Overview

Bringing together archival research and literary analysis, this microhistorical study explores the decline of the Mughal empire through the life of a petty Mughal official Abdul Jalil Bilgrami as he navigated uncertainty amid the shifting currents of imperial power. Illuminating the everyday realities of a fading dynasty on the Indian subcontinent, the book offers a deeply personal lens into Bilgrami’s socio-cultural world. It also engages with broader questions of historical methodology, demonstrating how literary evidence, such as personal letters and poems, can breathe life into structural histories. By centring a lesser-known historical figure, it challenges conventional elite-centric narratives and underscores the value of microhistory in understanding larger historical processes. This volume will appeal to scholars, students, and general readers of Mughal history, South Asian studies, microhistory, and global literary studies. It is an ideal resource for educators seeking to enrich their courses as part of these specializations and diversify their recommended reading.

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9781032937380

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Author Information

Riya Gupta is an independent researcher with a doctorate in History from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), India. She is currently a research consultant at the INTACH Heritage Academy, India, and holds the position of Associate Editor for the INTACH Journal of Heritage Studies.

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