Book Review: The Diary of a Social Butterfly by Moni Mohsin

I bought this book when I thought I was giving too much time to history and politics. So I bought this one- just for a break.


This is an interesting book about a Pakistani elite woman who lives in her own world. The writer brought together many acts, events, attitudes and sophistication into one character called ‘Butterfly’.


Butterfly lives in a high society where she acts and behaves in a certain manner. This provokes the reader in thinking about the different social relations which exist in a multi-dimensional society. The under privileged has certain needs, fears and anxieties whereas the elite who make up their own bubble live a totally different life. The character of Butterfly is pre occupied with in laws, black magic, money, weddings, parties, charity balls, scandals, consumerism, property and wealth.


This book has been written at a time when Pakistan was going through turbulent times in its history. 9/11, Invasion of Iraq, Kashmir Earthquake, Tsunami, Lal Masjid and Benazir’s assassination also affect Butterfly’s life, but to what extent? This could only be uncovered giving this book a read.

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Book Review: 11 Life Lessons from Nelson Mandela by Ndaba Mandela

Ndaba Mandela, the grandson of Nelson Mandela, writes this book as an account of his experiences with his grandfather. This includes his upbringing by his grandfather, troubles in life, lessons and principles learnt from his grandfather.


Based on eleven chapters this book brings to light the dimensions of Nelson Mandela’s life, never discussed before. The author discusses apartheid in daily life in South Africa. The police could raid any house on any street at any time considered appropriate by them. He further says that black South Africans had been deprived of educational, social, political and economic opportunities and it wanted to take many generations to overcome the disadvantaged position. Moreover, the author writes about his grandfather’s struggle in life. His grandfather had lived twenty-seven years of his life in prison. Nelson Mandela said: “But If you learn your enemy’s language, you have a great power over him.” That is why he wanted his grandson to learn different languages.”


Ndaba traces history of Mandelas, discusses various short stories and memories to explain his opinion about certain ideas. Ndaba narrates a story about losing his school journey twice. On hearing this Nelson Mandela gets upset and teaches him a lesson. I believe this story shows a strong, disciplined and principled Mandela who wanted to buy good strong training of his grandson. Ndaba further writes about his grandfather that he was very punctual about his morning walk and exercise. When there were first presidential elections in in South Africa Nelson Mandela was hesitant to participate. He wanted someone young who had a better insight of the current issues of South Africa.


Ndaba talks about the strained relation between his parents and how he was to live with his grandparents due to his strained relation. Ndaba’s mother and his father died of HIV. First his mother then his father. Both times he was not aware about the nature of their illness. This had a huge effect on Ndaba who believes that he should have been told by his family members.


Madiba (Nelson Mandela) asked his black countrymen to forgive the atrocities of apartheid. He was using nonviolence not as a moral principal but as a strategy. In jail he was observing the happenings in Uganda, Zimbabwe and Nigeria. They gained their independence and kicked out the white people resulting in a dead economy. The author views Nelson Mandela’s forgiveness as part of a leadership strategy. In 1998, Madiba went to Kwazulu-Natal for a ceremony where eight-five black families received 600,000 hectares. There at the event he said: “Our land reform program helps us redress the injustices of apartheid. It fosters national reconciliation and stability.”


Once Queen Elizabeth called Mandela. He said, “Hello? Elizabeth! How are you? Good, good. Oh, yes, I’m fine, thank you”. Later Mandela’s wife said, “Madiba, you cannot just call her Elizabeth”. “What are you talking about? She calls me Nelson. We always call each other by our first names. Don’t forget, I ‘m royalty”.


Chapter nine is an interesting chapter in which Ndaba goes to the mountain to attain the tribal custom of manhood after his grandfather’s approval. The details are an interesting read. While Nelson Mandela was at Robben Island, he wrote to the Commissioner of Prisons, I have never regarded any man as my superior either in my life outside or inside prison”.


Ndaba says that his grandfather believed that one’s resolve- one’s truth is the voice that roams within, His grandfather taught him to listen to it. Nelson Mandela died on 5^th December 2013. He was the icon of endurance, forgiveness, harmony and reconciliation. Earlier in life struggled for an armed movement through Umkhonto We Sizwe (MK). In 1962 he traded abroad to arrange guerilla training for members of MK. When in jail Mandela said: “Prisoners cannot enter into contracts. Only free men can negotiate”.


Ndaba Mandela concludes the book with a message to fellow South Africans. He wants them to fight for economic emancipation as the fight is not over yet.

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Book Review: Aurangzeb- The Man and The Myth by Audrey Truschke

The author of this book specializes in Mughal history and Mughal Empire. This book is based on eight chapters. Aurangzeb ruled for forty-nine years over a population of 150 million people. Being the sixth ruler of the Mughal Empire he named himself ‘seizer of the world’ (Alamgir). Aurangzeb was a complex ruler who the author thinks has wrongly been attributed as a villain in history. Aurangzeb longed for territory, political power and adopted a particular ideal of justice.

Some consider him as a religious fanatic who destroyed temples and restricted celebration of Holi. The author stresses that such arguments remain invalid as Aurangzeb issued many articles protecting Hindu temples, granted stipends and lands to Brahmins. Moreover, the author explains that Aurangzeb consulted Hindu ascetics on health matters and employed more Hindus in his administration than any prior Mughal ruler. In fact, the top positions in his government were given to Hindus. Raghunatha was appointed diwani (Chief finance minister of the empire) by Auragzeb.

Aurangzeb was born in 1618. He rose to power by killing his brothers and later kept his father Shah Jahan (under house arrest) for more than 7 years. He eliminated the position of a formal court historian, supported a vast imperial library and sponsored the construction of Badshahi masjid in Lahore- built at a time when it stood as the largest mosque in the world. He spent the first half of his reign mainly at Court in Delhi and the second half campaigning in the Deccan. Between 1679 and 1707, Aurangzeb increased Hindu participation at the elite levels of the Mughal state by nearly 50 percent. Hindus rose to 31.6 percent of the Mughal nobility.

