Book Review: Sir Syed Ahmad Khan by Begum Naz

Syed Ahmad Khan's (SAK) grandfather had migrated from Herat. Syed was born in October 1817 to Mir Muttaqi. He was sent to a maktab. From his father he learnt archery and swimming. Khan's mother told him: 'Life is full of vicissitudes you must only form such habits as you can always live with' (p. 9).

Khan went to England where he visited Cambridge and studied the education system in the university.  Syed was an advocate of advanced scientific education. He was very practical and realistic. The author of this book states that Khan 'was not a preacher by vocation but by compulsion of circumstances, hence it would be safer not to treat this aspect of his personality further' (p. 48). Naz furthers stresses that Khan's greatest work was to instill lost confidence in the hearts of the Muslims and to open before them fresh alternative avenues and pathways which alone could relieve them from their state of utter hopelessness and despair (p. 56).

Khan was elected the honorary fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society of London in 1864 (p. 10). The British took formal permission from Mughal Emperor to administer Bengal and Bihar during the time of Shah Alam (p. 11). There is an incident of the murder of a person named Nana by the English officer Saunders. This officer chopped Nana's nose, ears, fingers and toes (p. 14).

The role of missionaries, British plunder during the 1857 revolt, realism of SSAK and his publications are also explained in the book.

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Book Review: Pakistan and the Bomb: Public Opinion and Nuclear Options (Edited by Samina Ahmed and David Cortright)

Pakistan and the Bomb presents one of the most thorough surveys of Pakistani public opinion on nuclear policy. It examines the main factors that brought a nuclear arms race in South Asia. One of the perspectives in the book is that the majority of the Pakistani elite support their country's official stance of keeping the nuclear option open. Fear of an attack from India is the central factor behind the support for the nuclear option.

Pakistan's nuclear program gradually evolved during 1960s (p. 9). The nuclear postures of India and Pakistan have gone from calculated ambiguity to overt weaponization. In 1976 Secretary of State Henry Kissinger was dispatched to Islamabad and later to Paris in a bid to halt the reprocessing deal (p. 34). Pakistan's journey to nuclear weapons capability, the three wars of Pakistan, troubled relationship with USA, China's role, and budget allocation for the military are also discussed in the book. The book presents the reader with different perspectives on nuclear policy choices, public opinion poll, and offers a new vision which can lead to a more nuclear weapons'-free future.

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Book Review: Lahore: A Sentimental Journey by Pran Nevile

First published in 1933, Lahore: A Sentimental Journey is a tribute by Pran Nevile to his city of birth of Lahore. This interesting book covers his early childhood in Lahore, his time at Government College Lahore, festivals, cinema, time with his friends and the glamour in the city of Lahore. The author also writes about other themes including pathshala (teaching houses), fruits, film censor boards, clothing, fashion, fraudsters of Lahore, doctors, Lahoria's love for ghee, food, nepotism in Government College Lahore, annual jalsa of Arya Samaj and Rang Mahal School.

Pran Nevile writes that the Sikh rulers converted Badshahi mosque into a workshop (xviii). Nevile remembers Nehru passing through Anarkali. He says that Lahorias aped the Sahibs (p. 5). He remembers the pathans as moneylenders (p. 11). During the Besakhi festival in Lahore thousands of people took bath in the Ravi river (p. 23). Nevile also writes that the kite flying went from China to Europe, through India (p. 28). Tea was yet to gain a foothold and it was promoted in Lahore in the 1930s (p. 134). An old Punjabi saying is: 'Eat what appeals to you and wear what appeals to the people.'

The author himself grew up in Sutar Mandi in todays old Lahore. Some of the interesting observations of the author are that early marriage was the established custom in Punjab until the 1920s (p. 64). During the 1930s the author noticed that ghagris gave way to Shalwar suits and saris (p. 81). Even during the summer months the author and his friends would wear cotton or silk suits (p. 154). Some doctors would travel to Lahore from Amritsar twice a week to attend patients (p. 120).

