Narrating lives: a Mughal empress, a French Nabob, a nationalist Muslim intellectual

Article Abstract:

Three recent biographies, Ian Henderson Douglas's 'Abul Kalam Azad: An Intellectual and Religious Biography,' Ellison Banks Findly's 'Nur Jahan: Empress of Mughal India' and Rosie Llewellyn-Jones's 'A Very Ingenious Man: Claude Martin in Early Colonial India,' display similarities in their narratives despite being about very different subjects. These biographies give rags-to-riches accounts of the rise to a prominent social position from humble beginnings. The biographies also have similarly poignant endings, emphasizing problems each subject had in social relationships. Cultural bias of the biographers is another striking common feature.

Social aspects, Biography, Biographies, Narration (Rhetoric), Narration

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Too little and too much: reflections on Muslims in the history of India

Article Abstract:

India's great divide into Hindus and Muslims is essentialist stereotype image rooted in the British colonialist narrative. According to this narrative, India is composed of two religious groups: the Hindus and the Muslims. The Hindus' Golden Age was interrupted by the Muslim invasion. From this point on, the specific and stereotype attributes were assigned to either of the two groups. Lately, however, alternative historical narratives are being formed, questioning the stereotypes and taking into account the political and religious dimensions both ethnic groups.

History, India, Indian history, Ethnology, Hindu-Muslim relations, Cultural anthropology

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The death of the Xiaoxian empress: bureaucratic betrayals and the crises of eighteenth-century Chinese rule

Article Abstract:

Eighteenth-century Chinese rule offered the emperor numerous ruling styles to copy from such as total subservience mandated by the Manchu model and the Han Chinese version which required total devotion between minister and emperor. Another attractive option was tyranny which advocated coercion and arbitrary power. The Qianlong emperor, who ordered the execution of top Chinese officials who failed to abide by the requisites of mourning for the Xiaoxian empress, utilized all models. Eventually, he learned how unrewarding politics can be.

China, Political aspects, Heads of state, Despotism, Tyranny, Manchus

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