Shivaji and Aurangzeb’s fight is highlighted in chapter four. Shivaji was a master of raids and guerilla warfare. The Mughal-Maratha conflict was shaped by lust for raw power. The author believes that both Mughal and Maratha writers gave the rivalry a religious touch, which was not the case. In fact, it was a thirst for political power.

Chapter five elaborates the morality and leadership in Aurangzeb. Aurangzeb prayed regularly, did not consume alcohol and opium. His interpretation of Islam included talismanic aspects and when religious obligations conflicted with state interests he put his weight behind the latter. Aurangzeb sponsored a legal book named Fatwa-i-Alamgiri, revived Jazya tax after one hundred years, tried to ban/limit alcohol, opium, prostitution, gambling, inflammatory theological writings and public celebrations of religious festivals. Aurangzeb had thousands of temples in his domain and yes he did destroy some.  He believed that Kings represent God on earth and thus must ensure peace on earth including religious communities.

The author believes that for Aurangzeb Islamic teachings and Mughal teachings made him protect Hindu temples, pilgrimage destinations, and holy men. The idea that religious institutions could be subject to politically motivated destructions makes many modern people see red, but pre-modern Indians did not show such a firm line between religion and politics.

Furthermore, the author is of the view that: “Hindu kings targeted one another’s temples beginning in the seventh century, regularly looting and defiling images of Dogra, Ganesha, Vishnu, and so forth. They also periodically destroyed each other’s temples. Some Hindu kings ever commissioned Sanskrit poetry to celebrate and memorialize such actions. Indo-Muslim rulers, such as Aurangzeb, followed suit in considering Hindu temples legitimate targets of punitive state action.”

Within a few decades of Aurangzeb’s death, the Mughal empire lost all it had gained in Deccan, and the empire started crumbling. By 1700s, Aurangzeb favored his grandsons over his sons. Aurangzeb died in 1707 and is buried in an unmarked grave within the Chishti Sufi Shrine of Zaynuddin Shirazi in Khuldabad.

Aurangzeb was an emperor devoted to power, his vision of justice, and expansion. In seven years between 1712 and 1719, four Mughal Kings ruled in quick succession. In total five kings ascended the Mughal throne in the thirteen years after Aurangzeb’s death, as compared to four kings in the previous one hundred and fifty years. The author adds: “From late 1750s onward, the East India Company stripped the already-reduced Mughals of nearly all the trappings of actual sovereigns, including their landholdings, an army, and their ability to collect revenue.”

Aurangzeb was an excellent military tactician who believed in his own brand of justice, upheld Mughal traditions and expanded his grip over subcontinent. He died expanding the Mughal dynasty to its maximum. He is considered to play a very important role in the Indian medieval history.

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Book Review: A Life History of Allan Fakeer by Raza Hyder Mugheri

A life History of Allan Fakeer is a dissertation on a legend from Sindh. It covers many aspects of the legend’s life. This book is a scholarly work based on five chapters. The introductory chapter briefly explains different approaches used by anthropologists to study life history. This is done to give a better understanding of the research study.

The second chapter includes the introductions of locale, where the study has been conducted. Titled ‘Life History of Allan Fakeer’, the third chapter gives a detailed account of Allan Fakeer’s life. In the fourth chapter Fakeer’s singing, his style and performance are discussed. The final concluding chapter is regarding Allan Fakeer’s life. His life is analyzed keeping in view a theoretical framework.

Allan Fakeer belongs to the Manganhar community. Some say Manganhar tribe was actually Samma people and because of their profession Mangan (to beg) their caste became Manganhar. Allan’s father was Zawar Daim Ali Fakeer, a well-known drummer. As Allan Fakeer grew old he participated in many ceremonies of his village. He did this with his father playing drums together. He also learned Jhumar (dance) and Sehra (wedding songs) from his father. Allan Fakeer’s mother’s death was the main turning point in Allan Fakeer’s life. Allan’s step mother was rude to him and his father did not pay enough attention to him.

Allan’s step mother was rude to him and his father did not pay enough attention to him. 

Allan started wandering all day. He befriended a person named Daud Fakeer outside Manjhand village. Daud Fakeer was a hermaphrodite who served Allan Fakeer with opium and he became habitual of it. In his village Allan Fakeer was dishonored due to his association with Daud Fakeer. Allan left his village and started begging in trains and buses. In 1976 Allan married his cousin.

 For food he preferred eating fish and pulses fried in black chilies. Allan’s dress and style was very unique. Parts of his clothing are briefly explained. The famous Sindhi poet Shaikh Ayaz appointed Allan Fakeer as a staff Artist in Sindhology. His basic pay was 470 rupees per month. He was not regular in his job due to private performances. Once Allan Fakeer’s beard and mustache were shaved as he had attended a function arranged by Muthada Qoumi Movement (M.Q.M), on the insistence of his close friend. This had a impact on Allan Fakeer.

Allan Fakeer was addicted to charas and hash. He was also fond of drinking. Moreover, he was also suffering from hypertension and diabetes. He died on 4^th July 2000 in Karachi. His dead body was later shifted to Jamshoro. Allan was a comedian, singer, performer and musician. He received numerous awards, both national and international. Allan Fakeer had memorized all poems of Shah-Jo-Risalo; sang folk, Sufi, ceremonial and patriotic poetry. In addition to that Allan Fakeer was a regular singer at the shrines of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai, Sachal Sarmast and Qalandar Lal Shahbaz.

