The Mughals and the Sufis

Reviewed by: Fouzia Farooq Ahmed, Quaid-i-Azam University, Pakistan

Published by: Albany, NY: State University of New York Press, 2021, xiii+ 454. ISBN: 978-1438484891.

The book under review is a fascinating account of Mughal politics and its complex interaction with Sufism. In this stimulating work, the author investigates the literature and treatises of different Sufi silsilahs and delves into their contribution to Mughal governance and the impact on their followers in dealing with political and social challenges. Alam’s work offers a unique perspective on Mughal Sufi discourses, highlighting their deep connection within the intricate Mughal governance system and the complex relationships among Sufi silsilahs. The book combines many old themes addressed by the author in his previous writings. The author’s expertise in the intellectual history of that era, combined with his command of the sources, is what makes this work authentic and a must-read.