Sun, Emperor and Pope

Jos Gommans is Professor of Colonial and Global History at Leiden University, The Netherlands, where he specializes in medieval and early modern history of South Asia and its interconnections with Europe, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia. In this latest work, Gommans applies his expertise in comparative historical analysis to explore solar worship traditions, demonstrating his continued commitment to understanding the complex cultural and religious dynamics that have shaped civilizations across time and geography. His interdisciplinary approach and deep knowledge of both South Asian and European historical contexts make him uniquely positioned to examine the fascinating parallels between Mughal and Barberini solar cult practices.

• List of IllustrationsAcknowledgementsNote on TransliterationIntroduction1. The Silent Thread1.1. Great Tradition1.2. Longue Durée1.3. Sun Worship: The Julian Model2. Solar Cult in Mughal India2.1. Mughal Cosmology2.2. Mughal Millenarianism2.3. Mughal Antiquarianism3. Solar Cult in Barberini Rome3.1. Barberini Cosmology3.2. Barberini Millenarianism3.3. Barberini AntiquarianismConclusionBibliographyIndexIllustrations

“Gommans provides an intriguing view of a longue-durée development in global history in which three disparate civilization moments produce variations on a common theme of sovereignty. It is a fascinating study that situates the study of Mughal India, especially the influential reign of the emperor Akbar, in a global historical pattern.The work is methodologically innovative and brings together insights from global history, art history, philosophy, and religious studies. It is a tour de force and a pleasure to read.”— A. Azfar Moin, Author, University of Texas at Austin, USA