The Mughal Emperors: and the Islamic Dynasties of India, Iran and Central Asia 1206 -1925

Description

In the West, 'Mogul' refers to a person of great influence and power. The term derives from the people who, initially under Chingiz (Genghis) Khan, had a devastating impact on Asia as they set out to conquer the world. This book is the first to describe those rulers from the 13th to the 20th centuries who all shared the Muslim high civilization which flourished from Iran and Central Asia through Afghanistan to India. Among them are Timur or Tamerlane, who lived a life of remorseless conquest and Shah Jahan, who gave India and arguably the world its finest monument, the Taj Mahal. In lively biographical portraits, illuminated by vivid contemporary descriptions, these great men, good and bad, come to life. Special features range from great cities such as Samarqand and Fatehpur Sikri, to astronomy and Mughal painting - and are illustrated with exquisite paintings and manuscripts, architecture and decoration.

Francis Robinson CBE specialises in the history of South Asia and Islam. Since 1990, he has been Professor of History of South Asia at the University of London. He has twice been President of the Royal Asiatic Society: from 1997 to 2000, and from 2003 to 2006. Robinson has also been a Visiting Professor at Oxford University and the University of Washington.

'Fills a gap, and does so in style ... clear timelines, ingenious layouts and superb illustrations' - Independent 'An excellent introduction ... a clear and readable panorama of a sphere that needs to be far better understood if we are ever to understand the Muslim world' - William Dalrymple - Sunday Telegraph