Other interesting themes covered in the book include gatka instructor at Government College, swimming, rowing, King's Commissioned Officer, hierarchy within the bureaucracy, temporary government officials, refence culture, salaries of VCOs and KCOs, new rich class of contractors,  emergency wallahs as brown sahibs, a large majority of India army being Punjabi and the opening of the Wagah border in the 1950s for a  cricket match.

I find this account very interesting and reader friendly!

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Book Review: Dongri to Dubai: Six Decades of the Mumbai Mafia by S. Hussain Zaidi

In Dongri to Dubai, Zaidi has made a commendable effort in engaging the reader in very chapter of the book. The book presents numerous stories beautifully weaved by the author. It primarily focuses on the rise of Dawood Ibrahim. Starting from his childhood it shows how Dawood entered the world of crime. Dawood loved cricket. He dropped out of school when he was only ten (p. 51). When Dawood gained power he used the cops to decimate his rivals.

Zaidi also writes about how the under world established connections with Bollywood, drugs, smuggling, Bollywood actors and Ghutka business. He also writes how Dawood shifted his business to different countries and how he maintained his relations. Zaidi also brings out the stories of Haji Mastan, Karim Lala, Rajans, Chota Shakeel, Abu Salem, Shoaib and Bholoo.

Anyone reading the book explores how personal relations, poverty, ideals, friends and hunger for power contribute to the life of a boy who lived in Dongri and who later establishes an illegal empire, managed from Dubai. 

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Book Review: The Luminous Life of Rajiv Gandhi (Edited by Shyam Dua)

Rajiv Gandhi was the grandson of Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India. Rajiv's father was Feroze Gandhi and his mother was Indira. Both of them moved to New Delhi from Lucknow. 

Indira Gandhi was assassinated in 1984. To avoid being jailed for corrupt election practices in June 1975, she had declared a state of emergency and brought democracy to a halt. She launched a crackdown on civil liberties and political opposition. She served as the PM of India from January 19, 1966 to March 24, 1977 and from January 14. 1980 until her death. Indira's emergency ruled lasted nineteen months. Sikh alienation was deep and had dramatic consequences: on October 31, 1984, Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her two Sikh bodyguards, one of whom was fatally shot and the other subsequently (1988) sentences to death by hanging (p. 75).

Rajiv attended Trinity Collège in Cambridge and later shifted to Imperial College in London. Rajiv was not interested in philosophy, politics of history. He was more interested in science and engineering. His greatest passion was flying. His brother Sanjay died in a plane crash in 1980 and because of that he reluctantly joined politics. Collaboration with the United States and several European governments and corporations brought more investment in research in electronics and computer software (p. 21). Rajiv was assassinated in 1991 by Tamil Tiger militants using a bomb hidden in a garland of flowers.

Rajiv was survived by his wife and two children. Rajiv's wife Sonia (born near Turin in Italy) is said to have stated that she would have rather seen her children beg than enter politics (p.64). Today we can see Rajiv and Sonia's son Rahul playing a very important part in the electoral politics of India.

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Book Review: Beyond the Gorges of the Indus: Archaeology before Excavation by Karl Jettmar

Karl Jettmar retired from the University of Heidelberg in 1986. He was an expert in the field of Central Asian Anthropology, archaeology, and art history. This book not only bring out the ancient history of the Northern Areas of Pakistan, but it also an appeal for the conduct of archaeological excavations. Between 1954 and 1989, various expeditions to the Trans-Himalayan zone allowed Jettmar to acquire unique and intimate knowledge regarding the area. During one of the journeys Rhabar Hassan was the guide and interpreter (p. 102).

Karl Jettmar states that the women in Darel were confined to their houses, but in Tangir they participated  working in the fields (p. 52). The author also mentions about the presence of an Assistant Political Agent residing in Tangir/Darel (p. 53). In these valleys a horse and a gun distinguished a wealthy and an underprivileged person. In Darel during weddings some dances were shared by men and women (p. 62). Jettmar writes that a British force had succeeded in conquering Chilas and defended it against the uprising Kohistanis. He stresses that the people of Astore were eager to instigate the British into such an intervention, because this finally stopped the raids by the Chilasis (p. 47).