In the concluding chapter of the book the writer argues that the death of Allan Fakeer’s mother was a major turning point in the life history of Allan Fakeer. The author stresses that: “Allan Fakeer;s ascribed status was that of a Manganhar. He performed many roles by his self-choices to earn his living. He was looking for a new role and a new identity. Ultimately, his choice of singing Shah-Jo-Raag in his own created style helped him becoming a folk singer. He adopted a cultural role that gave him an enduring identity.”

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Book Review: Ice Mummy- The Discovery of a 5000-year-old man by Mark Dubowski and Cathy East Dubowski

This is a short interesting read about a mummy. The special thing about this mummy is its discovery by two hikers. In Sept 1991 two German hikers hike in the Alps, the border region where Austria meets Italy. Reinhold Messner, a famous mountaineer later looks at the body. He believes that the body is not hundred years old but it may be thousands of years old.

Dr. Rainer Henn comes to examine the body. Dr. Henn and his helpers put the mummy in a bag. They take it for examination. The mummy is kept inside a room where the temperature is 21.2 degrees Fahrenheit. This is to prevent the mummy from rotting. Dr. Konrad Spindler later examines the mummy and believes that it is at least 4000 years old. An axe, jacket, pants and animal boots made of animal skins are under study. Carbon-14 dating shows that the mummy is more than 5000 years old. The reason for the man’s death is freezing. In Bolzano Italy a museum has been built for the Ice mummy so that people could see it with their own eyes.

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Book Review: The Founding of the Kashmir State; A Biography of Maharajah Gulab Singh 1792-1858

The Founding of the Kashmir State is divided into nine chapters. To some Gulab Singh seemed an opportunist who took advantage of the confusion which followed after Ranjit Singh’s death. He was able to carve out a state for himself with the establishment of Jammu and Kashmir by the Treaty of 1846.

Gulab Singh was the son of Kishore Singh. Gulab Singh’s sons were Randhir Singh, Sohan Singh and Ranbir Singh. Gulab was under his grandfather’s training. One day he was not obedient to his grandfather and got scolded by him. Gulab was left hurt as he was sensitive boy of hardly seventeen years. In 1809 Gulab joined the army of Ranjit Singh at Daska, a few miles from Sailkot. Ranjit Singh in 1812 started his first expedition against Kashmir in alliance with Fateh Khan, Minister of Shah Mahmud of Kabul. Before that Ranjit Singh had received the title of Rajah in 1799 from Zaman Shah. It was Ranjit Singh who gave Gulab Singh the title of Rajah.

The third chapter is regarding Gulab Singh and the Sikh Anarchy. In 1839 Ranjit Singh died at the age of 59. He was succeeded by his son Kharrak Singh. Kharrak Singh was in the hands of his favorite Chet Singh. This created problems and alienated the other officers of the court. This created turmoil. After that Lahore government had made every effort to root out the Jammu family. Only Gulab Singh managed to escape from their thirst for blood.

In chapter five the conquest of Ladak, Baltistan and Western Tibet is covered. In 1834 Gulab Singh decided to attack Ladak. At first there was no opposition as the Ladakis were taken by surprise. 5000 Ladakis were collected in haste abd on 16 August 1834, an attempt was made to stop the Dogra advacnce at Sanku. The Ladakis were heavily defeated. Having finally conquered Ladak, Zorawar Singh turned to Baltistan. Muhammad Shah the eldest son of the ruler of Sakrdo sought Zorawar’s help to get his claims recognized. Zorawar organized a Ladaki army under their own generals and invaded Baltistan. The Balti army was defeated and Muhammad Shah was made the Sulatn. Zorawar left a Dogra garrison to support his authority.

Zorawar now wanted to conquer Central Tibetean Province for his master. He prepared an army of 5000 which included Balti and Ladaki recruits with a small Dogra force. On 10 December 1841 the balttle commenced. Zorawar was helped by a Tibetan warrior as a lance pierced his breast. With Zorawar’s death the Dogra army suffered great hardships. Despite that, Gulab Singh did not lose heart. A new army was raised and dispatched under Dewan Harri Chand and Wazir Ratanu. With the approach of the Dogra force the Tibetans fled and Dogra leaders occupied Leh.

Treaty of Lahore and Treaty of Amritsar are discussed in chapter six. In chapter seven the text of the Treaty of Amritsar is given. Maharajah Gulab Singh had to pay to the British Government the sum of seventy-five Lakhs of Rupees (Nanushahee). The rein of Gulab Singh is explained in the second last chapter. The hostility of the Sikh population and the strained relations with Afghanistan made it necessary for the British government to cultivate the friendship of Gulab Singh and to treat him as a specially valued ally. In 1850 Sir Henry and Lady Lawrence came to Kashmir. They met Gulab Sing at Sri Nagar several times. Lawrence from there went to Skardo and Ladak. The aim of this mission was to explore the possibilities of the Central Asian trade.

In 1841 Gaur Aman the eldest son of Mulk Iman, the ruler of Yasin conquered Gilgit and killed its ruler. Karim Khan, the brother of the dead Rajah called upon the Sikh Governor of Kashmir for help. The Sikhs sent Nathu Shah of Gujranwalla with a strong force to help Karim Khan. In 1842 Astore was occupied by Nathu Shah and Gaur Aman was defeated. Nathu Shah was sent back again and successfully pacified the border, taking in marriage the daughters of Gaur Aman and the Mirs of Hunza and Nagar. Karim Khan who asked for Sikh aid received it mostly and Gilgit got permanently occupied by the Sikhs. In 1852 Chilas was conquered by the Sikhs. Chilasis surrendered and their leaders were brought to Srinagar where they accepted the Maharajah’s authority and left their sons as hostages.

Gulab Singh died at the age of sixty-six in August 1858.The author believes that Gulab Singh was one of the most remarkable man that India had produced. The extension of the Sikh state into Ladak, Skardo and Tibet are to Gulab Singh’s credit.

