The Mughal Harem

This article is about a book. For the institution, see Mughal Harem.

The Mughal Harem is a book by historian K.S. Lal published in 1988. It is an important study on the history and nature of the Mughal Harem. (ISBN 81-85179-03-4)

The book is a study on the Mughal Harem of medieval India. K.S. Lal writes about many obscure topics like the role of the Eunuchs and drugs like opium in the Mughal Harem.

The Mughal Harem has been reviewed by dozens of journals and has often earned praise. K. S. Lal writes:

Since its publication The Mughal Harem has been reviewed in dozens of journals and magazines both in English and in Hindi. A couple of letters from a scholar in California are indeed touching: "I am quite aware of the years of research that has gone into your work and it is very much appreciated," and "My greatest admiration for your work and thanks for all you have given me in my research for understanding and knowledge."

The review by A. Jan Qaiser of the Aligarh Muslim University (Indian Historical Review, New Delhi, 1991) was very dismissive of the book. K. S. Lal chided Jan Qaiser's review of his book for using improper language:

"This is a specimen of how a review may not be written. For it contains sentences like "whom do you think you are bluffing Mr. Lal?" or "what a consistency, Mr. Lal.?" (p. 346). Such is not the language of scholars."

K. S. Lal also responded to Qaiser's criticism by pointing out that other historians (Professor M. Athar Ali of Aligarh university) arrived at the same conclusions than he.

References

• Theory and Practice of Muslim State in India (1999) ISBN 81-86471-72-3
• The Mughal Harem (1988) ISBN 81-85179-03-4