Gilgit Valley was conquered three times by the rulers of Baltistan (p. 122). Under Dadi Juvari three notables from Darel built long canals in Gilgit (p. 161). The author states that in 1841 when a landslide from the Nanga Parbat had dammed the river and created a lake which extended back over 55 km and when the dam broke the water level at Attock caused a rise of 80 feet (p. 84).

Further in the book there is mention of the discovery of Gilgit Manuscripts. Gilgit Manuscripts represent the Buddhist and pre-Tibetan period of Baltistan up to the middle of the 8th century A.D (P. 186). Other themes under discussion include the illicit digging at Dasht-i-Taus, Ali Ahmad Jan (SSP Gilgit Police) order of transporting part of a boulder in his private house, stupa carvings near Chaprote, Turk tribes, gold washing, Tarkhane dynasty in Gilgit,  remains of a castle in Naupur, Shastri's visit to Gilgit and migrations in Baltistan (p. 183).

Jettmar makes interesting revelations when he writes similar rituals of brining sexual fulfillment and children to those women who had problems in Dardistan. Jettmar admits that he got more concise descriptions from Bubur in Punyal (p. 198). In the olden days in the Haramosh valley, in the pul-festival similar rights and duties were given to the character as given to the Budalak in Kalash. 

Jettmar mentions that Fussman considered the Sakas as the Iranian nomads of Central Asia (p. 97). Jettmar says that the Shin people were the last wave of immigrants (p. 107). The author states that 560 of all the Middle Iranian inscriptions were found at one site alone at Shatial Bridge (p. 111).

In this work the reader gets an interesting perspective into the social conditions of Baltistan, Tangir and Darel. The ancient trading networks, dynasties, rock arts and inscriptions are also discussed in detail. I started reading this book in 2020 and discontinued after reading less than a hundred pages. Today on the 10th of December 2023 I finish reading this book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.

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Book Review: Mother Teresa: Her Life, Her Work, Her Message: A Memoir by Jose Luis Gonzalez-Balado

Mother Teresa's father was of Croatian Origin and her mother was of Venetian origin. Her home country was Albania. Albania gained its independence after five centuries of occupation by the Turks. Mother Teresa was against abortion. She believed that charitable assistance must be provided without the desire for publicity (p. 139). She found her support in Jesus and taught the world what it means to be rich in the love of God.

Mother Teresa had a diplomatic passport. When she went to Norway to receive the Nobel Peace Prize she proposed that in place of the customary banquet, its equivalent cost be destined for poor. Mother Teresa can be easily termed as one of the most famous women in recorded human history. Some called her saint, others called her miracle but she was a person who truly engaged herself in helping the most needy members of human society. 

Many of the important events of her Mother Teresa's life are covered in the book. These include her call to join the Sisters of Our Lady of Loreto, her assignment to teach in Calcutta and her life dedicated to the betterment of the underprivileged. Mother Teresa founded the order called Missionaries of Charity. She received numerous awards including the Nobel Prize.

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Book Review: An Era of Darkness: The British Empire in India by Sashi Tharoor

An Era of Darkness is about the atrocities against women, ship building in India, role of Scots in India, three big darbars in India, Indian Civil Service, racism. exploitation, Indian parliament and justice in India. It also covers the Criminal Tribes legislation of 1911, colonialism, caste, British, Shi-Sunni divide in Lucknow, Nehru and Edwina, transporting Indian convicts from India, studying English literature in India, English language and its legacy, cricket and coloniality,7000 opium shops in India and the Kohinoor Diamond.