A very pragmatic decision maker who knows when to fight and when to go for peace. Gulab Singh remained an orthodox Hindu at the Sikh Court. He built numerous temples in Jammu, undertook pilgrimages and banned the killing of cows. The author believes that ‘Jammu and Kashmir state’ is his monument.

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Book Review: Etherton at Kashgar Rhetoric and Reality in the History of the Great Game by Daniel C. Waugh

I believe this research article is a very important one, as it brings out the complexities regarding the politics in East Asia in the late ninetieth and early twentieth century.

Etherton’s career is highlighted in the first chapter. Etherton was a British officer, traveler and writer. He fought for the British in Africa in 1901 and then joined Garhwal Rifles, a largely native regiment in northern India. Etherton’s two famous books are Across the Roof of the World and In the Heart of Asia. George Macartney was Etherton’s predecessor who considered him to be a scholarly and energetic man. The challenges faced by the British Consul in Kashgar are discussed. George Macartney had come to Kashgar in 1890 to represent British interest in the face of the already established Russian presence. His government saw fit to appoint him officially as Consul only in 1908.

Etherton’s responsibilities were political in nature but that did not undermine the question of trade and commercial interests. In fact, trade and commercial matters were also important, even in the period from 1918 to 1922. The Consul cared for the interests of British subjects in its region of China, that is the Indian merchants who in many cases had long been resident there. They controlled the trade across the passes from Kashmir, were actively involved in the trade across the passes from Kashmir, were actively in the trade with Russia, and played an important role in the financial life of oasis towns in Western Xinjiang.

The origins of the Kashgar Mission are discussed in the third chapter. This Mission included three officers which include Frederick Bailey, L. Stewart Balcker and Percy Ethorton. The aim of this mission was to find out exactly what was going on in Soviet Tashkent and to try to cultivate good relations with the new Soviet regime there in order that it prevent Central Asian cotton from being shipped to the Germans. The particular role of Captain Samad Shah, a cousin of the Aga Khan, in providing information is also highlighted in this particular chapter.

The consulate’s intelligence and communication networks are briefly explained in the fourth chapter. Etherton was able to cultivate Kyrgz tribal leaders in the Pamirs for information. On the other hand, informants for Sarikol plateau and Wakhan included Ismailis. Etherton used to send his own agents on specific missions, where they could cross the border disguised as merchants.

In 1918 the telegraph line of the British was extended from Gilgit to Misgar. Writing about the British government policies toward the Bolsheviks the writer considers Etherton’s purpose of network to be two fold. The first was to gather intelligence and second was to take steps which might counter political threats. In March 1921 to Anglo- Soviet trade agreement was signed. This caught Etherton, the far flung representative by surprise. Etherton had even used Fatwa from the Sheikh-ul Islam denouncing Bolshevism. In his report Etherton had included subjects of lasting interest to him which included Pan-Islamic movements and the role of the Japanese in East Asia.

In the second half of this research article the author is critical of Eherton. He questions Etherton’s special budgetary requests for secret service work. Skrine came after Eherton and a few months after that bluntly criticized Etherton in 1923. Etherton took leave from the post in 1922 and had the intention of returning, but his superiors did not wish that.

When Skrine arrived in Kashgar he discovered that the financial accounts in the Consulate were in total chaos. Skrine also accused Etherton of indulging in sexual dalliance with local prostitutes in official residence of Kashgar. Skrine said that for three and a half years Etherton had lovely time at the expense of the poor old impoverished British Empire. It is believed that Etherton was manipulating exchange rates in China, falsifying records, depositing funds in his own bank account in India, and held no accounting for his secret service operations in 1921-22.

The author believes that Etherton published his book to justify his actions and ensure his place in history. Furthermore, the author believes that activities of all the travelers in Central Asia need close scrutiny in order to get a better understanding of the events in nineteenth and early twentieth century.

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Book Review: Afghanistan and the Afghans by Major H.W. Bellew

This book/document provides a brief account of the history of Afghanistan and its people. It gives a special mention to the continuing crisis with Amir Sher Ali Khan of Afghanistan. The author tries to show that Afghanistan is unable to maintain its independence as a friendly neighbor without British support. He holds this view in reference to the aggressive policy of the Russians.

Bellew traces history of Afghans during the time of the Mughal rule in India. He espouses that in the latter half of the seventeenth century the Mughal Empire in India and the Saffavi in Persia were weakening the Afghans made many attempts to throw off the Mughals.

Nadir Shah is presented as a ‘Turkman bandit’ by the author, who overran Persia with his hordes of slave hunting robbers. Upon Nadir Shah’s death one of his Afghan generals named Sardar Ahmad Khan too over Nadir Shah’s position. Ahmad Khan crowned himself as the King of the Durrani, with the title Ahmad Shah. These events occurred in about 1747. From this date commences the history of Afghanistan as an independent kingdom. Ahmad Shah’s eldest son Tymur succeeded to the throne. With the death of Tymur in 1793 the downfall of the Durrani empire became complete. The Barakzai rose to power in 1818 after a period of turmoil.

An infringement of Afghan territory by the Persians led to the declaration war against Persia by the British government, and the conclusion of a treaty between government of India and the Amir of Kabul signed at Peshawar in January 1857. Back then Dost Muhammad Khan was the Amir of Kabul. Sher Ali in 1875 had thrown over the English to try Russian friendship. Bellew makes the argument that Sher Ali in the blindness of his ambition and the excess of his pride ignored the benefits he received from the British government. He further adds the material support by the British on successive occasions of domestic peril, there would not have been a united Afghanistan without the help of the British Empire.

Bellew states that twice Herat was rescued by the Persians by force of arms which involved millions of money and thousands of lives. Moreover, he emphasizes that thirty thousand muskets and two batteries of rifled artillery were provided. Training of drill-instructors and officers, provision of skilled artisans for gun-cap and arms manufacturers were made. In addition, dozens of exiled members of Sher Ali were sheltered.  The author raises a question ‘what has the Amir done for us in return for these concessions and favors.’ In return Sher Ali shut up his country to the British Empire. He not only closed roads to the British but also refused to answer letters addressed to him by the Viceroy.

