Between Muslim Pīr and Hindu Saint
Laldas and the Devotional Culture in North India

This book explores the changing form of religious culture in the Mewat region of north India.

Mukesh Kumar (Author)

9781009424035, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 21 November 2024

392 pages
23.5 x 15.9 x 2.9 cm, 0.72 kg

This book focuses on the shared religious figure of Laldas/Khan, and uncovers fascinating historical and contemporary dimensions of Hindu-Muslim socio-cultural interactions around his shrines. It explores reformist and extremist politics that have influenced shared religious traditions, shedding light on the impact of the reformist ideologies of the Arya Samaj and Tablighi Jamaat on the followers of Laldas. It presents a compelling analysis of how some shared religious practices persist and adapt amidst the pressures of dominant reform movements. The inclusion of marginalised voices, particularly women, adds a poignant and powerful dimension to the narrative. Through its comprehensive and thought-provoking approach, the book provides valuable insights into the continuously evolving religious landscape of north Indian devotional Hinduism and popular Islam. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.

List of Figures, Maps, and Tables
Acknowledgements
Abbreviations
A Note on Transliteration
1. The Spectre of Binaries
2. Laldas and Religious Duality of Pīr and Sant
3. The Laldas Shrines and Inter-religious Disputes
4. A Fait Accompli: The Complete Hinduisation of the Laldas Order
5. Religious Reform and Shared Shrines
6. Concealment and Secrecy: Hidden in Plain Sight
7. Poetic Response to Religious Puritanism
8. An Ephemeral Line in the Sand
Appendices
Glossary
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Asian history [HBJF]