Shashi Tharoor presents interesting facts and arguments in this book. I mention some of them in this review. The author says that the Pitt family produced two Prime Minsters (p. 16). In the late 1920s, 7500 Englishmen were receiving 20 million pounds in pension from India annually(p. 24). Tharoor also agues that 'ironically, Lord Lytton's only qualification for the job of viceroy was that, as Robert Bulwer-Lytton, he was Queen Victoria's favorite poet (p. 182). Allan Octavian Hume was a Scotsman who founded the Indian National Congress (p. 81).

The atrocity and brutality of the British has clearly been exposed by Tharoor. 3289 Indian soldiers went missing in World War I, when 700,000 Indian soldiers fought against the Ottoman Empire (p. 87-88). Jamsetji Tata built Taj Mahal Hotel because he was expelled from Watson's Hotel in Bombay (p. 110). During the Orissa Famine of 1866 while a million and a half million people starved to death, the British exported 200 million pounds of rice to Britain (p. 179). Tharoor believes that Sir Syed Ahmed Khan's son was a judge, who died at 53, because he was not treated well by the British (p.72). 

The 'unfree migrants' of India were carried on British ships. which was an estimated 5300, 000 people (p. 193). Sixteen sons of Bahadur Shah Zafar were tried and hanged by the British (p. 196). Shashi Tharoor argues that the British rule in India was despotic because of the famine, forced migration and brutality (p. 204). Timber was exported to Britain for the construction of houses (p. 240). In 1886, only 86 Indians out of 1015 Engineers in PWD (p. 212). The arrival of the first electricity supplies started in India in the 1890s (p. 255). 

Tharoor says that 'Indians themselves did not drink the tea they produced. It was only during the Great Depression of the 1930s- when demand in Britain dropped and British traders had to unload their stocks- that they thought of selling their produce to the Indians the had ignored for a century' (p. 240). 

This book is a must read for the people of India and Pakistan as the author raises many interesting questions. Anyone interested in reading about the colonial rule of the brutal British rule in India, should definitely read this book.

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Book Review: The Life of Tipu Sultan by Kate Brittlebank

Tipu Sultan was born on the 20th of November 1750. From the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh to Powis Castle in Wales to the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, today's tourist can see displays of Tipu memorabilia from the material to the mundane (p. 4).

Tipu's father was Haider Ali, in whose time Mysore was in a strong position (p. 10). Haider Ali began his rise through the ranks of the Mysore army of the Wodeyars. Mysore allied itself with British forces during the succession dispute for the Nawabship of the Carnatic. Later, Mysore switched sides to the French, as a result of broken British promises (p. 15). 

It is probable that Tipu's education included the subjects of the Quran, Islamic jurisprudence, hadiths, languages, philosophy, science and history. Tipu's  courage had been evident from an early age, when as a young boy he began to accompany his father on military campaigns.

Tipu's kingdom included Hindus and Jains. His primary goal was to secure and preserve the territory he had inherited from his father. Tipu devoted a large part of his energy to building on Haider's legacy. Haider and Tipu regarded the French as their ally and French mercenaries were an important component of the Mysore army (p. 32). Mysore already had both natural and manufacturing resources, providing Tipu with a substantial foundation for his economic expansion and commercial developments (p. 33). 

Tipu wrote his dreams. These dreams were thirty-seven in total. Tipu's use of tiger imagery was to convey his awesome power and demonstrate his close connection with the divine. Tipu drew an imagery that resonated with all communities (p. 52).

Kate, the author of this book states that Tipu did not discriminate against any specific religious groups on the basis of their faith. Tipu's own Chief Minister (diwan) was a Hindu. The British victors portrayed Tipu as a religious bigot and tyrant- which he was not, says the author. Writing to potential allies in the mid 1790s, Tipu had made it clear that his aims were twofold: to expel the British from India and to regain the districts he had ceded in 1792. Tipu was not the last Indian to resist the East India Company and its forces; a number of Maratha chiefs continued to fight, for instance, and the Sikhs hung on into the 1840s- so in that sense he was not unique ( p. 73). 

Anyone interested in studying the life of Tipu Sultan should definitely read this book.

