Historiography of the Mughal Age

Email

Whatsapp

Facebook

Pinterest

Twitter

Copy link

The present volume, seventh in the series of The Collected Works of Professor B. R. Grover, deals with "Historiography", u subject about which Professor Grover wrote profusely and lectured passionately. The term "historiography" usually refers to the study of past events and deals with the theory and methodology of historical writing. Professor Grover went a step further in defining the term "historiography". According to him, the study of historiography pertains to the "changing interpretation of the past events that requires constant research to uncover more facts and offer new interpretations and demands an unbiased, critical approach that goes beyond the mere examination of historical facts. The collection of papers contained in this Volume reflects how Professor Grover approached, understood, and analyzed various historical events. Lle believed that in order to make further breakthrough in the analysis of social and economic history, an examination of the regional areas was necessary. He thus concentrated on the rural society, the agrarian set-up, the tribal structure, the role of the tribes, clans, castes and landed intermediaries, the condition of the peasantry, the concept of the village community, handicrafts and industries in the rural and urban society. The papers presented in this volume therefore contain the writings of Professor Grover on historiography in a holistic manner. One major contribution of Professor Grover to "historiography" was his finding that the source- material in Persian language covering the period from the beginning of the 13 century to the closing years of the 18" century occupies an important place in medieval Indian historiography, Because of his expertise in Persian, he was able to examine the various source materials in Persian, including the Farmans, Sanads and madad-i- maash (charitable grants), in various libraries and archives in India and abroad that throw a flood of light on the socio-economic and political trends of the times in India.

Professor B.R. Grover, former Chairman of the Indian Council of Historical Research, with an academic and administrative career spanning more than 55 years, has left an indelible mark as one of India's most eminent and dedicated historians. He has left behind a massive wealth of historical research based on original Persian, Urdu, Ottoman Turkish, Punjabi and English sources. Known for doing intensive research in the archives and libraries of India, several European countries and the United States of America, Professor Grover had carved out a distinct position for himself as a moving encyclopaedia of source material on agrarian history of the Mughals, especially the land revenue administration.

The papers presented in this seventh volume of The Collected Works of Professor B. R. Grover contain the writings of Professor Grover on historiography in a holistic manner. He consulted original sources, hitherto unknown, in Persian and other languages in numerous libraries of the world and highlighted the different approaches to the writing of medieval Indian history. Earlier historians have relied upon political, social and economic history to interpret the events of medieval India. To make further breakthrough in the analysis of social and economic history, Professor Grover advocated an examination of the regional areas remaining untapped hitherto. He strongly believed that in India, "One has to concentrate on rural society, the agrarian set-up, the tribal structure, the role of the tribes, clans, castes and landed intermediaries, the condition of the peasantry, the concept of the village community, handicrafts and industries in the rural and urban society." He wrote copiously on these subjects. Moreover, earlier historians did not have much access to the Persian manuscripts and contemporary original records due to their limited knowledge of the Persian language.

The term "historiography" generally referred to as "the body of techniques and principles of historical research and presentation" (Webster's College Dictionary) more specifically refers to the "narrative presentation of history based on a critical examination, evaluation and selection of material from primary and secondary sources and subject to scholarly criteria." (Dictionary.com) Over the years, scholars of history have been critically examining and analyzing the past events based upon their own understanding and particular criteria. Professor Grover went a step further in defining the term "historiography". According to him, historiography pertains to the "changing interpretation of the past events in the works of individual historians" and he believed that constant research is needed to uncover more facts and offer new interpretations. He also alleged that the study of historiography mandates an unbiased, critical approach that goes beyond the mere examination of historical facts.

**Contents and Sample Pages**