A Muslim Conspiracy in British India?
Politics and Paranoia in the Early Nineteenth-Century Deccan

This book explores how belief in a global conspiracy against the British Empire ignited local politics and schemes in southern India.

Chandra Mallampalli (Author)

9781107196254, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 29 June 2017

264 pages, 4 b/w illus. 2 maps
23.5 x 15.6 x 1.7 cm, 0.48 kg

'… A Muslim Conspiracy in British India? is an elucidating and at times gripping account that will certainly hold appeal for students of both British and South Asian history.' Zak Leonard, Reviews in History

As the British prepared for war in Afghanistan in 1839, rumors spread of a Muslim conspiracy based in India's Deccan region. Colonial officials were convinced that itinerant preachers of jihad - whom they labelled 'Wahhabis' - were collaborating with Russian and Persian armies, and inspiring Muslim princes to revolt. Officials detained and interrogated Muslim travelers, conducted weapons inspections at princely forts, surveyed mosques, and ultimately annexed territories of the accused. Using untapped archival materials, Chandra Mallampalli describes how local intrigues, often having little to do with 'religion', manufactured belief in a global conspiracy against British rule. By skillfully narrating stories of the alleged conspirators, he shows how fears of the dreaded 'Wahhabi' sometimes prompted colonial authorities to act upon thin evidence, while also inspiring Muslim plots against princes not of their liking. At stake were not only questions about Muslim loyalty, but also the very ideals of a liberal empire.

Introduction
1. The fear of itinerant Muslims
2. Prince Mubariz ud-Daula
3. A fondness for military display
4. A diamond in the trough
5. Slaying men with faces of women
Conclusions.

Subject Areas: Conspiracy theories [JFHC], Islam [HRH], Colonialism & imperialism [HBTQ], Asian history [HBJF]