This is a groundbreaking study of the circulation of Arabic and Persian poetry and poets in the Western Indian Ocean world, meticulously researched, drawing on a wealth of unpublished manuscript material.

Andrew Peacock, Professor of Middle Eastern and Islamic History, University of St Andrews, UK

A landmark contribution in the field of Persianate studies, James White's erudite study introduces readers to a vibrant multilingual republic of letters in the littoral communities of the Arabian Sea in the early modern period. We gain expert insight into the workings of a transnational network of men of letters, some familiar names from published scholarship, others freshly resurrected from the archives, as they travelled and interacted with other poets, and read, composed, and anthologized poetry. The interspersed elegant translations and close readings of poems showcase an astounding breadth of scholarship.

Professor Sunil Sharma, Boston University, USA

Now and then one comes across a volume that speaks and excites in such a manner that, instead of the critical stance in which one thinks: that is not how I would have written it, one wonders: wow, this is the book that I wish I had written!

The Muslim World Book Review