Mirigavati or The Magic Doe is the work of Shaikh Qutban Suhravardi; an Indian Sufi master who was also an expert poet and storyteller attached to the glittering court-in-exile of Sultan Husain Shah Sharqi of Jaunpur. Composed in 1503 as an introduction to mystical practice for disciples; this powerful Hindavi or early Hindi Sufi romance is a richly layered and sophisticated text; simultaneously a spiritual enigma and an exciting love story full of adventures. The Mirigavati is both an excellent introduction to Sufism and one of the true literary classics of pre-modern India; a story that draws freely on the large pool of Indian; Islamic; and European narrative motifs in its distinctive telling of a mystical quest and its resolution. Adventures from the Odyssey and the voyages of Sindbad the Sailor--sea voyages; encounters with monstrous serpents; damsels in distress; flying demons and cannibals in caves; among others--surface in Suhravardi 's rollicking tale; marking it as first-rate entertainment for its time and; in private sessions in Sufi shrines; a narrative that shaped the interior journey for novices. Before his untimely death in 2009; Aditya Behl had finished this complete blank verse translation of the critical edition of the Mirigavati; an epic romance that is also the symbolic key to a secret Sufi mystical tradition and a gem of Indian and world literature.
#44268 in Books Alan Taylor 2012-11-08Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 4.40 x .50 x 6.70l; .30 #File Name: 0199766231168 pagesColonial America A Very Short Introduction
Review
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. Fine Writer Well FocusedBy Joel CairoAn excellent alternative to reading the first few chapters of a survey of US History. Not a substitute for reading Taylor's classic American Colonies; but a cogently organized; well-written summary of what the last generation of historians has taught us about the European colonization of the Northern half of the Western Hemisphere (with a little on the Pacific Islands as a bonus). The chronology and bibliographic essay at the end are a welcome feature. Can be read in two or three hours tops. Makes me interested in sampling the rest of the Very Short Introduction series.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. This is as good as it gets when it comes to "short" historyBy L. M. BinderThis is as good as it gets when it comes to "short" history. Taylor is succinct without being abstract. This short volume of early American history is highly readable; serious; and informative. It gives a precise overview of colonial history; highlighting causal links to important developments. It is well organized and up-to-date in its research and bibliography: A great way to start learning about this topic or; as in my case; to review and update my knowledge of this historical epoch. I highly recommend it.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Read it for my American history courseBy Yash PandeyThe book was easy to read and very clear. It presents important information in an organized fashion. The author presents the material in an interesting and informative way.
