This volume re-examines medieval South Asia by placing memory at the centre of political and spatial processes. It challenges monolithic narratives of state formation and imperial dominance by foregrounding the dynamic interplay between power, geography and cultural representation across diverse regional contexts. The essays investigate how authority is negotiated, contested, and remembered through practices shaped by frontier ecologies, regional political systems and shifting hegemonies.

Drawing on a wide range of sources, including travelogues, maritime records, vernacular knowledge systems and regional archives, the volume reconstructs complex historical landscapes. It demonstrates how mobility, environmental adaptation, and localized political cultures shape distinct articulations of power, from the Himalayan corridors to the Konkan coast, and from Awadh’s courtly arenas to Ahom naval strategies.

The contributions further challenge Eurocentric frameworks by centering indigenous epistemologies and regional historiographies. By decentering imperial perspectives and emphasizing regional formations, the volume presents medieval South Asia as a mosaic of interconnected yet autonomous worlds. It highlights memory as an active force that shapes political legitimacy and cultural meaning.

Rich in methodological innovation and empirical depth, this volume offers a significant contribution to the historiography of medieval South Asia. The book is of immense value to scholars, researchers, and students of history, archaeology, cultural studies and South Asian studies.

This volume primarily appeals to postgraduate students, researchers and academics in history, particularly those working on South Asia, as well as scholars in related fields such as political anthropology, historical geography and comparative history. It is also for readers interested in historiography, memory studies and non-Eurocentric approaches to studying power, space and cultural representation.

Prof. Umesh Ashok Kadam, Currently Professor at CHS, SSS, JNU, New Delhi, is as Professor of Medieval Indian History and Early Modern History at the Centre for Historical Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi & Former, Member Secretary, Council of Historical Research, New Delhi & Member, of many apex governing bodies with a 26 years long teaching and research experience at various universities at the Post Graduate level.

He specializes in History of Deccan and Western India, History of the Marathas and European powers, Socio-economic and Cultural History of the Deccan, Trade and Commerce in the 17th and 18th century Konkan coast, Bhakti movement 10th to 17th century, Maritime History of India with special reference to Silk Routes, Urbanization in the Medieval Maratha country. Since last two decades he has been visiting universities in Netherlands, France, Portugal and United Kingdoms to promote advanced research on History of Deccan.