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Book Review: A Princely Affair: The Accession and Integration of the Princely States of Pakistan, 1947-1955 by Yaqoob Khan Bangash

Bangash's book covers a very important but often neglected phase of Pakistan's history. The complicated process of integration, the postcolonial transition and the ways in which it affected the nature of the state is also covered.

There are certain details which are new to me, so I mention them in the review. General Muhammad Ayub Khan married his daughter to the son of Wali-e-Swat. Kalat and Bahawalpur states gave money to Chief's (later Aitchison) College of Lahore (p. 23). In 1897, Muhammad Sharif Khan of Dir was granted the title of Nawab by the British (p. 34). Quoting Biddulph, Bangash says that the rulers of Hunza and Nagar were locally called Soori (p. 40). Although today, locally there is no evidence for this claim.

Even before the partition India, Mountbatten was already acting pro-Congress (p. 54). Bangash quotes Jinnah who said 'Neither the British government nor the British Parliament nor any other power or body can compel them to do anything contrary to their free will and accord' (p. 58). Bangash says that Jinnah had personally taken on the responsibility of the princely states but barely had time to respond to the states which were interested in joining Pakistan (p. 61). Jinnah was preoccupied with 'more important matters' (p. 61). The Mehtar of Chitral died in a plane crash in 1954.

Sir Shah Nawaz was Dewan of the Junagadh state. Junagadh had already acceded to Pakistan. Menon wanted the Nawab to give full authority to the Dewan to decide the future of the state, which he did by calling upon the government of India to take over the administration of the state (p. 69).

The politics of the Khairpur state, Bahawalpur state, Kalat state and many other states are discussed in great detail. Sir Richard Crofton was the Prime Minister of Bahawalpur since 1942, Gurmani became the Prime Minister of Bahawalpur in April 1947. For some time the Prime Minister of Kalat was Edward Wakefield. Nawabzada Muhammad Aslam Khan was the Prime Minister of Kalat and a relative of the Nawab of Amb. He was a member of the Pakistan Civil Service.

The government of Pakistan had officially sanctioned that no popular representatives of the princely states were to take part in the all-important constitution-making process in Pakistan (p. 139).In 1950, there was not a single princely state in India where people did not have full democratic rights (p. 190). In Pakistan, because the government had no clear policy on accession, and Jinnah was too preoccupied with other state matters (and after February 1948 too annoyed to deal with Kalat), policy formulation became the responsibility of the bureaucrats (p. 222).

While reading the book I was wondering when would such perspectives be taught in schools and colleges? History is not something fixed. In fact, history writing should give rise to new questions and debates.

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Book Review: Bhopal Connections Vignettes of Royal Rule by Shaharyar Muhammed Khan

 

Khan, the grandson of the last ruling Nawab of Bhopal writes about the dramatic events, characters, scandals, social practices, culture and history of Bhopal. Specific attention has been given to the four successive women rulers of Bhopal. Some of the social customs are shown through the lens of foreigners including Badcock, and Marjorie Memsahib. The first part of the book covers the history of Bhopal and the second part covers the contemporary anecdotes.

The Bhopal state was founded by Dost Muhammad Khan, an Orakzai Pashtun soldier in the Mughal army. As a result of the Anglo-Bhopal treaty Bhopal became a state in 1818. Bhopal was ruled by four begums from 1819 to 1926. Bhopal had a French connection. Before Nadir Shah attacked India in 1739, the French people had moved their estate. At Shergarh, the Bourbons built a housing colony church, school and a small fortress. They mainly married into the Indian Christian community. Still in Bhopal there is presence of the French people.

Bhopal was very loyal to the British. The mutiny of August 1857 had reached the princely state of Bhopal as it was one of the most loyal supporters of the British. The ruler at that time was Sikander Begum. According to the author, once she slapped the British Political Agent Lancelot Wilkinson in public, when he touched her ear-ring. The Rani of Jhansi challenged her (Sikander Begum) because she was a British loyalist. She accepted the challenge threating her by firearms. By December 1857 the Rani of Jhansi was killed in battle. Sikander Begum took control over the state. The British recognized the services of Sikander Begum.

