Perceptions of urbanity, urbanization and town life in medieval India: Insights from Banarasidas’s Ardhakathanak

Abstract

This paper examines the perceptions of urbanity, urbanization, and town life in medieval and early modern India, focusing on Ardhakathanak (a half story), a 17th-century autobiographical account of a trader named Banarasidas. The study delves into the urbanization processes during the Mughal period, exploring how cities, towns, and qasbas functioned as economic, social, and cultural centers. By analyzing Ardhakathanak, this paper seeks to understand the lived experiences of urban dwellers, particularly traders, and how they navigated the complexities of urban life, trade networks, and their interactions with Mughal authorities. Thus, Banarasidas’ narrative, therefore, offers a rare bottom-up perspective on urban life during the Mughal period.