The Mughal World: India's Tainted Paradise

by Abraham Eraly

The Mughal emperors were larger-than-life figures, men written on a supra-human scale who exercised absolute power. The three centuries of their rule mark one of the most crucial and fascinating periods of Indian history. This study looks beyond the story of the empire's rise and fall—an exotic growth that was transplanted to India from Islamic Persia—to bring the world of the Mughal ruler and Hindu subject vividly into focus. Blending contemporary sources and detailed description, an India full of strangeness and contrast is introduced: sacred harems and suttee rites, brutal war and cultural and artistic refinement, staggering opulence, deviant indulgences, and abject poverty. The bizarre religious cults, the Mughal fondness for formal gardening, the murderous female bandits, the sex lives of the nobles, and beyond—almost every aspect of life is examined, making this a comprehensive and absorbing introduction to India's last Golden Age.

Genres: History, India, Nonfiction

448 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2015

About the author

Abraham Eraly is an Indian writer. He has written many acclaimed books on Indian history.

Reviews

[W · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life was good for India's Great Mughal Emperors. The empire was vast,their power was absolute,they had great wealth,and they indulged in all kinds of luxury. At the height of their power,they were the envy of European monarchs.

This is the companion volume to Abraham Eraly's excellent book,The Mughal Throne. This time,the focus is on the Mughal way of life,rather than the battles for the throne.

Eraly knows how to do his homework.
It is meticulously researched, and draws from contemporary sources,including the diaries of European travellers,who were awestruck by the opulence of the Mughal court. Parts of it are very colourful,when the author looks at the Imperial harem, the patronage of the arts and the building of magnificent monuments like the Taj Mahal,which stand to this day.

Other chapters are relatively dry,including those about how the Mughals administered their empire,collected taxes,and rewarded their noblemen. The Mughals could also be very cruel,and this was even shown in some of the activities they took for sport.

At times,the book does get bogged down by too much detail. But overall,a fine effort,which I enjoyed.

[K.J. Charles]

A massive, indeed exhaustive, look at the Mughal empire--administration, military organisation, food, sexual mores, religious structure, class structure. It's massive, and obviously some parts are really not for the general reader (or not this one anyway). Along with his book The Mughal Throne I feel like I have a lot more sense of what/when/how the Mughal empire was, which is a start to a shamefully neglected part of my education. Highly informative and colourful, if not light reading.

Author feels very strongly that the empire was administratively speaking basically a disgrace and shambles after Akbar, and makes a case for this whose merits I am in no way equipped to judge, but it's fascinating to read. The empire was just too big, and the Mughals (except Akbar) too focused on their own enrichment--emperor after emperor presiding over a system of squeezing the poor till the pips squeaked, and effectively discouraging investment in the country's future by people at all levels in favour of personal enrichment by whatever means.

Also, Aurangzeb is still a dick.

[Mihr Chand · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author lost me when he stated that the "establishment of British rule saved India from terminal chaos". What do you mean to imply? That the Great Bengal Famine caused by your own dear Winston Churchill brought peace to our country??

Putting my anger aside, the rest of the text seemed rather dry to me . Maybe I don't have the sophisticated taste to devour such books, but I had expected more from a book with such a good average rating.

[Andrew-Mario Hart-Grana · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is OK for someone who wants a rather superficial and simplistic description of life under the Mughals in India. However, and the author fails to grasp this, life is unlikely to have been so simplistic.... There is an emphasis on why India did not develop following the Western pattern and therefore the past is being questioned and analysed using this idea. In retrospective, can we blame the Mughals for the future of India which they did not have an idea of, neither they could imagine?... There is also an emphasis on the use of European travellers as sources. One must wonder whether there are not any other sources that could have been used instead. One must also wonder whether these same travellers should be interpreted differently, not so literally... In a way, the book has left me with more questions than answers, hoping to read other works and approaches that can give me a deeper and more complex view of a world long gone and one that is not so heavily influenced by the present. Surely the Mughals can tell a story that is their own story and that can show how truly diverse and complex their world was.

[Ambrish Mithal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mithal made a comment on The Mughal World — Life during Mughal times
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" An incredibly well written description of the life of the 'common man' during the Mughal era. Most books have featured dazzling tales of Mughal splendour and luxury. It is quite revealing to learn that the 'mango people' were in a pathetic, impoverished state during this 'golden period' of Indian history. Clothing was scanty, housing shabby (mud huts), and the diet was grossly deficient- mostly 'khichri'- barely enough for survival.

Corruption at every level was a way of life, even during the great Akbar's time.. there was very little control that the 'government' exercised on large areas of the empire except making sure they extracted their revenue. The GDP was linked to greater taxation, not to greater commercial activity. By and large the quality of products manufactured was uneven- quality was always an issue in our country.

