Negotiating Mughal Law: A Family of Landlords across Three Indian Empires

Nandini Chatterjee's book offers a unique micro-history of a family of landlords in Malwa,central India,from the sixteenth to the twentieth century,exploring their daily interactions with imperial elites,villagers,and marauders. It provides a new perspective on the Mughal Empire,showing war,violence,betrayal,enterprise,romance,and a quest for law,justice,rights,and righteousness.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 310 pages
Publication date: 27 October 2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Nandini Chatterjee presents a captivating micro-history of a landlord family in Malwa, central India, flourishing from the sixteenth to the twentieth century. Through meticulous exploration of their daily interactions with imperial elites, villagers, and marauders, Chatterjee unveils a fresh perspective on the Mughal Empire, far from the grandeur of the emperor's courts. This new history, rooted in the lives of ordinary individuals, reveals a dramatic and vibrant tapestry of characters. From this unique vantage point, we witness a spectrum of experiences, including war, violence, betrayal, entrepreneurship, romance, and disappointment. Yet, amidst these challenges, there emerges a profound quest for law, justice, rights, and righteousness. This remarkable narrative stands as a rare portrayal of Islamic law in a predominantly non-Muslim society, simultaneously delving into the periphery of the Maratha empire and a neglected princely state under British colonial rule. Additionally, this title is available as Open Access, ensuring wider accessibility and dissemination of knowledge.

ISBN-13: 9781108736961