On rejection of a friendly British Mission by the Amir, the use of force by the government of India was the only available alternative. The author considers that Amir Sher Ali is indebted to the British government for the possession and retention of Kandahar, Herat and Balkh. He opines that the government of India was entering Afghanistan with the pretext of only providing internal security and order but also to provide for the safety of its frontiers against external aggression and intrigue.

Further in the book the Bellew discusses Khan of Kalat, the rule of Sikhs, Amir of Bukhara and the Amir of Kabul. In the last quarter of the book the author briefly explains the different races inhabiting Afghanistan. Different territories are described. The name of origin of such territories are debated. Various tribes among the Pukhtuns, Turks, Hazaras and Tajiks are also discussed.

In the concluding paragraph of the book Bellew explains how he believes that Afghanistan would have never been able to maintain any degree of security as an independent kingdom without external sources of aid-either by military expeditions as in the time of Saddozai, or by diplomatic negotiations as in the time of Barakzais.

The author considers an error on behalf of the British Empire in trusting a ‘barbarous and untrustworthy neighbor’ pointing directly to Amir Sher Ali Khan’s rule.

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Book Review: Karl Marx by David McLellan

I am writing this review after almost six years. I read this book back in summer 2013. Karl Marx was born in Trier in 1818 and he died in 1893.

Marx spent a lot of his time with Young Hegelian intellectuals. He tried his career in journalism. Marx was expelled from Paris for subversive journalism. He met Engels who was the son of a Rhenish cotton spinner. Engels brought Marx a practical acquaintance with the workings of capitalism, provided source of financial assistance and one firm friendship that Marx enjoyed throughout his life. Marx could not complete his work on political economy due to his involvement in the International Workingmen’s Association, commonly known as the first International.

For Marx the proletariat was destined to assume the universal role that Hegel had misleadingly assigned to the bureaucracy. Marx wrote about alienated labor. This labor had four aspects to it. First, the worker was related to his labor as to an alien objet. Second, the worker did not view his work as part of his real life. Third, man’s social essence was taken away from him in his work which did not represent the harmonious efforts of man as a “species being”. Fourth, man found himself alienated from other men.

Marx considers “communism as the positive abolition of private property and thus of human self-alienation and therefore the real re-appropriation of the human essence by and for man. This is communism as the complete and conscious return of man himself as a social, i.e., human being.”

Discussing history, the author quotes from the Communist Manifesto: “The history of all hitherto existing societies is the history of a class struggles.” Marx wrote that “society as a whole is more and more splitting up into two great classes directly facing each other: bourgeoisie and proletariat”: and the same view reappears in capital. Marx espouses a materialist conception of history.

Explaining economics, the author states that Marx gave the labor theory of value, according to which the value of objects was measured by the amount of Labor embodied in them. Marx paints a grim picture of the fate of the working class. He says that “within the capitalist system all methods for raising the social productiveness of labor are brought about at the cost of the individual laborer”. It was Engels, in 1844 who guided Marx’s interest to economics and introduced him at first hand to British Capitalism. Engels survived Marx by thirteen years. He was the keeper of Marx’s archives and began editing his manuscripts of the remaining volumes of Capital.

Under the theme of politics Marx main target was the state. He considered state as the central institution of capitalist society. Marx viewed state as an instrument of class domination. The large-scale industry and universal competition of modern capitalism had created their own political organization- the modern liberal democratic state under which the bourgeoisie could best develop its class potential. Moreover, he believes that after a successful proletarian revolution there would be a period of transition which he occasionally referred to as “the dictatorship of the proletariat”. He associated the word dictatorship with the Roman office of dictatura, where all power was legally concentrated in the hands of a single man during a limited period in a time of crisis.

Marx appeared to be a philosopher, a humanist with not only a devastating account of the alienation of man in capitalist society but also in rich and varied account of the potential latent in every individual waiting to be realized under communism. Later in many developing nations Marxism combined with nationalism functions as an ideology for mass participation in the modernization process. The author substitutes the people of Asia, Africa, and Latin America as “external proletariat” in the place of the industrial working class in which Marx placed such hope.

The ideas of Marx have been an inspiration and has had a significant impact on a large section of humanity over the last century.

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Book Review: Teachings of Rumi by Andrew Harvey

Jalal-ud-din Rumi, one of the greatest mystics of Islam was probably born in Balkh Afghanistan in September 1207. He died in Konya in Southern Turkey in December 1273. Mevlevi order was founded by him and continued by his son Sultan Valad. He spread his vision all over Asia and Africa.

 Rumi combined the intellect of a Plato, the vision and enlightened soul-force of a Buddha or a Christ, and the extravagant literary gifts of a Shakespeare. This particular book is divided into four movements. The first one is call, second is named Be a Lover, third one is Ordeal and the last one is Union. Quotations have been taken from the whole range of Rumi’s work. Letters, table talk, stories, sections from Mathnawi, poetry and prose have also been included. At one place in the book Rumi says: “God is He who consumes man and makes him nothing, since no reason can understand Him”.

On page 23 author quotes from Mathnawi:

“You went on pilgrimage to Mecca, but where are you now?”

Page 27:

“Yet how could I know His presence near me without traveling across the world?”

Page 46:

Take care! Don’t commit crimes and sins saying to yourself, “I will repent tomorrow and take refuge in God.”

Page 53:

“Rise up, use this time richly, you poor man!

If you don’t, you’ll burn with regret

When your soul’s separated from your body.”

Page 71:

“Every low-souled person who confines himself to contemplating the garden remains deprived of the vision of the Gardener.”

Page 91:

“Palace before the sun burning candle,

See how its shinning disappears before those lights”.

