The Ruby in the Dust - Thomas de Bruijn

The epic poem Padmvat, written in 1540 by the Indian Muslim poet Muhammad Jyas,
has often been read through the lens of contemporary Hindu and Muslim
identity. But Thomas de Bruijn rejects the projection of modern notions
of national and religious culture onto the poem, and instead looks to Jyas's own time to find insight into the work. The Ruby in the Dust
carefully analyzes the images and metaphors within the poem and links
them to historical discourses on religion and politics. An important
rereading of Jyas's seminal work, this book provides not only a meticulous literary study of Padmvat, but also a powerful look at the cultural climate of early modern Islam in India.