LOCAL STATES IN AN IMPERIAL WORLD

Focusing on the Deccan Sultanates of 16th- and 17th-century central India, Local States in an Imperial World promotes the idea that some polities of the time were not aspiring to be empires.

Format: Paperback
Publication date: 02 February 2021
Publisher: EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY PRESS

The non-imperial state is a concept that delves into the complexities of early modern political identities, taking a spatial approach to understanding these identities. In particular, the book "Local States in an Imperial World" focuses on the Deccan Sultanates of 16th- and 17th-century central India, exploring the notion that these polities were not necessarily aspiring to be empires. Instead, they presented a unique brand of state that prioritized negotiation, flexibility, and the embrace of diversity in languages, religions, and cultures.

Drawing on theories of early modernity, empire, cosmopolitanism, and vernaculars, Roy Fischel delves into the various components that shaped state and society in the Deccan Sultanates. He examines the role of people, identities, and idioms in shaping these complex political landscapes. By presenting a comprehensive frame for understanding the Deccan Sultanates as a rare case of the early modern non-imperial state, the book sheds light not only on the region itself but also on the broader imperial world that surrounded it.

One of the key insights of "Local States in an Imperial World" is that the Deccan Sultanates were not merely peripheral territories within an empire but rather independent and sovereign polities. The sultanates were governed by local rulers who had their own administrative structures, laws, and customs. They maintained diplomatic relations with other regional powers, such as the Mughals and the Portuguese, but they did not seek to expand their territories or impose their rule on others.

Instead, the Deccan Sultanates prioritized trade and commerce, fostering a vibrant economic and cultural exchange. They encouraged the use of multiple languages, religions, and cultures, promoting a sense of unity and diversity within their territories. This approach to statehood was in stark contrast to the universalist and hierarchical vision typical of the language of empire.

The book also explores the complex relationships between the Deccan Sultanates and the imperial world surrounding them. The sultanates were often caught in the crosshairs of competing imperial powers, such as the Mughals and the Portuguese. However, they also played a crucial role in shaping the imperial world by promoting trade and commerce and by engaging in diplomatic relations with other regional powers.

In conclusion, "Local States in an Imperial World" is a valuable contribution to the study of early modern political identities and the non-imperial state. By focusing on the Deccan Sultanates of 16th- and 17th-century central India, the book offers a fresh perspective on the complexities of statehood in this period. It challenges the universalist and hierarchical vision of empire and highlights the importance of negotiation, flexibility, and diversity in shaping political identities. Through its comprehensive analysis of the components that shaped state and society, the book provides a valuable framework for understanding the Deccan Sultanates and their place in the broader imperial world.

ISBN-13: 9781474436083