(Kashmir Rechords Reporter)

An extensive and well-researched book titled The Agrarian System during the Dogra Reign in Kashmir (1846–1889) is set to hit the shelves soon. This work delves into a critical period of Kashmir’s history, exploring the agrarian system and its impact on society during the second half of the nineteenth century.

   In this book, eminent Scholar, Professor Rattan Lal Hangloo provides an in-depth analysis of a transitional period in Kashmir’s history. While neighboring regions were moving towards modernity through political and social upheaval, Kashmir’s economy and society retained many of their medieval characteristics until the end of the nineteenth century. The author examines how the ruling elite of the time maintained control, resisting societal progress to safeguard their position.

Insights into Kashmir’s Rural Economy

The book sheds light on the competing interests among the dominant landholders and the various segments of the peasantry. Professor Hangloo meticulously explores how agricultural production was organized, including the nature of cropping patterns, agricultural technology, revenue assignments, and the role of assignees and grantees in the rural economy. He also discusses the complex relationship between land revenue administration and its impact on the peasantry, as well as trade patterns during this period.

Key Findings on Land Ownership and Manipulation of Power

One of the central revelations of the book is the absence of a pure landlord class during this era. Instead, a diverse group of land assignees and grantees manipulated the administrative system for their own benefit, further complicating the agrarian structure. Professor Hangloo’s work serves as a critical and comprehensive study of this period, offering new insights that have not been explored in such detail before.

About the Author

Professor Rattan Lal Hangloo is an esteemed scholar and historian, currently serving as Honorary Vice-Chancellor of Nobel International University (Toronto, Canada) at its USA campus and a Distinguished Visiting Professor at SRM University, Amravati, Andhra Pradesh. He has previously held notable positions such as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kalyani, University of Allahabad, and Professor and Head of the History Department at Hyderabad Central University.

Professor Hangloo has authored numerous influential publications, including Agrarian System of Kashmir (1846–1900), State in Medieval Kashmir (reprinted in 2022 by Routledge, Francis, and Taylor), and Kashmir Before the Accession and After (2022), which was a best-seller on Amazon. His other notable works include: The Inquiries in Medieval India: Religion, Society, Culture, and Polity (2022) and Indian Diaspora in the Caribbean (2012, reprint 2015). He has also contributed over 250 papers to national and international journals.

Awards and Recognition

Professor Hangloo’s outstanding contributions to education and research have earned him several prestigious awards. These include the Senior Fulbright Fellowship (USA), DAAD Fellowship (Germany), and Fellowship by Maison des Sciences de l’Homme (FMSH), Paris. He has also been honored with the Mother Teresa International Award for Eminent Academician (2016), Sir Syed National Award for Education, and the Dewang Mehta Award for Outstanding Contribution to Education, among others.

Professor Hangloo’s research areas encompass South Asian history, politics, and culture, with a focus on the agrarian economy, state and society in medieval and modern India, and the ecological and political issues affecting Kashmir. His work continues to shape scholarly understanding of the complex dynamics of Indian and Kashmiri history.