Revisiting Hindavi Sufi Romances

Revisiting Hindavī Sufi Romances is an in-depth exploration of the various facets of north Indian society and culture displayed in four Hindavī Sufi premākhyān or romances-Chāndāyan, Mirgāvatī, Padmāvat, and Madhumālatī-written during the late fourteenth to mid-sixteenth centuries. These narratives are of immense value for the study of this period as they provide crucial information on gender relations, the literary milieu, visual and performing arts, sartorial styles, cuisines, as well as the economy. Besides providing a kaleidoscopic view of the period, these narratives also highlight the perspectives of synthesis of the period they were created in. The romances bring out the syncretic ethos of the north Indian composite culture of their period and reflect traits of assimilation with indigenous socio-religious customs.