Page 107:

“If you don’t have the cane of prudence and judgement,

Take the eyes of the one who sees as guide”.

Page 116:

“From every direction, agonies have crowded you

To drag you at last towards the Direction less”.

Page 124:

“You’ll only enjoy the city and your relations

After enduring all the griefs and ordeals of exile.”

Page 147:

“To speak of God is to speak of the soul

And to speak of the soul is the Speak of God.”

Page 157:

Rumi quotes Imam Dja’far Cadiq. When Imam purified his soul and paid no attention to Caliphs and Kings, was asked about this pride, he replied, “I myself am not proud. I have abandoned my own existence, the greatness of God has annihilated me and installed itself in place of my pride; the pride I am speaking of springs directly out of the heart of the greatness of God; as for me, in the middle of this glory, I do not exist.”

Jellaludin Rumi (1207-1273) led the quiet life of an Islamic teacher in Central Anatolia (modern Turkey) until the age of thirty-seven, when he met a wandering dervish named Shams Tabriz through whom be encountered divine presence.

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Book Review: The Principality and Power of Europe by Adrian Hilton

Adrian Hilton’s book was published in 1997. The author was a parliamentary candidate who also produced many theater programs. He was also a lecturer in psychology.

Hilton argues that United Kingdom has the right to remain independent politically, economically and religiously. He throws lights on the spiritual and political aspects working throughout Europe. Covering many details of the relationships the author stresses on the importance of sovereignty, role of Vatican and the papacy, the threats to United Kingdom, nature of biblical government and supremacy of European Courts over British acts in Parliament. Moreover, effects of monetary Union, European propaganda Machine and the political implications for Christians of Europe have been covered. The author believes that Europe is again been plunged into darkness with a new strategy of domination.

Under chapter one Hilton stresses that papacy was bought, sold and occasionally obtained by murder. He opines that the great medieval struggle between Empire and Papacy was initiated in 1059. By 1409 there were three Popes. Throughout history the Papacy has always tried to impose itself over Europe and European Union is again considered to be overpowered by the Papacy in a new form.

The second chapter is regarding Dis-United Kingdom. The current debate about devolution for Scotland, and assembly for Wales and a loosening of ties with the Northern Ireland, has encouraged the constituent countries of the UK to look directly to Brussels as the centre of power and influence, rather than to the British parliament at Westminster.

Roman Catholicism has a strong tendency towards centralism. It considers it wholly necessary for individual nations and churches to merge their individual nations and churches to merge their individual identities into a larger body, beneath the guise of avoiding future wars and uniting Christian witness. On the other hand, the protestant Constitution of the United Kingdom has served as a strong defense against Rome’s desires for the ‘evangelization’ of Britain. The Danes, the Dutch, the Belgians and the Spanish do not have Constitutions which prevent the ascendancy of a Roman Catholic monarch, leading to submission to Rome.

Discussing sovereignty in chapter three Hilton regards Britain as no longer an independent sovereign state, by virtue of her membership of the EU. He believes that only by remaining free as a nation can Britain adapt to change according to her choices and priorities. The European law takes precedence over British Acts of parliament. Parliament has, therefore, surrendered its sovereignty. Jean Monnet- one of the founding fathers of EU believed in the Catholic vision that Europe should become a federal super-state.

The author espouses in chapter four that protestant countries like Britain and Denmark to be more democratic and open with less tolerance for centralized control. This view is expressed in the fourth chapter. For the 375 million citizens of the EU, all the decisions are taken by just 50 people: 15 heads of state and government, 15 ministers in Councils of Ministers, and 20 European Commissioners. Furthermore, Hilton thinks that British politicians will soon no longer be the representatives of the British people, but mere delegates of Brussels. The forces driving the European collective simply amend rules to suit their purposes, and are quite prepared to act illegally if necessary.

Addressing the question of citizenship in chapter five, the author of this book throws light on Citizenship in Britain. As more of parliament’s sovereignty is transferred to Brussels, the concept of belonging to the British state is increasingly eroded. The author stresses that the far great constitutional statutes for the British citizens the Magna Carta of Edward I (1215), the Petition of Right (1627), THE Bill of Rights (1689) and the Act of Settlement (1701)- have never been expressly repealed, through successive European treaties imply that they have been repealed.

The issue of monetary Union is discussed under chapter six. Hilton considers money and power as bedfellows in all walks of life. He views inflation as a moral issue, a fraud policy implemented by a government which hits the poorer members of society disproportionately. On 15 December 1995. The EU leaders agreed that the intended single currency would be called the ‘Euro’. Joining the Monetary Union would elevate the power of Central bankers above that of the elected legislature. The author believes joining the monetary union has little to do with economic or political benefit.

Chapter seven briefly explains the red real costs for the membership of the EU. Hilton states that since joining the EEC in 1973, Britain has amassed an enormous trade deficit with Europe of almost 70 billion pounds. He further espouses that Britain dos not have to sacrifice its freedoms in order to enjoy prosperity. When Britain joined the EEC it was the third richest member and today it is the fourth poorest country in EU.

The question of war or peace is raised in the eighth chapter of the book. Hilton considers that Britain is being conquered by a European oppressor. He presents eleven points for his argument. Firstly, the nation’s flag is lowered and the conqueror’s flag is raised. Second, the national anthem is replaced by the EU anthem. The blue passport abolished and replaced by a red European passport is the third point. Fourth, there is no head of state in Britain with sovereign power, given that the Queen’s power is undermined by imposed European citizenship. The fifth point states that the media is controlled. Sixth, the constitution and the culture are set aside. Seven, the education system is controlled. Eight, the national religion is changed. Britain’s national religion is already in a state of terminal decline as there is ascendancy of Roman Catholics to powerful media and advisory positions.

