The study of the economic history of Islamic lands before 1800 has
lagged behind the political, diplomatic and social history of the same
area. This book covers three large topics: land, trades and money. It
proposes entirely new perspectives on the non-European experience of
ordinary people. This is a view from the inside about economic
realities, suggesting ways to understand economic history in a social
and cultural context. The first of its kind, it will be of vital use to
all students of the area.