Raziuddin Aquil is an Indian Historian, Author an Associate Professor in the Department of History, University of Delhi. Whose research interest include religious practices, literary cultures and historical traditions in medieval and early modern India.
His special contribution is in Indian Islamic History and Sufism. He authored many books around these debates.
He was born in a small town Kako in the Jahanabad district of Bihar.
He completed his M.A. in History in 1993 from the Department of History and Culture, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, and his M.Phil. and Ph.D. from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.
He was a fellow in History at the Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, Calcutta. And later he returned to Delhi and joined Delhi University as a faculty.[1][2]
He has worked across the different thematic in the sociological history of Islam in India, Sufism, Vernacular History. His publications on religious customs, literary traditions, and historical practices in mediaeval and early modern India are extensive.[3]
His latest book explored Islam and its intertwined history with India. By examining Islam's development in South Asia from the 13th century to the present, Raziuddin Aquil's book 'The Muslim Question: Understanding Islam and Indian History' aims to transcend the dichotomy of liberal and extremist Islam. This book has critically asked questions on violence, extremism and fundamentalism in Islam. Also, this book discusses the constructive roles of Sufi saints in the dissemination of Islamic messages in the Indian subcontinent.[4][5][6]
In 2007 Raziuddin Aquil authored “Sufism, Culture, and Politics: Afghans and Islam in Mediaeval North India” in this book he examined the political history of north India in the late fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries. The book includes topics including Sher Shah Suri's empire-building, the Rajputs' involvement, governance standards, and the influence of Sufis on politics and culture.[7]
In 2010, Aquil works on Sufism and Society came out as a publication 'Sufism and Society in Medieval India'. These selected studies on the long-running debates about the many roles Sufis had in mediaeval Indian society and culture are collected in this anthology. It centres on important topics including the exchanges or encounters of Sufis in the Indian context, the process of Islamicization, the growth of Islam in India, and episodic conversion.[8][9]
In 2017, Raziuddin Aquil's book "Lovers of God: Sufism and the Politics of Islam in Mediaeval India" examines the connection between Sufism and the socio-political environment of medieval India. The book centres on the important role played by Sufis, who identified as God's companions and lovers.[10][11]
“Days in the Life of a Sufi” by Raziuddin Aquil is a captivating collection of 101 enchanting stories that delve into the lives of Sufi saints. The book provides insights into mystical exercises, charitable endeavours, and the enduring relevance of Sufis in shaping a pluralistic, diverse, and tolerant Indian society.[12][13]
'History in the Vernacular', edited by Raziuddin Aquil and Partha Chatterjee, explores regional and vernacular histories in India. The book challenges the assumption that India had no history writing before British colonial intervention. By examining vernacular contexts and traditions of historical production, the essays reveal distinctly indigenous historical narratives embedded within non-historical literary genres. These narratives are found in languages such as Assamese, Bengali, Tamil, and others.[14]
"Literary and Religious Practices in Mediaeval and Early Modern India," edited by Raziuddin Aquil and David L. Curley. The history of medieval and early modern India, from the eighth to the eighteenth centuries, is covered in the book. The book examines issues of this era's literary traditions, religious rituals, and the interaction between politics and religion.[15]
“Warfare, Religion, and Society in Indian History” is a thought-provoking collection of essays by Raziuddin Aquil and co-authored by Kaushik Roy explores the intricate connections between religion and warfare in Indian history. The book challenges conventional narratives and encourages readers to engage with these complex historical intersections. The book also provides valuable insights into the relationship between religion, war, and society in India.[16]
"An Earthly Paradise: Trade, Politics, and Culture in Early Modern Bengal" delves into Bengal's sixteenth to eighteenth-century trading networks, religious customs, artistic patronage, and politico-cultural practices. It offers insightful information about this intriguing period in Indian history.[17]
He has been writing for publications like Economic & Political Weekly[18], Sage Journal[19], The Frontline[20], The Wire[21], and The Telegraph India among many others.
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