Advice on the Art of Governance (Mau’izah-i Jahangiri) of Muhammad Baqir Najm-i Sani

Advice on the Art of Governance portrays the political thinking of the Mughals and exemplifies Indo-Islamic political subtlety. Written by a high-ranking Mughal noble in the early seventeenth century, it discusses the ruler, the state, the nobility, justice, the religious elite, the st rata of society, and the various skills required for managing the state. Besides the intricacies of statecraft, the author discusses topics ranging from the problems and concerns of a member of the intellectual and ruling elite to those dealing with friendship, power of wealth, contentment, self-seclusion, and the agonies and rewards of an emigre.

Dr. Alvi’s Introduction presents the first detailed thematic analysis of the Indo-Islamic Mirrors for Princes written from the thirteenth to seventeenth centuries. Presented in a highly re adable English translation with explanatory notes, the book is of central importance to scholars and students of intellectual, literary, institutional and social history of Mughal India and of medieval and early modern Islamic history.

Sajida Sultana Alvi is Associate Professor with appointment to a newly established Chair in Urdu Language and Culture at the Institute of Islamic Studies, McGill University.