Nine, ownership rights are diminished. Other European Nationals can register can register their boats in the UK to obtain a share of the UK fish quota. Ten, a form of slavery is imposed. Those who control the interest rates become the masters of the poor especially if there cannot be removal from power by popular vote. The eleventh and final point is that the nation is disarmed. France and Germany want army, navy and air force under European government control.

As a result, all these points assert that Britain is being diplomatically manipulated and defeated through a peaceful war. The author believes that the aim is to bring about the peaceful war. The author believes that the aim is to bring about the peaceful union of Europe under a dominant Germany, to achieve without bloodshed what the Kaiser and Hitler failed to win on the battlefield. The danger is that this aim totally ignores the democratic process. Moreover, Hilton considers both France and Germany as recent converts to democracy and political stability.

Chapter nine is titled ‘The Propaganda Offensive’. In this chapter Euro-propaganda budget is vast. No budget should be used to finance propaganda. The Roman Catholic-dominated press and other media are waging a propaganda war, but the consequent ascendancy of Roman Catholicism in public esteem and respectability causes concern.

Rome operates in a similar manner to the Chameleon. In nations where she is dominant, she is an oppressor; in nations where she is weak, the strategy is to win friends in high places and undermine whatever challenges her supremacy. The protestant/pro-covenant truth is the foundation of the British constitution and social fabric. Now the ascending religious spirit in the United Kingdom is Roman Catholicism as it is the dominant state religion of Europe.

‘The Only Way Forward’ is the last chapter of the book. In this chapter four possible routes are given. The Norwegian, the Swiss, the American and the untried. The author quotes Winston Churchill: ‘We are with Europe, but not of it. We are linked, but not combined. We are interested and associated but bot absorbed.’ In the last chapter the author states that France wants Britain to share Europe’s defense burden and counter-balance Germany, Italy wants an ally to balance the Franco-German axis, and the northern EU states value Britain’s financial input and its influence in pressing for liberal economics.

Monetary and Political Union for Britain would bind Britain to Europe in perpetuity. Such a move is considered by the author ‘an offence to Britain’s culture, a rape of Britain’s culture heritage, a corruption of Britain’s laws and a perilous surrender of Britain’s constitution and democracy’.

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Book Review: Fire on the Mountain by Anita Desai

Nanda Kaul an old lady wants to be left alone for the last years of her life. She lives in a quite house at Carignano in Kasauli.

This relatively short book is divided into three parts. The first part discusses Nanda Kaul’s life at Carignano. The arrival of her great granddaughter Raka is covered in the second part. The third and last part of the book is about Ila Das’s departure from Carignano. Nanda Kaul’s daughter is Asha. Asha is mother of Tara and Tara is Raka’s mother.

When Raka comes to live with Nanda Kaul she is not received with an open heart. Instead Raka is initially very reserved and seldom does she talk. Raka would disappear all day in the forest and come back in the evening. She loves walking and hiking in the evening. She seems to enjoy her life as she has no responsibility and is free from worry.

In the last chapters of the book the author writes about the changes in Ila Das and Nanda Kaul’s lives. When Ila Das heads home she is murdered by Preet Singh. Nanda Kaul receives a phone call. This is when the news of her friend’s death is announced to her.

This novel has characters which are really close to reality. The description of the setting and characters is really amazing. Yet the language used by Desai is simple and enjoyable for the reader.

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Book Review: Ethnicity and Politics in Pakistan by Feroz Ahmed

The author believes that theory is generalization and systematic and meaningful ordering of empirically verified facts. Ahmed suggests that concepts by themselves are not the motive forces of history. It is the material realities behind these concepts which call for change.

Before the formation of Pakistan there was a center which delegated powers to the provinces for the sake of administrative convenience. Pakistan retained its unitary character, after formation. Before the partition of Indian sub-continent the emerging capitalist class of India was almost totally non-Muslim, and the commercial life of the regions which later became Pakistan was dominated by Hindu and other non-Muslim, and the commercial life of the regions which later became Pakistan was dominated by Hindu and other non-Muslim businessmen. While landlords and peasants in West Pakistan were Muslims, rural life in East Pakistan was stratified along religious lines, with almost all landlords being Hindus and almost all rural beings Muslim.

Migration of Hindus landlords created a power vacuum in East Bengal. The land left behind was redistributed among peasants. In the urban areas the elite in Bengal consisted of the decaying Muslim aristocracy, represented by the regional Muslim League. The urban bourgeois was absent. Instead the small traders, shopkeepers, professional people, teachers, and clerks, became potentially the most important class. West Pakistan also did not have a bourgeois class. Absentee landlords became the most powerful class. The landlords were not politically well organized in this part of Pakistan. The bureaucracy formed strong relations with the landlord class. It rise as a social force and filled the vacuum created by the British departure. The bureaucracy was drawn mostly from Punjab and Urdu speakers of Sind.

West Pakistan received traders belonging to the Memon, Bohra and Khoja communities. These immigrants had come from Gujarat and Bombay.  In East Pakistan due to the absence of capitalists, feudal landlords, bureaucracy, and the military the power structure of West Pakistan became the national power structure.  At independence the GDP of East Pakistan was more than that of West Pakistan. Education was also more extensive. The economic infrastructure of West Pakistan was certainly an advantage. The industrialization of West Pakistan created disparities in the socio-economic development of both the regions. West Pakistan based capital penetrated into East Pakistan. Distrusting the Bengalis the West Pakistani capitalists brought their own managers from West Pakistan.

Pakistan received economic aid from USA in early 1950s. Later it also signed SEATO. The US expanded its share in Pakistan’s imports from six percent in 1952 to forty percent in 1960s. As a result of the capitalist model followed by Pakistan, twenty families came to control 80 percent of the banking, 70 percent of the insurance and 66 percent of the industrial assets of Pakistan. When the decade of development ended in 1968, the GDP of West Pakistan exceeded that of West by 34 percent.