The author of the book states the Sikander Begum went to the famous Jama Masjid in Delhi. This masjid was converted by the British as a stable for their horses. Sikander ordered the closure of the stable and gave a large sum for the renovation of the mosque. In Bhopal the ruling elite sought permission from the British regarding matters of marriage.

In 1911, Sultan Jahan Begum, the fourth Begum of Bhopal embarked on a journey to Europe. She attended the coronation of King George V. She also visited Paris and the embarked in a train towards Istanbul. She was disappointed to see that women were wearing high heels and frocks. The Turk Sultan wanted to confer an award on her, but the British did not approve of this. The Begum was very disappointed.

The second half of the book covers interesting stories about Maimoona, the Prince of Wales’ Tiger Hunt, Badcock, Marjorie Memsahib, The Cricket Match and Maan Saab (the second Begum of Junagadh). The author of the book mentions Badcock as the royal butler who served for twenty-three years. He first served the Begum of Bhopal in 1925. The Begum was there to plead the succession of her surviving son, Hamidullah Khan.

In 1921 the Prince of Wales reached India. He visited Bhopal for hunting tigers. For the hunting guests, it was said that back then the tigers were drugged and hunted. The hunters remained unaware of this. In some cases, circus tigers were also used to please the guests.

The story of Mubarak who leaves for London to sell a necklace is very interesting (p.120). Mubarak meets a lady in London. She accompanies him to India. The stories of Nawab of Junagadh and his wife shows their opulent lifestyle and their treatment of subordinates. Once the Nawab ordered his minions to throw a young Pathan tennis coach to the hungry lions, as he developed a crush on the Nawab’s flirtatious daughter.

Maan Saab, the abandoned wife of the Nawab needed the company of men. She collected a few gigolos from the feudal gentry of Bhopal. When Bano, a maid of Maan Saab urinated in her bathroom, Maan Saab gave her a thorough beating. She was in a hurry so she ordered Allah Rakhi to teach her a lesson. She was so brutally tortured that she passed away. Maan Saab was arrested and served sixteen months in prison.

The author tries to recreate life and times of the rulers of Bhopal. Some of the interesting points in the book include the women rulers, loyalty to the British, French connections, tiger hunts and the meeting between the ruler of Bhopal and the Ottoman Sultan.

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Book Review: Dawood's Mentor by S. Hussain Zaidi

 

The author believes that Khalid Khan Pehelwan played a very important role in making Dawood the mafia mobster of India. He also states that Dawood owed his life and power to this man. Khalid’s ancestors migrated from Batkhela in the present day Malakand Agency of Pakistan.

In the book, Zaidi covers the rise of Dawood Ibrahim in the crime world. He also traces how Dawood befriends Khalid. From school Dawood and his elder brother were notorious. Their father was in the police force. Khalid was Dawood’s inspiration. Dawood wanted to be like Khalid. Khalid had later established contacts with the Galadaris of Dubai. Galadaris were among the elite Arab families of Iranian origin in Dubai.

There is a saying in the Mumbai mafia: ‘Beimani ke saare dhande imaandaari se hote hain (All dishonest businesses are executed with the utmost honesty).’ Dawood drew inspiration for power play and money, clothes and style from other places. The first major crime that Dawood committed was a bank robbery on 4 December 1974. The author states that in February 1981 Dawood’s elder brother Sabir was killed. 28 bullets were pumped into his body. Khalid had great contacts in Dubai and knew the logistics of the business so well that he was involved in the movement of gold from coast to coast. He played a very important role in making Dawood a millionaire.

Between 1982 and 1985, the mafia became bolder and more violent. After Sabir’s murder, Dawood learned the importance of having access to power. Khalid managed to persuade a few big fishermen with trawlers to venture out into the open seas and cross the territorial waters. The territorial waters had a four-tier security patrol of the Indian agencies. Khalid’s men would get their speedboats close to the trawlers. In a few minutes the gold consignment was transferred into the fishing boats, some 30-40 km into the high seas.

