Date and Time: 29 August 2017 17:00-19:00
Venue: Room 304, Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia, The University of Tokyo (東京大学東洋文化研究所第一会議室) Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo
Abstract:
This paper aims to explore the history of the Mahmudabad family, in Awadh (currently Uttar Pradesh, India). Using Braudel’s longue durée approach to history the first section of the presentation will trace the history of the family from their advent in India in the aftermath of the Mongol invasion of Baghdad in 1258 to their service at the courts of various rulers and dynasties.
The subsequent section will address the history of the family in the 19th and 20th centuries when they went from being a small and regional player to leading and participating in the uprising of 1857 and subsequently being at the forefront of the independence and nationalist movement. Concomitantly the family’s religious beliefs, patronage of institutions and cultural practices will also be addressed while keeping in mind three overlapping spheres: the regional, the emerging national and the transnational.
The final section will deal with the aftermath of the partition of the India and indeed of the family and will trace some of the political, social and economic vicissitudes faced by them. This will offer an opportunity to explore some larger themes including most importantly ideas of belonging and patriotism that remain deeply relevant in India to this day.
Click here for Professor Mohammad Amir Ahmad Khan’s profile.
Contact Person: Kazuo Morimoto morikazu[at]ioc.u-tokyo.ac.jp
This lecture event is open to the public, no registration required.
