This edited book seeks to include quality works which provide new insights on the life-writings as an autoethnographical account of the lived experiences of Muslim women in India.

 EDITOR

Dr. N. Safrine, an Independent Researcher & Practitioner, Chennai, India

The chapters (abstracts/full-texts) should be submitted to the volume editor at safrine2017@gmail.com

 SCOPE & OBJECTIVES OF THE BOOK

Life-writings of Indian Muslim women are replete with religious and cultural overtones that render the texts to be surveyed through the lens of autoethnography. Autoethnography is a branch of anthropology that deals with the relationship between self and culture. The proposed volume aims to understand the nuances of life-writings within the rubrics of Indian Muslim women’s lifestyle. By using an autoethnographical approach, the book aims to situate the life-writings as an autoethnographical account of the lived experiences of Muslim women in India. An in-depth study of Indian Muslim women’s life narratives clearly convey that the texts function as critical evaluation of India’s history, politics, culture and tradition through the microcosmic representation of an archetypal Muslim household. The household space includes a distinct spatial division which encompasses the mardana (men’s quarters), zenana (women’s quarters) and the servant’s quarters.

The study, further aims to explore the Muslim tahzheeb pertaining to each of these Muslim communities manifested in their mannerisms, relationship with the British Raj and inter-cast Islamic groups and the interplay of religious tropes such as purdah and zenana. The trajectories of Muslim women’s lifestyles is palpably intertwined with the history, politics and tradition of the country and hence presents a panoramic view of the feminist approach towards the Indian Muslim women’s life-writings. This can be studied by situating the texts within the socio-political background of the cultural ecosystem.

The book aims to address certain pertinent questions such as how India is viewed in the eyes of Indian Muslim women, and how have they documented the same in their text? And how can Muslim women’s life narratives be approached as cultural evaluation of Indian society.

Topics covered by the book:

1. An Autoethnographical evaluation of life-writings by/on Mughal women

This includes autobiographies and biographies of Mughal queens and princess who played a significant role in establishing and strengthening the Mughal dynasty. With a recent surge on historical re-interpretations that focus on the significant role of women in nation building process these life-writings are attracting scholarly attention. Hence a critical reflection on these texts will render a deeper understanding of the lifestyle of Mughal women and how it interspersed with the socio-political movements of Mughal empire.

2. Life-writings of prominent Indian Muslim women writers

Popular literary figures like Ismat Chughtai and Attia Hosain have documented their life stories at the backdrop of the Indian Independence movement and partition. These autobiographical works are a testament to the country’s transition from the reign of the British Raj and often corresponded with the writer’s struggle to assert her individuality.

3. Exploring the Indian Muslim women experience through literature

Autobiographical accounts of successful Indian Muslim women who were driven by passion to achieve their dreams, and mapping the literary landscape of Indian Muslim women through a comparative study of writers across various timelines. Approach texts to examine the ways in which the personal narratives effortlessly captured the socio-cultural milieu of the writer’s era.

The book seeks to include critical oeuvres that will render a deep reflection on the life-writings of Indian Muslim women with an autoethnographic perspective. The book aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the life stories of Muslim women of India and deftly capture their lived experience that unfolds through the personal narratives.

 IMPORTANT DATES

Chapter abstract submission: May 20th, 2025
Full chapter submission: June 15th, 2025
Book publication: August-September 2025

 IMPORTANT GUIDELINES & NOTES

1. The chapters (abstracts/full-texts) should be submitted to the volume editor at safrine2017@gmail.com.
2. A chapter should NOT exceed 10% similarity content from all sources, including referenced works.
3. AI-generated content is NOT accepted. The contributing authors need to adhere to our Policy on the use of generative AI tools and technologies in academic writing.
4. The abstracts/full texts will be shared with the volume editor, and the authors will directly be contacted by the volume editor with an acceptance/rejection/amendment decision.
5. There is no chapter submission/processing or publishing charge. The book accepts chapters free of any APC/fee.