Irfan Habib, Historian
Historian

Irfan Habib

Born 18 August 1931 · Uttar Pradesh

Authoring The Agrarian System of Mughal India, 1556–1707, a seminal work in economic history.

Irfan Habib is an Indian historian of ancient and medieval India, following the methodology of Marxist historiography in his contributions to economic history. He is known for his strong stance against Hindutva. He has authored a number of books, notably the Agrarian System of Mughal India, 1556–1707, an Atlas of the Mughal Empire: Political and Economic Maps with Detailed Notes, and an Atlas of Ancient Indian History. As the general editor, he is also the driving force behind the A People's History of India series, volumes of which continue to be released.

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A detail that
surprised us

“

At age 93, Irfan Habib still cycles daily to Aligarh Muslim University’s history department, embodying a rare dedication to academia.

The Story

1
In 1931, Irfan Habib was born into a politically active family in Uttar Pradesh, grandson of Abbas Tyabji, a Gandhi follower and Chief Justice of Baroda's High Court.
2
🌍 After studying at Oxford, Habib returned to India to join Aligarh Muslim University in 1969, where he taught medieval and ancient Indian history until 1991.
3📚 His 1963 book, 'The Agrarian System of Mughal India, 1556–1707,' used Marxist historiography to analyze Mughal economics, reshaping understanding of imperial agrarian policies.
4🗺️ In 1982, Habib published 'An Atlas of the Mughal Empire,' combining political and economic maps with detailed notes, a pioneering cartographic approach to Indian history.

🏅 Awards & Honours

—
Padma Bhushan

🔍 One thing most people don't know

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Despite his advanced age, Habib continues to cycle to his workplace at Aligarh Muslim University, a habit noted for its rarity among academics in their 90s.

🖼️

Through the Years

1 photograph from the archives
Irfan Habib, noted historian, captured in a formal portrait (2007)
Irfan Habib, noted historian, captured in a formal portrait (2007)
2007

🗓️ A Life in Moments

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Birth
Born in Uttar Pradesh into political family
Irfan Habib was born on August 12, 1931, into a family with strong connections to India’s freedom struggle and judiciary, including his grandfather Abbas Tyabji.
1931
📖
Publication
Publication of Agrarian System of Mughal India
Habib published his landmark study on Mughal agrarian economy, applying Marxist historiography to imperial India’s economic structures.
1963
⚡
Career
Joins Aligarh Muslim University faculty
Habib began teaching history at AMU, where he remained until 1991 and later became Professor Emeritus.
1969
📖
Publication
Publishes Atlas of the Mughal Empire
Released a detailed atlas mapping political and economic aspects of Mughal India, pioneering historical cartography in South Asian studies.
1982
⚡
Career
Chairman of Indian Council of Historical Research
Led ICHR from 1986 to 1990, impacting research directions and academic standards during a politically sensitive period.
1986
🏅
Award
Delivers Radhakrishnan Lecture at Oxford
Habib was invited to present the prestigious lecture at Oxford, underlining his international scholarly recognition.
1991
⚡
Career
Opposes saffronisation of history
Led historians at the Indian History Congress to pass a resolution against ideological rewriting of Indian history by Hindu nationalist groups.
1998
More moments to come...
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🗝️Discoveries

Swipe to uncover hidden stories
01 / 04
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

In 1991, Habib delivered the prestigious Radhakrishnan Lecture at Oxford University, highlighting his recognition outside India.

02 / 04
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

Habib’s 1982 'Atlas of the Mughal Empire' was one of the first to systematically combine detailed political and economic maps of the Mughal period.

03 / 04
🌍HISTORICAL IMPACT

As Chairman of the Indian Council of Historical Research from 1986 to 1990, Habib influenced historical scholarship during a period of rising political tensions.

No quote recorded for Irfan Habib yet.

🎙️ Speeches & Recordings

These recordings preserve the legacy of Bharat's icons
Delhi jo ek shahr tha I Irfan Habib I Rana Safvi I Jashn-e-Rekhta 2017
·YouTube
More from this archive
Delhi jo ek shahr tha I Irfan Habib I Rana Safvi I Jashn-e-Rekhta 2017
01
Delhi jo ek shahr tha I Irfan Habib I Rana Safvi I Jashn-e-Rekhta 2017
YouTube
Maulana Aazad सिर्फ़ #muslims के नेता नहीं थे। Interview with Prof S Irfan Habib। #ashokkumarpandey
02
Maulana Aazad सिर्फ़ #muslims के नेता नहीं थे। Interview with Prof S Irfan Habib। #ashokkumarpandey
YouTube
Prof. Irfan Habib I Can Government Control What History to Teach to Its People? I AMU
03
Prof. Irfan Habib I Can Government Control What History to Teach to Its People? I AMU
YouTube
"Gandhiji's Vision of a United India: Lecture by Professor Irfan Habib"
04
"Gandhiji's Vision of a United India: Lecture by Professor Irfan Habib"
YouTube
Historian Irfan Habib बोले अलीगढ़ की पहचान पर, MAO कॉलेज से AMU बनने तक की कहानी | AMU History
05
Historian Irfan Habib बोले अलीगढ़ की पहचान पर, MAO कॉलेज से AMU बनने तक की कहानी | AMU History
YouTube
"Enemies of Islam" Says Historian S Irfan Habib On Tablighi Jamaat As He Speaks With Barkha Dutt
06
"Enemies of Islam" Says Historian S Irfan Habib On Tablighi Jamaat As He Speaks With Barkha Dutt
YouTube
First change Persian word ‘Shah’: Irfan Habib
07
First change Persian word ‘Shah’: Irfan Habib
YouTube
Padmaavat row: It seems violent protests were a PR exercise, says historian Irfan Habib
08
Padmaavat row: It seems violent protests were a PR exercise, says historian Irfan Habib
YouTube

🌱 What changed because of them

Irfan Habib reshaped economic and medieval Indian history by applying Marxist analysis, particularly through his work on Mughal agrarian systems, influencing both scholarship and teaching at AMU and beyond. His leadership roles in the Indian Council of Historical Research and the Indian History Congress helped defend secular, evidence-based historiography against ideological revisionism. The ongoing 'A People's History of India' series, which he edits, continues to provide alternative perspectives to dominant historical narratives.

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