SOAS Research Online

Abstract

An attempt is made in this thesis to give m sketch of social life In Hindustan (Northern India) under the Muslim Sultana of Delhi before Akbar. The plan of treatment la aa follows: After an introductory chapter dealing with the scope and the sources of study of the subject, three chapters are devoted to some socio-political factors, namely, the theory of Muslim sovereignty (or the "Sultanate"), the personality of the monarch, the various classes. This is followed by three chapters on some aspects of economic life namely, rural life, industry and commerce end the standards of life of various classes. Social life is treated in four chapters dealing with domestic life, social and domestic comforts, amusements and recreations, and manners respectively. In conclusion, some remarks are added to help a proper appreciation of the course of social developments during the period. For the collection of the data copious materials scattered in various Arabic, Persian and Nagari originals have been used, together with others which were available in translations. This comprises a survey of general and special histories, accounts of travellers, books of poetry, folklore and fiction, legal compendiums, mystic literature and compilations on ethics, politics and various practical arts, without, however, exhausting the range of materials. The Interest of such a study lies in examining the social inter-actions of Hindus and Muslims during the first period of their contact in northern India and in providing a proper background for the study of the later social developments. Where necessary, evidence has been checked by a comparison with examples from Akbar and from present day survivals.