The plight of the common man was such that it did not really matter who ruled- Rajputs or Mughals or others. They were exploited anyway. Hence there was little resistance to invaders/ different religions! Yet conversions were not widespread- partly because monarchs like Akbar saw little merit in conversion of a population that was generally compliant and meek anyway. The battles the Mughals had to fight were with the local chieftains and kings- most Rajputs were fighting on their side in any case. Towards the later part of the Mughal era, of couse, the Marathas gave them a hard time, and Aurangzeb had to spend most of his reign trying to fend them off..

The Rajputs come across as brave, but not very smart in warfare. They were warriors who believed in honour- not necessarily victory. So while they were fearless, they were almost suicidal in their approach. Apparently soldiers were generously spiked with opium before entering a battlefield. According to the author, Marathas were more pragmatic and fought to win, even at the cost of breaking existing 'norms' and 'rules' of war.

I could go on and on. All in all, a very interesting read. Perhaps we need to refrain from viewing the situation in those times through the prism of our modern day norms and standards, and judge it more by what existed in other parts of the world during that period.. But clearly somethings in India don't change much - the common man continues to be in a sorry state, corruption is a way of life, quality assurance is still a concern..

Highly recommended and would love other's views.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very useful introduction to the Mughal world, as the title indicates, compiled into several dozen short chapters which make for easy reading and 'dipping' in and out of. A concise introduction reviews the lives of the first six Mughal emperors (Babur, Humayun, Akbar, Jahangir, Shah Jahan, and Aurangzeb), whose lives are then used throughout the remaining chapters as illustrations or settings for such topics as the role of women, the common people, commerce, clothing, the arts, government, travel, religion, early Christianity, etc. Along the way such details as when paper was introduced into India (from Persia in the 13C), that Rembrandt was a contemporary of Shah Jahan and collected Mughal miniature paintings, and that Christianity contributed the halo to Mughal art, enliven the journey. But the over-riding message one leaves with is that India's Golden Age was golden for its Mughal rulers alone; the majority of people lived miserably poor lives trying to survive famines, wars and pestilence. It was this poverty, in fact, which impeded India's development pre-18C, together with a culture that had little interest in innovation or exploration, where trade guilds were basically caste groups that provided almost no stimulus for change. In short, Eraly concludes, the Mughal world lacked vitality, a fact often obscured by its rulers' wealth.

This book would provide a good background for anyone interested in Mughal paintings although the topic is only briefly touched upon, for what is revealed (and not); as well as anyone interested in medieval Indian history.

[E.T. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unlike the political history twin of this book that focused on d Emperors and events, this book focuses on 'life' in d mughal world. Culture, lifestyle, revenue model, commerce, administration, religion etc have all been described in adequate detail and in readable manner. But, perhaps by its very nature, the subject was a bit dry and so d lower rating was more for d experience rather than d competence of d author.
Wish to complete the 'Indian History' series of the author and d 2 twin-books 'First Spring' remain to be read. I think they too will be a little dry.
The 3 books by d author that i read earlier were 4/5 and no complaints from this one too.

[Mukesh Kumar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely amazing! Crammed with unfathomable amount of details from memoirs of Emperors to diaries of obscure travellers, brimming with minutiae of mundane daily routines as well as grand schemes. But in all consistently readable, never loses focus on the lives of the ordinary men and women of the period, while taking periodic detours of the luxurious lifestyle of the rulers. The most enriching history book I have read probably.

[Atharva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took me 20 days to get through this.This book shattered a lot of existing biases I had about the Mughals,namely that Aurangzeb was the chief reason the Mughal Empire declined.Eraly argues that Mughal rule was a golden age only in name,for all the wealth it produced went into the hands of the emperor and his officers,while the vast majority of the empire's population lived in appalling poverty.He also gives an exhaustive description of everyday life in Mughal India.Overall,well worth the time.

[Rahmi Kasri · Rating 4 out of 5]

500 years history of Mughal dynasty, I will have to say that the writer knows a lot and had done lots of homework. Well written book. I kinda feeling that nothing is much different with current situation at least in my country, sooner or later my country which is managed somehow a bit a like will also be destroyed by corruption and inequality. will see :-)

[Hayati · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have finally come across an author who explained the Mughals and their age with clarity and understanding although showing a particular preference for Akbar. Will be reading more of his work.

[Nishanth Chakkere Ramesh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliantly written and expansive, The Mughal World covers every aspect of human existence and pursuit during Mughal rule. Abraham Eraly's description of the exotic and the mundane is equally enthralling, and is supported by the records of foreigners and Indians who lived during the period. There are definitely hints of the author's minor prejudices throughout the book, and given the subject matter, it is perhaps difficult for any author to be totally unbiased. However, where he needs to be critical, Abraham Eraly indeed is, and where praise is due, he is not miserly with his words. It is unfortunate that Abraham Eraly is not as well-known as he deserves to be.

[Taloot S. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting indeed but writer seems to have prejudice against mughals at more occasions as he has quoted only two foreigner's diaries as reference to history of more than 3 centuries of mughal empire.

