In my previous post, I detailed my intense two-year graduate tenure at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. I recounted the challenge of balancing my studies and a campus job, the sheer joy of Nilofer and Tipu joining me in the U.S., and the critical academic steps I took, including successfully defending my dissertation proposal on Mughal–Ottoman…

In the last part of my story, I shared how I was promoted to a permanent lecturer position at the University of Allahabad, a significant professional milestone. I also recounted some wonderful personal moments: my marriage to Nilofer, the birth of our son, Tipu, and the incredible opportunity that led me to accept a Fulbright…

In the last part of my story, I shared how I made a difficult decision to shift my focus from the Civil Services to an academic career at the University of Allahabad. I talked about the disappointment of my interview, the unwavering support of my family, and the unexpected opportunity that led to my first…

In the last part of this series, I told you about my postgraduate journey at the University of Allahabad. I shared how I chose History for my Master’s and how I poured my heart into my studies, determined to do my best. I made some lasting friendships and was fortunate to be taught by some…

In the first part of this series, I shared my initial experiences as a student at the University of Allahabad—a place deeply connected to my family’s legacy. I arrived there as a shy, modest student, unsure of my path after a difficult intermediate exam. Yet, through hard work and determination, I surprised myself and others…

For me, and for so many others, the University of Allahabad was more than just a school—it was a world of its own. It was a place where knowledge was a living, breathing thing, passed down from generation to generation. As I began my own journey, I followed in the footsteps of those who came…

Early Life and Intellectual Prowess The year 2025 marks the 700th death anniversary of arguably the greatest Sufi Saint of Medieval India: Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya. Sheikh Nizamuddin’s ancestors migrated from Bukhara (Central Asia) in the 13th century and settled in Badaun (in modern Uttar Pradesh), where he was born in 1248. His father died when…

The year 2025 marks the 450th anniversary of the departure of the first Mughal Hajj Caravan for Hijaz (October 1575) from Fatehpur Sikri, the then Mughal capital. Historian Ruby Lal has described the Mughal Caravan as “a Hajj of women, initiated by a woman, and to a large extent organized by women”. She calls it…