HIST 90.15 State and Society in Early Modern India, 1500-1800
This course surveys historical developments in what are now the modern nation states of India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh between the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries. Students will explore South Asian society, culture, and religion in the broader context of state-formation and empire-building. We will examine the makings of the Mughal Empire, one of the most influential states in the subcontinent’s history, its predecessors, successors, and rivals, as well as its complex and contested legacy. The Taj Mahal stands as a powerful example of both Mughal imperial achievement and continuing controversy about early modern pasts. Moreover, this course will emphasize the makings of Islam in India, Persianate political and literary culture, as well as early modern commerce and politics.
Instructor
Bains
Cross Listed Courses
ASCL 54.12
Department-Specific Course Categories
Class of 2023 and Before Major Dist: AALAC, pre-1700/pre-1800; Class of 2024 and Beyond Major Dist: Asia, premodern.