Lakshadweep, A Group Of Coral Islands In The Arabian Sea Off The Malabar Coast, Is A Centrally Administered Territory Consisting Of Three Distinct Units -- Laccadive, Minicoy, And Amindivi. Amini Is The Largest Island Of The Amindivi Unit. The Islanders Have Three Caste-Like Groups- The Aristocratic Koya, The Sea – Faring Malmi, And The Praedial Slaves Melacheri – Consisting Of The Descendants Of Migrants From The Mainland. This Island Society Exhibits A Unique Blend Of Matrilineal Principles And Islamic Regulations. This Can Be Seen In Their Institutions Of Taravad, Karanavan, And Duo-Local Marriage On The One Hand, And In The Observance Of Islamic Prescriptions In Regard To The Performance Of Duties By Fathers And Husbands On Occasions Like Birth, Circumcisions, Marriage And Divorce, And In The Operation Of The Laws Of Property And Inheritance On The Other. The Historical And Socio-Economic Processes Through Which Their Social Structure Evolved, The Constraints Under Which It Functions Today, The Struggle Of The Melacheri To Shake Off The Yoke Of The Koya, The Role Of Islam, And The Impact Of Government Sponsored Programmes Form The Subject Matter Of This Fascinating Study. A Part From Describing An Unusual Form Of Social Organization, This Book Presents A Significant Microscopic Picture Of The Processes Of Change In The Island Society.

This book discusses the origin and growth of Indo-Persian historiography with specific emphasis on India's contribution to the literary heritage of the Persian world. Besides examining 'Awfi's Jawami'ul-Hikayat-wa-Livam'ul-Rivayat as a source of history, the volume also assesses the history of history writing by immigrant and Indian scholars, and is a pioneering attempt insofar as it attempts to study the social background and the religious and political ideals of each of the writers included in this book.

This is a seminal book, first published in 1961. Over the past six decades, T.N. Devare's work has been widely recognised as a pioneering study to re-discover the glorious heritage of Persian in the Deccan, following the first comprehensive and critical survey completed by the author of Persian manuscript sources and literary works scattered across numerous libraries, archives and repositories in India and abroad. The book convincingly argues that, the Deccan’s multilingual and multi-religious traditions shaped the evolution of Indo-Persian and produced over nearly four centuries, a distinct literary and cultural world marked by a syncretic character which defied social, political or religious boundaries. The author also makes the case for collaboration between Persian and the regional languages of India, particularly Marathi. It is the rich legacy of Persian in the Deccan Courts with their vast treasures of literature that is preserved in Dr Devare’s work. The book has been regarded and continues to remain a foundational text for studying the Deccan, be it in the field of history, literature or culture. Please note: Taylor & Francis does not sell or distribute the Hardback in India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka

The book, "The History of Medieval India," aims to provide readers with a methodical and comprehensive understanding of Medieval India, aimed specifically for aspirants of competitive examinations across the nation. The content of this book is twofold: 1. Subjective knowledge on a range of events from ancient India, presented in an accessible and concise manner. 2. Multiple-choice questions (MCQs) crafted to reflect the depth and breadth of each topic, aiding candidates in assessment and preparation. Designed with precision, the book aligns with the most recent UPSC syllabus and caters to the requirements of State PSC, SSC, and UPSC examinations. It provides clarity by presenting events in the sequence they occurred, allowing candidates to discern patterns, evolutions, and interrelations. It ensures discipline, enabling efficient study and revision. In essence, this book seeks to simplify the multifaceted journey of Indian history for its readers. With chronology and discipline as its foundational pillars, it offers a streamlined pathway through the diverse phases of India's past. To the aspirants aiming for excellence in their professional examinations, this book is a tool, a guide, and a companion. We trust it will serve you well in your endeavors. Best wishes.

Lambda literary award finalist, Same-Sex Love in India presents a stunning array of writings on same-sex love from over 2000 years of Indian literature. Translated from more than a dozen languages and drawn from Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim, and modern fictional traditions, these writings testify to the presence of same-sex love in various forms since ancient times, without overt persecution. This collection defies both stereotypes of Indian culture and Foucault's definition of homosexuality as a 19th-century invention, uncovering instead complex discourses of Indian homosexuality, rich metaphorical traditions to represent it, and the use of names and terms as early as medieval times to distinguish same-sex from cross-sex love. An eminent group of scholars have translated these writings for the first time or have re-translated well-known texts to correctly make evident previously underplayed homoerotic content. Selections range from religious books, legal and erotic treatises, story cycles, medieval histories and biographies, modern novels, short stories, letters, memoirs, plays and poems. From the Rigveda to Vikram Seth, this anthology will become a staple in courses on gender and queer studies, Asian studies, and world literature.

Volume III of The Oxford History of Historical Writing contains essays by leading scholars on the writing of history globally during the early modern era, from 1400 to 1800. The volume proceeds in geographic order from east to west, beginning in Asia and ending in the Americas. It aims at once to provide a selective but authoritative survey of the field and, where opportunity allows, to provoke cross-cultural comparisons. This is the third of five volumes in a series that explores representations of the past from the beginning of writing to the present day, and from all over the world.