In 1958 there was a coup in Pakistan. Later Ayub Khan revealed that he had consulted officials in Washington, including CIA Chief Allen Dulles, before declaring martial law in Pakistan. During Ayub’s rule Tagore’s songs were banned on Radio Pakistan. As Tagore was a Hindu and considered as a bad influence. Anti-Bengali and anti-Hindu bigotry was rampant in West Pakistan. The remarks made by Major Kamal were highly disturbing. He said once that once the West Pakistanis had conquered East Bengal each of his soldiers would have a Bengali mistress. He compared the Bengalis with dogs.

A devastating cyclone and tidal wave hit coastal areas of East Pakistan. The military government was inefficient in providing relief to the affected people of East Pakistan. Yahya Khan refused to convene the Assembly in Zulfiqar Ai Bhutto’s support. Further in the book the author narrates about the language riots in 1972. He stresses on the basics of language and the makeup of language communities in Pakistan. The author believes that Pakistan is a multinational state with four major nations. Earlier on in the book the author mentions that China, Switzerland and Afghanistan as countries which have various nationalities within its borders.

In West Pakistan very small ethnic groups who could not assist themselves culturally on a nation-wide basis and who had to conform to the prevailing ethos of the ruling oligarchy. Thus, among the non-Urdu speaking communities, Urdu essentially became the language the language of the elite, of the privileged. The author believes that as the feudal system vanishes and is replaced by capitalism or socialism, enlargement of the resource base, consolidation of the productive forces and integration and expansion of the market, will be inevitable. The language which serves as the medium of this commercial intercourse will naturally grow, flourish and become increasingly acceptable to people who speak other mother tongues.

Moreover Ahmed writes about the Arab conquest of Sind. The rule of Soomro and Samo after came after the lapse of the Arab rule. This Rule of Soomro and Samo lasted for about 500 years. Later Arghuns and Tarkhans arrived from Central Asia. In 1592 the Mughal Ruler Akbar omposed direct rule over Sind. There were at least 40 clans who were in rebellion against the Mughals. The Sameja Unar, Chandio and Nomri were particulary were noted for their resistance to alien rule. Kalhoro, a native ruler of Sind emerged after the crumbling of Mughal rule. Before the British conquered Sind in 1843, the latter had established itself as a fully sovereign state, ruled by the Talpur Mirs. Commander Hosho, who became a hero, raised the slogan of Murresoon Sindh na desoon( we will die but not give up Sindh).

The author views the resistance in Sindh as something significant. He believes that it was the most sophisticated tactics of indigenous guerilla war. The British had imposed martial law in Sind in 1942 and did not lift it until a few months before the independence of 1947. Concentration camps and barbed wrires were common sights in Sind. Derailment of trains, breaching embankments and ambushing police parties were common too. Police was brought in to assist in the counter insurgency operations. Ahmed stresses that the idea behind the Hur movement was independence of Sind. In Sind the Talpurs who are Baloch, came from outside. The major portion of immigrants in Sind were from UP, Dehli, Hyderabad and Bihar. The remaining are from Kathiawar.

One million Hindu Sindis left for India. On the other hand more than one million Urdu-speaking persons came from India and settled in Sind.The land brought under cultivation by the construction of Kotri and Guddu barrages was also awarded to non- Sindi military and civil officers or ‘purchased’ by prosperous Punjabi farmers in give-away auctions. The author narrates an incident from Dadu district. A factory was located in Sind. This was a rural area with no non-Sindi population. But when the factory was located there, all the managerial staff and most workers were recruited from Punjab and N.W.F.P. Even the Imam of the mosque was brought from Punjab.

In addition to that Ahmed also mentions about the Mujahir identity in Pakistan. In March 1984 a new force in the form of Mujahir Qaumi Movement emerged on Pakistan’s political stage. This movement took the urban centers of Sind by storm.  In Karachi, of all the immigrants (including 19.3 percent from Bombay and Gujarat), the largest proportion came from the UP and the ‘North-West Zone’ (Dehli, Ajmer, Rajputana and Punjab). When General Yahya Khan refused to honor the results of 1970 elections, the Mujahirs overwhelmingly joined the Punjabis in supporting the action and went into a frenzy of ethnic bigotry against the Bengalis. The author opines that General Zia found broad support among the Mohajirs for his decision to hang Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto.

Zia’s active involvement in the Afghan insurgency facilitated a dramtic rise in Pashtoon power in Karcahi. Drugs, guns and black market for various goods expanded due to the Afghan war.In 1985 Bushra Zaidi, a Mohajir College girl was run over by a driver identified as a Pashtoon in Nazimabad, Karachi. This incident created more conflict. Mohajirs were disenchanted with Zia regime. Islami Jamiat-i-Tulaba IJT leadership in Karachi had passed into the hands of Punjabi students. Muhajirs felt they were being used to serve Punjabi interests.

The author strongly believes that no struggle will have legitimacy if the common masses do not see it as their own struggle.

Note: Read in July 2013, the review for this book was written earlier today. This review is extracted from the notes (written in 2013) of the reviewer.

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Libraries in ICT

Last month I visited libraries near my house and in total I found only three. One of them is in G-11 Markaz. This library is a dingy room with insufficient light. One corner of the roof gives a view of the sky as corrugated roofing sheet is not in place. An employee at the library informed me that the roof was affected by a storm a few years ago. This building needs serious renovation.

Travelling to another library in G-8/1 I saw a library located on the dead end of a street corner. This structure is a shanty metal container. In fact, it looks more like a makeshift shelter. Lastly I visited a library in F-9. This library seemed reasonable. I applied for membership when the staff informed me that it would take a maximum of two days. I got my membership card after three weeks.

I wonder who is responsible for all these ills. Is it inefficiency, lethargic attitude or red tape? When would this stop?

Note: This article was written in October 2018.

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