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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…
Jodha Bai in Popular Imagination Among the many puzzles associated with the history of the Mughals of India is the persona of Queen Jodha Bai, daughter of Raja Bharmal/Biharimal of Amber (modern Jaipur). In popular imagination, she is generally identified with Emperor Akbar’s chief wife and the mother of the crown prince Salim, who succeeded…
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…
The Enduring Legend of Anarkali The literal meaning of legend, according to the Webster dictionary is any story coming down from the past, especially one popularly taken as historical though not verifiable. This definition can be aptly applied to a popular legend associated with the history of Mughal India namely the alleged romance of Prince…
It’s a well-worn adage: “Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” But perhaps an even more insidious truth lurks beneath: those who manipulate history often wield it as a tool to divide, conquer, and secure political advantage. This practice, far from being a modern phenomenon, has deep roots, particularly in…
Introduction: Allahabad’s Diminished Stature Once the educational and political heart of India, Allahabad now stands as a shadow of its former self. The era of Anand Bhawan’s political centrality has passed, and the University of Allahabad no longer produces the same constellation of scholars. The city’s famed Civil Lines market has also lost its original…
Remembering DarusSalam and My Brother Kalim On a recent visit to DarusSalam, the house built by my revered father in Rajapur (Allahabad, India), I was overwhelmed with grief by the absence of my dear brother Kalim. In fact, I have yet to come to terms with the fact that Kalim is no more with us….
