Abdul Latif | Tawarikh-i-Hind wa Sind | A Review
Abdul Latif’s ‘Tawarikh-i-Hind wa Sind’-A Review
Abdul Latif’s ‘Tawarikh-i-Hind wa Sind’ is a historical chronicle that documents the history of the Indian subcontinent, from the pre-Islamic period to the early 18th century. It is considered to be one of the most important works of early modern Indian historiography and provides invaluable insight into the political, social, and cultural history of the region.
The work is divided into two volumes, with the first volume focusing on the pre-Islamic and early Islamic history of India, and the second volume covering the period from the Ghaznavid invasion to the early 18th century. The author, Abdul Latif, was a learned scholar from Sindh who wrote the chronicle in the 17th century, during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.
The work is primarily based on earlier historical sources, such as the works of Al-Biruni, Al-Masudi, and Ibn Khaldun, as well as Persian and Arabic chronicles. However, Latif also relied on his own observations and experiences, having lived through a period of great political upheaval and social change in the region.
One of the most notable features of the ‘Tawarikh-i-Hind wa Sind’ is its detailed descriptions of the social and cultural customs of the various communities that inhabited the Indian subcontinent. Latif provides a wealth of information on topics such as language, literature, religion, and dress, and gives insight into the cultural diversity of the region. For example, he describes the different languages spoken in various parts of India and the ways in which they evolved over time.
In addition to its focus on cultural and social history, the ‘Tawarikh-i-Hind wa Sind’ also provides a detailed account of the political history of the region, including the various dynasties and kingdoms that rose and fell over the centuries. The work covers important historical events such as the Arab invasions of India, the arrival of the Turks and the Mughals, and the rise of the Maratha Empire.
One of the strengths of the ‘Tawarikh-i-Hind wa Sind’ is its attention to detail, with Latif providing a wealth of information on even the most obscure historical figures and events. However, this level of detail can also make the work somewhat difficult to navigate for the non-specialist reader, and the lack of a clear narrative structure can make it challenging to follow the historical progression.
Despite these limitations, the ‘Tawarikh-i-Hind wa Sind‘ remains an important work of Indian historiography and a valuable source for scholars of Indian history, culture, and society. Its insights into the rich and diverse cultural history of the region, combined with its detailed account of the political and social changes that have shaped India over the centuries, make it an essential read for anyone interested in the history of the Indian subcontinent. 0 0 0.
Abdul Latif Tawarikh-i-Hind wa Sind A Review
N.B. The article originally belongs to the book entitled ‘Reviews of Some Iconic Travelogues‘ by Menonim Menonimus.
Books of Literary Criticism by M. Menonimus:
- World Short Story Criticism
- World Poetry Criticism
- World Drama Criticism
- World Novel Criticism
- World Essay Criticism
- Indian English Poetry Criticism
- Indian English Poets and Poetry Chief Features
- Emily Dickinson’s Poetry-A Thematic Study
- Walt Whitman’s Poetry-A Thematic Study
- Critical Essays on English Poetry
- Tawfiq al-Hakim’s Novel: Return of the Spirit-An Analytical Study
- Tawfiq al-Hakim’s Novel: ‘Yawmiyyat Naib Fil Arayaf’-An Analytical Study
- Analytical Studies of Some Arabic Short Stories
- A Brief History of Arabic Literature: Pre-Islamic Period (500 AD-622 AD)
- A Brief History of Arabic Literature: Early Islamic Period (622 AD-661 AD)
- Reviews on William Shakespeare’s Works
- Reviews of John Milton’s Literary Works
- Reviews of Some Iconic Travelogues …
Additional Searches:
