You’ll never feel intimidated and awkward about the customs and etiquette of another country again. With the insights provided in this CULTURE SHOCK! Guide, you’ll learn to see beyond the stereotypes and misinformation that often precede a visit to a foreign land. Whether you plan to stay for a week or for a year, you’ll benefit from such topics as understanding the rules of driving and monetary systems, religious practices and making friends. There are tips on political traditions, building business relationships, and the particular intricacies of setting up a home or office. Great for the business traveler, the foreign exchange student, or the tourist who makes a sincere attempt to cross the bridge into a new and exciting culture.

Book review from: Amazon

This book is the author’s third great work showing the character and personality of Prince Salim who ruled India after the death of Akbar. The present study based on authentic primary sources attempts to present the artistic heritage of his ancestors followed by his own innovations known as Muraqqas in miniature painting which stand out as rare specimens of Mughal painting in the entire range of art history.

Review from:Liberty books

The cultural heritage of the Ottoman Empire has traditionally been presented to us through its monuments and high arts. Our understanding of its culture has thus come from a world created by and for sultans, viziers and the elite of the Empire. But what of the world of the craftsmen and tradesmen who produced the monuments and artefacts? Or the townspeople who prayed in the mosques, drank water from the sebils or passed by the mausolea in the ordinary course of their lives? How did they live and die? To date no book has adequately explored the day-to-day life of the common people during the centuries of Ottoman rule. In this new edition Faroqhi explores the urban world of the Ottoman lands from the Middle Ages to the early 20th century, describing the social significance of the popular arts and crafts of the period and examining the interaction among the diverse populations and classes of the Empire.

Review from:Liberty books

RECONCILIATION is her compelling and convincing prescription for the country at the heart of the so-called Clash of civilizations. It argues that democracy, economic development, moderation and modernity are the greatest threats to international terrorism, and pledges its author to work with the United States and the West to ensure that Pakistan ceases to be the petri dish of international radicals, and re-establishes its bona fides as a realistic and effective moderate alternative for one billion Muslims around the world.

Review from:Liberty books

The last Nizam is the story of an extraordinary dynasty, the Nizams of Hyderabad, and how the heir to India’s richest princely state gave up a kingdom and retired to the dusty paddocks of outback Australia. With vivid detail and anecdote John Zubrzycki charts the rise of the Nizams to fabulous Wealth and prominence under the Mughal emperors of India, giving a rich and vibrant portrait of a realm soaked in blood and intrigue. Above all he describes the strange – sometimes comic. Sometimes tragic – life of Mukarram Jah, his exalted Highness, the Rustam of the Age, the Aristotle of the Times, Wal Mamaluk, Asaf Jah III, the conqueror of Dominions, the Regulator of the Realm, Nawab Mir Barakat Ali Bahadur, The Victor in Battles, the diamonds of Golconda and the palaces of the Hyderabad to drive Bull-dozers in the Australian bush.
A Delicate and detailed work, The Last Nizam adds a crucial chapter to the history of India, capturing the very scent of wine, women and wealth whose appetites kept the Nizam in news ad scandal while simultaneously deepening their legend.

The archaeological study has introduced to me many new chapters of the past. The Pakistan’s heritage can be broadly classified into archaeological sites, historical districts, monuments, ancient tombs, mosques and shrines. Many of us limit the heritage to the above mentioned areas. But in addition, the various events, occasions, stories and customs also glorify Pakistan’s heritage.

The people visiting the historical districts and archaeological sites like Taxila, Mohenjo- Daro and Harappa can never stop themselves from admiring the advanced and well-organised cities of the past. Pakistan’s heritage, in the form of the mausoleums and shrines of Sufis and saints in cities like, Bahawalpur, Lahore and Multan, expresses the marvelous peak time of Islam. These architectural masterpieces give strength and beauty to the heritage of Pakistan. Their elaborate designs and unbelievable superstructure stands as a sign for the new generation.

Moreover, the gardens and mosques inherited from the Mughal era supplement the rich historical heritage of Pakistan. Shalmar Bagh and Badshahi mosque are the some of the preserved signs of built heritage. Many libraries having manuscripts of historical importance are also regarded as a significant part of Pakistan’s heritage. In addition to the libraries, the 27 big and small museums, being the custodian of the signs of ancient civilization, are vital part of national heritage.

To me, the assorted heritage does not end up here. Nobody can deny the position of the natural heritage in Pakistan’s national heritage. Pakistan has been blessed with fertile land, variety of flora and fauna and huge deposits of minerals; all these things have not been found together anywhere in the world.

Pakistan is also obliged with intangible heritage such as music, languages, as well as knowledge and skills. Though a great part of it has been stolen, but I think Pakistan has much to boast herself to be blessed with sumptuous heritage.

As mentioned before, religion affects all aspects of Pakistani culture, and food is not an exception in this regard. In Islam, there are specific rules regarding the kind of foods, which are allowed to be consumed and those, which are prohibited. Foods permissible for consumption are known as Halal foods while the prohibited ones are known as Haram foods.

There is a list of foods, which are considered Haram according to Islam and Muslims avoid these food items. In addition, the way an animal is slaughtered to acquire meat also determines whether it is Halal or not. Amongst the food items which are strictly prohibited are pork, alcohol, most carnivorous animals and blood.

Any animal that is not slaughtered in the name of ‘Allah’ (God in Islam) in the specific way set out in Islam is considered Haram. In Pakistan, the sale or business of Haram food items is also illegal unless allowed specifically by the government for non-Muslims, and foreigners. Therefore, one cannot find these food items in the markets nor can they be consumed openly in public. However, concessions have been given to Non-Muslims and foreigners, and they are allowed to import these items from other countries for personal use. However, it is still not acceptable to use or consume Haram food items in public.

Restaurants in Pakistan are only allowed to serve Halal food and even franchises from around the world can only sell those foods, which are allowed in Pakistan. For example, you will not be able to find hamburgers in any fast food restaurants such as McDonalds, or Hardees. Similarly, the Pizza Hut in Pakistan does not sell pepperoni pizza, as that is considered Haram in Pakistani culture.

The case is same with alcoholic beverages. Most restaurants do not sell alcoholic beverages, and those which do need to have a license from the government allowing them to sell alcohol only to foreigners such as diplomats, or ambassadors. Many five star hotel franchises such as Marriott are allowed by the government to sell alcohol, as foreigners frequent these places.

Therefore, Halal and Haram cuisine has a large impact on Pakistani culture. It determines the type of foods, which are commonly consumed and loved by the society and also the type of foods, which can be sold in restaurants. Moreover, it determines not only the culture, but also the type of businesses that can operate in Pakistan. Pakistani culture greatly values the rules set out in Islam, and any deviation from these rules is not openly accepted by the society.

These books are detailed and can be deeply informative for the reader in terms of the heritage as well as the history behind the heritage. One of these books considered highly informative, and authentic is “Pakistan: The Land And its Culture”, written by Huma Jalil..

The book is about the culture of Pakistan, and it also does a good job of introducing the reader to the geography and culture of the country. The book is an excellent guide to the various historical sites located in Pakistan. In addition to all this, the book also touches upon the cultural heritage of Pakistan by mentioning the folk and legend of history, and the folk dances in different areas of Pakistan.

Pakistan is a country that is very rich in its heritage assets. All these heritage sites are the perfect representation of the various civilisations and periods in pre-historic and historic times that the country has seen. Among the Books About Pakistan’s Heritage, another book is very informative, and thorough is the “National Register of Historic Places of Pakistan: Heritage Assets of the Siran Valley” edited by Yasmeen Lari.

The book offers a detailed account of the various heritage sites around the Siran Valley. Books like “Lahore Heritage Guide” and “Karachi Heritage Guide” are by the same writer and offer valuable information on the cities of Karachi and Lahore. Lahore is the city of Pakistan, which is very rich in its heritage, and they give the detail of sites especially those built during the Mughal period.

The Heritage foundation of Pakistan also publishes many Books About Pakistan’s Heritage. An example of such works is the “Heritage Foundation Preservation Guides”. This set of seven books is highly informative and useful for readers who are interested in the heritage of Pakistan from an archaeological perspective.

The seven guides in this set are mainly about the protection of historic assets, historic conservation, and ownership of historic properties of Pakistan, work being undertaken at the historic sites, hospitality for heritage sites, and the cataloguing done regarding the heritage sites.

When it comes to Books About Pakistan’s Heritage, there are also books about the folk heritage of Pakistan. These books offer revealing information about the folk legends and tales of the different areas of Pakistan. Another book that offers great information on the city of Lahore is “Lahore: Glimpses of a Glorious Heritage”. Another very good book from the perspective of information on heritage is “Peshawar: Heritage, History, Monuments”.

Blending wit, fantasy, comedy, and romance, these tales reflect the Pashtun code of honor and way of life.

Aisha Ahmad researched Pashtun women in the tribal areas and worked as a consultant for the World Health Organization.

Roger Boase is the author of The Origin and Meaning of Courtly Love and The Troubadour Revival.

In these troubled and extremist times, when the religion and culture of Islam are under seemingly perpetual attack, it is salutary to consider how much we, in the Christian West, have in common with, and how much we owe to, the spiritual insights of that great culture. Religious tolerance, respect for learning, the concepts of chivalry and brotherhood – these principles were brought by the Islamic Moors when, in medieval Spain, they acted as “Beacons of Light” in the Dark Ages of European religious arrogance, intolerance and persecution. The Moors gave Europe an architectural and artistic heritage that is still a source of wonder to the modern world. It was in translation from Arabic, not the original Greek, that knowledge of Greek philosophy became prominent in Christian thought. Western mathematics are based on Arabic numerals and calculations, and the first effective medical school in Europe was founded by Jewish doctors who had been trained in Moorish Spain and North Africa. Tim Wallace-Murphy shows how over the last century it was European Western powers who laid the foundations for the chaos that reigns in the Middle East. We need to find a just and equitable solution to these problems and we should begin by acknowledging our common spiritual heritage and the profound debt that Western civilization owes to Islamic culture.

Book review from Liberty Books