Islam and the Victorians: nineteenth century perceptions of Muslim practices and beliefs

Author
Khattak, Shahin Kuli Khan
Publisher
Tauris Academic Studies
Year
2008
Language
English
Call Number
DS63.2.G7 K49 2008
ISBN
9781845114299
Reference Only
Off
Number of Pages
205
Library of Congress Subject Heading
Middle East -- Foreign relations -- Great Britain -- History -- 19th century
Library of Congress Subject Heading 2
Islamic countries -- Foreign public opinion, British
Abstract

This book brings to life Victorian Britain's conceptions and misconceptions of the Muslim World using a thorough investigation of varied cultural sources of the period. She discovers the prevailing representation of Muslims and Islam in the two major spheres of British influence - India and the Ottoman Empire - was reinforced by reoccurring themes: through literature and entertainment the public saw "the Mahomedan" as the "noble savage", a perception reinforced through travel writing and fiction of the "exotic east" and the "Arabian Nights".