THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES

ST. AUGUSTINE
DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY

HIST 2501: SOUTH ASIAN HISTORY 1500 TO 1860

SEMESTER I - 2023-2024

COURSE OBJECTIVES

At the end of the course students should be able to:

- Identify the defining events in the history of South Asia during the period 1500-1860.
- Analyse the impact of the Muslim and British presence on the Indian sub-continent.
- Understand the nature of the impact of Mughal and British social, economic, and
political policies on South Asia from 1500-1860.
- Explore the areas of trade, tribute and empire during the 17th and 18th centuries.
- Analyse the various social and religious currents from 1500-1860.
- Evaluate both British attitudes towards India, and the Indian response.
COURSE OUTLINE

1. Introduction; Themes and Concepts; Cultural Encounter

2. Views of the Past; Hindu, Islamic and Western Notions of History

3. The Mughal Empire: Politics, Administration and Governance

4. The Mughal Empire: Economy, Taxation and Rural Welfare

5. Akbar; Religious, Social and Political Policy

6. Imperial Mughal Culture: the Age of Splendour

7. Aurangzeb; the Sikhs and the Marathas

8. Trade and the European Presence

9. Mughal Decline and the Rise of Regional Powers

10. The Portuguese and the French in India

11. The British Intrusion

12. Expansion and Consolidation of British Rule to 1850

13. Cultivators, Peasants and Landlords; the Revenue System

14. Western Attitudes towards India

15. Socio-Cultural Developments to 1850; the Bengali Renaissance

16. Economic Developments to 1850

17. Western Law and South Asian Society

18. Protest and Revolt; the Causes of the 1857 Revolt

19. The Aftermath of the 1957 Revolt

20. Review and Conclusion

EVALUATION

A. Coursework Assessment (40%)

There will be THREE pieces of coursework:

1. An In-Course Test 10%
(on Tuesday 10 October 2023)

2. A Research Essay for 20%

(due Friday 3 November 2023)

3. Presentations for 10%

(due Tuesday 14 November 2023)

B. Final Examination (60%)

Students will be required to answer 2 questions in 2 hours. The examination

paper will consist of about 10 questions.