The History of India

A benchmark two-volume history, published in 1841 and the most popular work of its kind among the early Victorian public.

Mountstuart Elphinstone (Author)

9781108056229, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 28 February 2013

734 pages
21.6 x 14 x 4.1 cm, 0.92 kg

Appointed through family influence to the East India Company, Mountstuart Elphinstone (1779–1859) arrived on the subcontinent in 1796, quickly learning Persian and developing an interest in Indian civilisation. After postings in Benares, Afghanistan and Poona, he became governor in 1819 of the recently acquired territory that became known as the Bombay Presidency, where he remained until his resignation in 1827. On his return to England, he devoted much of his time to writing and was a founder member of the Royal Geographical Society. This two-volume history, based on a range of Indian sources and first published in 1841, is infused with his lifelong understanding of Indian culture, science and philosophy. A scholarly refutation of James Mill's History, it was the most popular work of its kind among the early Victorian public. Volume 2 covers the period from the thirteenth century to the demise of the Mogul empire in the mid-eighteenth century.

Part VI. Kings of Delhi up to the Accession of the House of Teimur: 1. Slave kings
2. Lal u din Khilji
3. House of Toghlak, Seiads, and House of Lodi
Part VII. From the Conquest of Baber to the Accession of Akber: 1. Reign of Baber
2. First reign of Humayun
3. Shir Shah and others of the family of Sur
4. Humayun restored
Part VIII. State of India up to the Accession of Akber: 1. History of the Bahmani kingdom of the Deckan and its subsequent divisions
2. Other kingdoms formed on the dissolution of the empire
3. Internal state of India
Part IX. Akber: 1. From 1556 to 1586
2. From 1586 to the death of Akber
3. Internal policy
Part X. Jehangir to Shah Jehan: 1. Jehangir
2. Shah Jehan till 1657
3. From 1657 to the deposal of Shah Jehan
Part XI. Aurangzib (or Alamgir): 1. From 1658 to 1662
2. From 1662 to 1681
3. From 1681 to 1698
4. From 1698 to the death of Aurangzib
Part XII. Successors of Aurangzib: 1. To the accession of Mohammed Shah
2. To the departure of Nadir Shah
3. To the death of Mohammed Shah
4. To the extinction of the Mogul empire.

Subject Areas: Asian history [HBJF]