A Muslim conspiracy in British India? : politics and paranoia in the early nineteenth-century Deccan / Chandra Mallampalli.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Mallampalli, Chandra, 1965- author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Muslims--India--Deccan--History--19th century.

Muslims.

Allegiance.

History.

Conspiracies.

Paranoia--Political aspects.

Paranoia.

Deccan (India)--Ethnic relations--History--19th century.

Deccan (India).

Deccan (India)--Politics and government--19th century.

Paranoia--Political aspects--India--Deccan--History--19th century.

Conspiracies--India--Deccan--History--19th century.

Allegiance--India--Deccan--History--19th century.

India--History--British occupation, 1765-1947.

India.

Ethnic relations.

Politics and government.

India--Deccan.

Genre:

History.

Physical Description:

xi, 240 pages ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Cambridge, United Kingdom : Cambridge University Press, 2017.

Summary:

"As the British prepared for war in Afghanistan in 1839, rumours 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 travellers, 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"--Provided by publisher.

Contents:

The fear of itinerant Muslims

Prince Mubariz ud-Daula

A fondness for military display

A diamond in the trough

Slaying men with faces of women

Conclusions.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9781107196254

1107196256

OCLC:

982091995