Re-Personalizing the State: Persianate Sociability as Political Ethic

This talk shows the central role of social bonds, the intimacy that defined them, and forms of sociability they engendered as constituting the very possibility of good governance just before colonial rule. I read the specific context of 18th century Hindustan against a deeper history of Persianate and Islamic concepts and traditions of friendship and service.  Persianate polities cohered around hierarchically structured social bonds linking individuals and groups marked by dissimilar origins, religious affiliations, social locations, occupational groupings, and claims to power. I argue that forms of sociability that engendered such bonds constituted the very ground of the political and must be part of any consideration of what the state was before colonial rule.

Mana Kia will also hold a discussion seminar on Wed November 6, 2:30, consult the events page for more information.