The Loss of Hindustan: The Invention of India

In his book "The Loss of Hindustan," Manan Ahmed Asif challenges the conventional understanding of India's historical identity by arguing that the region was once known as Hindustan, a place where people of all faiths lived together. He argues that this multicultural identity was deliberately erased by colonialism and religious partition, leading to the present-day divisions between India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. Asif's book offers a radical reinterpretation of India's past and has been praised for its insightful analysis and compelling argument.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 01 March 2023
Publisher: Harvard University Press

Shortlisted for the Cundill History Prize, "The Loss of Hindustan" is a groundbreaking work that challenges the traditional understanding of colonial historiography and advocates for a reevaluation of the historical traditions of Hindustan. The book has received widespread acclaim from esteemed scholars and critics alike.

"Remarkable and pathbreaking...A radical rethink of colonial historiography and a compelling argument for the reassessment of the historical traditions of Hindustan," writes Mahmood Mamdani in his review for the New York Review of Books. Mamdani praises Asif's ability to challenge the dominant narratives of colonialism and shed light on the complex and multifaceted history of the region.

"The brilliance of Asif's book rests in the way he makes readers think about the name 'Hindustan,'" writes Soni Wadhwa in her review for the Asian Review of Books. Wadhwa notes that Asif's focus on Indian history is also a lens through which to examine broader questions about identity, culture, and history.

"Remarkable...Asif's analysis and conclusions are powerful and poignant," writes Rudrangshu Mukherjee in his review for The Wire. Mukherjee praises Asif's ability to provide a fresh perspective on the history of the region and challenge the assumptions of colonialism.

"A tremendous contribution...This is not only a book that you must read, but also one that you must chew over and debate," writes Audrey Truschke in her review for Current History. Truschke praises Asif's meticulous research and insightful analysis, which offer a new understanding of the complex history of the region.

In "The Loss of Hindustan," Manan Ahmed Asif explores the question of whether India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh had a shared regional identity prior to the arrival of Europeans in the late fifteenth century. Asif argues that a European understanding of India as Hindu has replaced an earlier, native understanding of India as Hindustan, a home for all faiths. Drawing on the work of historians such as Muhammad Qasim Firishta, Asif seeks to reclaim the legacy of a multicultural Hindustan that was deliberately erased in favor of the religiously partitioned world of today.

Through his meticulous research and insightful analysis, Asif reveals how multicultural Hindustan was deliberately eclipsed in favor of the religiously partitioned world of today. He uncovers a rich network of historians of Hindustan who imagined, studied, and shaped their kings, cities, and societies. The book offers a radical reinterpretation of history, challenging the assumptions of colonialism and offering a new perspective on the complex and multifaceted history of the region.

"The Loss of Hindustan" is a magisterial work with far-reaching implications. It offers a powerful critique of colonialism and advocates for a reevaluation of the historical traditions of Hindustan. The book has the potential to inspire new generations of scholars and activists to challenge the dominant narratives of history and work towards a more inclusive and equitable world.

Weight: 382g
Dimension: 155 x 235 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780674292338