The study of the economic history of Islamic lands before 1800 has lagged behind the political, diplomatic and social history of the same area. This book covers three large topics: land, trades and money. It proposes entirely new perspectives on the non-European experience of ordinary people. This is a view from the inside about economic realities, suggesting ways to understand economic history in a social and cultural context. The first of its kind, it will be of vital use to all students of the area.

Nelly Hanna is an associate professor of Arabic studies at the American University of Cairo (AUC).