, roughly from 1000 A.D. onwards leading to the rise of the Delhi Sultanate (1206), can be held to mark, in political and cultural terms, the beginning of the medieval period. For the purpose of the Historical Dictionary of Medieval India, the period from 1000 A.D. to 1526 A.D. will be considered India’s medieval times. The turbulent history of this period is told through the book’s chronology, an introductory essay, a bibliography, and hundreds of cross-referenced dictionary entries on key people, historical geography, arts, institutions, events, and other important terms.
Editorial Reviews
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This is a short reference work with slightly under five hundred entries, pertaining mainly to individuals but also to some cities, literary texts, dynasties, ethnic labels, official titles, and the like. In addition to the alphabetically arranged entries, it contains a nine-page chronology, an extensive but dated bibliography, and a surprisingly good introduction to the “medieval period of Indian history,” as defined as the years from 1000 to 1526.
The book has an excellent essay and an extensive bibliography…. a well-prepared dictionary and a good introduction to medieval India…. a good dictionary and an excellent addition to the historical literature and is highly recommended for all academic and public library collections.
About the Author
Iqtidar Alam Khan is a retired professor of history from Aligarh Muslim University in Aligarh, India. He was the General President of the Indian History Congress’ 59th session held at Bangalore in 1997.
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