[Wagz · Rating 4 out of 5]

My wife, Her aunt handed me this book. She introduced me to the film on Akbar (Johdar Akbar I think) I was instantly obsessed with the history of India.

It’s a great read and would recommend to anyone.

[Emaad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Social history is often neglected. But when one gets deeper into it, one realises how little things have changed, even though so many centuries have passed by. Absolutely recommend this book.

[Ahsan]

this Book contains entire informations about Mughal Empirors

[Nahian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Abraham's ‘The Mughal World’ delves into the fascinating world of the Mughal Empire, offering a refreshing shift from the typical focus on emperors. This book takes readers beyond the grand narratives, exploring the intricate social fabric of the empire. We encounter the lives of nobles, the hidden world of the harem, and the struggles of the common people.
However, the path to knowledge isn't always smooth. Abraham's reliance on extensive lists can make for a tedious reading experience. Descriptions of magnificent architectural wonders like the Jama Masjid and Taj Mahal would have greatly benefited from the inclusion of illustrations. Their absence leaves a gap for the reader's imagination.

Furthermore, the author's perspective requires careful consideration. Potential biases towards South Asian ancestry and a specific geographic focus are evident. Abraham seems to neglect vast regions of the Mughal Empire, such as Afghanistan and Bangladesh, despite their historical significance.

The book also presents a somewhat simplistic view of European innovation compared to Mughal achievements. While Abraham raises a valid point, he overlooks details like the famed ships of Bengal's Chittagong, which were highly sought-after by Europeans and Ottomans alike, arguably being the greatest ships in the world at the time.

Despite these limitations, this book offers valuable insights into the Mughal world. Readers should be aware of the potential biases and selective focus, but the book remains a highly recommended resource for anyone interested in the Mughal golden age. This was an empire that continues to shine even today, and Abraham's work sheds light on the complex inner workings that made it so magnificent.

Overall, the book earns a 4 out of 5 star rating. While the extensive lists can make for a challenging read at times,the wealth of information it provides justifies the effort.

[Mohit Sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent study of the life of ordinary people and the elite during the Mughal period.

[Rajiv Chopra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again, a brilliant book by Abraham Erally. He carefully dissects the life of the Mughal Emperors, and the life of the common man in the Mughal World.

A super companion book to this one, is "Why Nations Fail", and you will immediately see the lessons to be drawn. The Mughal Paradise was for the Emperor and his court, and yet even there it was a conditional paradise. For the rest of the people, it was a purgatory.

The Mughals did not build institutions in India, and for this we had to depend on the reviled British Empire. While his source of material is largely drawn from the writings of Western travellers, and these may be biased, the fact is that this presents a wonderful source of material for us. Something that we often do not think about when we read about the Mughal Kings

[JUST SOMEONE · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very precise and veritable book when it comes to history. It focuses on the life and times of the Mughals, right from their emergence from Farghana to the last emperor's days. This book is very veritable in the sense that it sways away the fog of earlier times' artificial lives that is somewhere etched in our minds and projects the actual life of the people who lived in that era (which seriously was no way better than this one except that of the king of course). A production of very well informed author and seriously worth reading in the non-fiction and history genre.

[Asif]

Its a most knowldgable book which is written by Abraham Early, it helps us to know the beginning of Mughals and their down fall, Royal attitude to their subjects, Court matters, Personal life and their interests...I think, its a big achievement for those who have curiosity for history and esp for great Mughal dynesty.

[Samuel Rajkumar · Rating 4 out of 5]

The companion book to "Emperors of the Peacock Throne", this book deals with all aspects of life in the era of the Great Mughals. The book is well researched and very well written. Strongly recommended for those who want to get a sense of the times.

[Alex Sarll]

A decent editor could have cut at least 50 pages of repetition and overlap here, but it's nonetheless a very erudite account of a period of which I previously knew pretty much zilch beyond the Taj Mahal.

[Ravi · Rating 5 out of 5]

easy introduction to the Mughals, not heavy like typical historical works it reads like a fiction novel

[Natalia Awasty · Rating 5 out of 5]

An insightful tale of the glorious Mughal empire which came to define medieval India. A treat to history lovers.

[Anthony Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wealth of fantastic details and anecdotes about life in mughal times- I do wish Eraly had integrated some of these stories into his other rather dry histories.

[Ali Rehman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abraham Eraly books on Mughal times are well researched and provides the readers with the true picture of that era

[Dee]

So... this has to go back to the library (someone else has reserved it) and I've actually barely started. Partly because I've been having difficult with his blithe quoting without source information. "Blah blah blah says Some Dude," he writes, and I'm like... who is Some Dude? When was he writing? What are his acknowledged biases? Can he be trusted?

I'm not saying I need a full literature review in the introduction, but maybe a note or two to help us explore the whole concept/mileau?

That said, the actual introduction, which was a summary of which Emperor did what (and who) when, contained a lot of the stuff that I was particularly interested in, so it looks like actually I should be reading the author's other book for the details of how these dudes Persian-male-privileged themselves into an empire and, like, invented a new religion.