Written lucidly and critically, the book highlights the prominent trends in thought and institutions of medieval India. A special feature of the book is that it takes in its purview not only the north Indian trends, but covers the thought currents and their expressions in institutions as prevalent in medieval South India as well. Throughout the book one finds a common line of thought running, as a string through the beads, showing the process of gradual synthesis of Muslim and Hindu ideas and institutions. It is a well-written work in which one finds a proper balance in treatment between different parts of India. Mughal Kingship, for example, receives as much attention as kingship under Vijayanagara and its offshoots; the Mansabdari system under the Mughals gets equal importance with the Maharashtra Dharma and Maratha Confederacy. The book is of great value to the research scholars, students and general readers alike.
Formerly Professor and Head of the Department of History in the University of Poona, Dr. K.N. Chitnis has been engaged in historical research all these years. He is a well-known history scholar and has produced a number of research books on history, the last but one being the Glimpses of Maratha Socio-Economic History published by M/s Atlantic Publishers and Distributors, New Delhi. This has earned the remark of the reviewer in The Indian Historical Review that the work presents “a new conceptual framework and analytical thrust” to the subject matter. His writings have also attracted comments from foreign scholars. He has specialised in the medieval history of India, particularly of South India. His main interest is in the socio-economic field.
Among his other books, mention may be made of Keladi Polity, The Nawabs of Savanur, Socio-Economic History of Medieval India and Research Methodology in History. He has also edited some books such as Savanur Nawabs : Historical Documents and Shivaji-Mallammaji Samarotsava.
Besides English he knows Sanskrit, Kannada, Marathi and Hindi languages and also the Modi script. He has a cursory acquaintance with Persian in respect of administrative and economic matters. He has attended a number of national and international seminars and conferences.
