Padma Bhushan Professor Irfan Habib, born on August 10, 1931, in Vadodara, Gujarat, is a towering figure in the study of medieval Indian history, renowned for his Marxist historiography and contributions to economic and social history. A Professor Emeritus at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Habib, at 93, remains a vibrant scholar, still cycling to the History Department, embodying a lifelong passion for knowledge. Hailing from a family deeply rooted in India’s freedom movement, his work has reshaped understandings of the Mughal era, ancient India, and colonialism’s impact, earning him global acclaim and prestigious honors.
A Scholarly Legacy
Habib’s academic journey began at AMU, where he earned his BA and MA in history, followed by a DPhil from Oxford University under C.C. Davies. Joining AMU’s faculty, he served as Professor of History from 1969 to 1991 and is now Professor Emeritus. His seminal works include The Agrarian System of Mughal India, 1556–1707 (1963), a groundbreaking study of Mughal economic structures, and An Atlas of the Mughal Empire (1982), mapping political and economic landscapes. As general editor of the People’s History of India series, he has overseen 30+ volumes, covering prehistory to modern times, blending rigorous scholarship with accessible narratives.
His Marxist approach emphasizes economic structures and class relations, challenging colonial and nationalist historiographies. Habib’s research spans ancient Indian technology, medieval administration, and the impact of British rule, earning praise from peers like Amiya Kumar Bagchi, who called him one of India’s greatest living historians of the 12th–18th centuries.
A Family of Freedom Fighters
Born into a prominent Muslim family, Habib’s heritage is steeped in India’s independence struggle. His father, Mohammad Habib, was a noted historian and Indian National Congress member, and his mother, Sohaila, was the daughter of Abbas Tyabji, a Gandhian and former Chief Justice of Baroda. This legacy shaped Habib’s commitment to secularism and social justice, evident in his vocal opposition to Hindutva and “saffronisation” of history. At the 1998 Indian History Congress, he led a resolution against rewriting history to suit political agendas, criticizing BJP-led textbook revisions that marginalized Muslim contributions.
Honors and Impact
Habib’s contributions have earned him accolades like the Padma Bhushan (2005), India’s third-highest civilian honor, the Watumull Prize (1982), and a 2021 Honorary Fellowship from New College, Oxford. He served as Chairman of the Indian Council of Historical Research (1986–90) and General President of the Indian History Congress (1981), shaping historical discourse. His books, like Medieval India: The Study of a Civilization (2008), remain essential for students and scholars.
At 93, Habib’s dedication endures, cycling daily to AMU’s History Department, as noted in a 2024 post by Samim Asgor Ali. His wife, Sayera, was an economics professor at AMU, and their children—Faiz (cartographer), Amber (mathematician), and Saman (scientist)—carry forward the family’s academic legacy.
Lessons for Today
Like the Dahomey Amazons’ cornrow maps or the ingenuity behind the Lamassu, Habib’s work reflects resilience and innovation in preserving truth. His lessons include:
Intellectual Tenacity: His continued engagement at 93 inspires lifelong learning and dedication to truth, urging us to stay curious.
Challenging Narratives: Like the Amazons’ covert strategies, Habib’s critique of biased histories encourages questioning dominant narratives with evidence.
Cultural Preservation: His scholarship preserves India’s diverse past, akin to protecting sites like Newgrange, fostering pride in shared heritage.
A Living Legend
Irfan Habib, cycling through AMU’s campus at 93, is a living bridge to India’s past. His Padma Bhushan, Marxist lens, and freedom-fighter roots have made him a giant of medieval history, illuminating the Mughal era and beyond. Like the Tasmanian tiger’s rock art or Pont Alexandre III’s grandeur, Habib’s work endures, inviting us to explore history’s depths with rigor and passion.
