Essays on Literature, History and Society

This volume comprises a selection of the essays and writings of Syed Naqi Husain Jafri dealing with a wide variety of themes. The topics range from the ghazal as a form of non-conformist poetry to Hispano-Arabic strains in English poetry, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan and the Urdu-Hindi controversy, as well as a contemporary critique of madrasa education. This volume is an important compliment (and corrective) to much of current writing insofar as there is a concern for topics beyond the realm of the humanities, thus indicating the need for a broader consensus and a broader view of history and society, and the manner in which literature, language and education bear upon each other. Jafri's depth of analysis and range includes other areas of interest as well, such as the evolution of non-European literary theory and its critique, Sufic themes in Awadhi and Hindavi poetry.