Irfan Habib: The Pioneer of History
“Without undue modesty, we can say we know more about India’s past than Marx did” written by Irfan Habib in ‘Problems of Marxist historiography’ A highly prominent ancient and medieval historian of India, he has served as a history professor in the Department of History AMU from 1969-91. And in 2007, he was granted the position of Emeritus Professor by this university. Having worked in this field for many decades now, he stands from the Marxist school.
Early Life and Education
Professor Irfan Habib was born in 1931 in the Vadodara city of the state of Gujarat. He completed his under-graduation and post-graduation from Aligarh Muslim University in the years 1951 and 1953 respectively. He effectively excelled with first position in academics in both the programs. After obtaining his master’s degree, he started as a lecturer in AMU and then became the Reader here. Moreover, later in 1956; he acquired the degree of D. Phil from New College Oxford.
His Notable Works
Professor Habib has widely worked on
Indian Feudalism
History of technologies from ancient to medieval times in India
Researched on Vedas and written meticulously about it and vedic age.
Agrarian system of Medieval India.
Economic history of Medieval India
Marxist historiography
About British colonialism in India
Indus Civilization
Maurya’s Rule in India
His one of the famous critique about the book “Orientalism” by Edward Said; in which Said stated that western scholars had only glorified their history and personalities and dishonoured the Asian nation but, Habib, explained that if that so then we would never be acknowledged by Aryabhata, Rumi, , Ashoka and Akbar etc.
Habib’s Political Ideas
Irfan Habib is foremost associated with Marxism; he is often titled as Marxist Historian. This signifies his belief in the existence of classless society which ultimately would nullify the concept of upper and lower class and hence no conflict would take place. His works effectively reflects his Marxist ideology. He strongly opposes communalism and favours the promotion of Secularism; a society capable of putting end to the religious tussles among general population. His ideas has influenced large group of people till date.
Some Awards and Positions
He was awarded Padma Bhushan in 2005
In 2006, he won Muzaffar Ahmad Memorial Prize
In 1981, he became the General President of Indian History Congress
In 1986, he became the chairman of Indian Council of Historical Research
He was granted the position of Editor of Aligarh Magazine in 1952
He was appointed as chairman of Department of History, AMU for two times (1975-77 & 1984-94).
He also enjoyed the position of coordinator of the Centre of Advance Studies, Department of History, AMU, in the years 1975-77 & 1994-1996. He also got the position of Dean of Social Science at AMU.
Prominent Books-
The Agrarian System of Mughal India 1556-1707
An Atlas of the Mughal Empire
The Economic History of Medieval India
Medieval India: The story of a Civilization
People’s History of India- Part 1
The History Department, AMU
Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, the founder of Aligarh Muslim, was deeply interested in history and archaeology. Therefore, he put great emphasis on this field. The Department of History has been prevalent in AMU since 1875 when AMU was established as Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College in Aligarh. The teachings on this subject were initiated from then on, and since then, the department has made innumerable achievements and succeeded in various aspects. In 1968, the department was included as a Centre under the Centres of Advanced Study Programmes of the University Grants Commission (UGC) led by an Oxonian, Professor Noor-ul-Hasan.
Speedy research was happening in medieval history during his tenure, and a three-storey building was built for the department. Another very distinguished Professor of the History department was Mohd. Habib, Father of Irfan Habib. He became a lecturer at AMU in 1922 and was an Indian Islamic Historian. He actively participated in the Indian National Movement. He focused on history writing and considered that historical writings should be referred to from sources. In 1972, Mohammad Habib Hall was titled after his name. The department is entitled as the hub of medieval history.
The department has a Medieval Archaeology Section that carries out studies and research on the archaeology of medieval times. It also maintains a cartography lab for historical maps and a seminar library for all the events and studies. The department has under-graduation and post-graduation programs. It also admits students for research. Some major Domains focused on are-
Sources of History, Persian, Vernacular, Foreign Languages
Socio, Economic and Cultural History
Art and architecture history
Archaeology
Islamic History (E.g. Ottoman Empire, history of Persia, etc.)
Central Asian Studies
Military History
Gender History
Onomastic
European history
Conclusion
History is the discipline which engulfs the essence of all the subjects as every subject holds its history for the people to know the base. Aligarh Muslim University has effectively focused on the history department and its development with the ratification of so many people. Its root was created by Sir Syed Ahmad Khan himself. Hence, today the department has a long history of developments or modifications.
Today, the world knows the department and its professors like Irfan Habib, who exercised his knowledge in this institution and worldwide. The various research and studies are carried out here at a huge level, and hence the department is thriving. We can say history department of AMU is still in the great process of creating a notable history of eminent works of its own.
You can also check out AMU notable alumni.