Khalid and Dawood did not do business together as Dawood had asked Khalid to manage their businesses separately. Initially, Khalid was reluctant but he understood later. Khalid had a different way of doing business. The author states that Khalid and Dawood are still friends. For Dawood's the idea was simple. Break everyone either through money or threats. Dawood deceives his own business partners to make profit. Zaidi narrates the story on page 128 in the book.

After reading this book, now I am more curious to read Zaidi’s other work titled ‘Dongri to Dubai.’

 

 

 

 

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Book Review: Jail Diary and Other Writings by Bhagat Singh

 

This is a very important collection of Bhagat Singh’s works. Singh was an Indian Communist revolutionary executed by the British colonizers in 1931. His age at that time was 23. He wrote his diary in the last two years of his life. After his execution his jail diary was handed over to his father. The first chapter in this book is on the problem of Punjab’s language and script. His statements, letters, hunger strike demands, pamphlets and petitions are part of this collection.

Singh says that centuries of warfare and Muslim invasions had dried up the literature of Punjab. He says that Muslims totally lack Indianess that is why they want to propagate Arabic script and Persian language. Singh says that Punjabi people themselves refuse their own captivating language.

In one of his statements Singh is of the view that a radical change is necessary to reorganize society on socialist basis. Regarding the LCC Ordinance Singh says that misrepresentation is and has always been the best instrument in the hands of the government to meet their enemies. Further in the book he strongly advocates against imperialism. He believes it to be exploitative. Singh’s letter to his father is also published as a chapter in this book.

Singh’s message to young political workers is to adopt Marxism as ideology. He wants them to work among people, organize workers and peasants and for the Communist party. He praises Lenin’s political acumen. Moreover, in another chapter he accuses British Labor leaders of betraying their struggle. He says that they have been reduced to mere hypocrite imperialists. Singh says that for him compromise never means surrender. This book a must read for those who want to study South Asian history.

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Book Review: The Untouchables: Who Were They and Why They Became Untouchables by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar

 

Ambedkar says that the Hindu civilization produced three social classes. These include the criminal tribes, the aboriginal tribes and the untouchables. The number of these classes is about 85 million. Among these the Untouchables are about 50 million. The author is of the view that Hindu civilization gauged in the light of these social products could hardly be called civilization. Furthermore, he says that the Hindu does not regard the existence of these classes as a matter of apology or shame and feels no responsibility to inquire into its origin and development. The existence of such classes should be more a cause of shame than pride.

The author says that today all the scholarship is confined to Brahmins. They could not rise against the doctrines in which they were brought up. In this book the author advances a thesis on the origin of Untouchability. He himself considers it a novel thesis. It comprises that there is no racial difference between the Hindus and the Untouchables. Untouchability has no racial basis and it also has no occupational basis. The distinction between the Hindus and the Untouchables in its original form, before the advent of untouchability, was the distinction between Tribesmen and Broken Men from alien Tribes. It is the broken men who subsequently came to be treated as Untouchables.

According to the author Untouchability sprung from two things. One was the hatred of the Broken Men as Buddhists by the Brahmins. Second was the continuation of beef-eating by the Broken Men after it had been given up by others. Ambedkar concludes that Untouchability was born some time about 400 A.D. It was born out of the struggle from supremacy between Buddhism and Brahmanism which has completely molded India’s history. The study of which has been sadly neglected by the students of Indian history.

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Book Review: Water by Bapsi Sidhwa

 

In this book Bapsi Sidhwa adapts Deepa Mehta’s controversial film ‘Water’. The setting is based on the backdrop of Gandhi’s rise to power in India of 1938.  The story revolves around the life of an eight-year-old girl named Chuyia. Chuyia is a child-bride who is abandoned away from her village at an Ashram, when her fifty-year-old husband dies. Like all the other widows there at the Ashram, she is expected to spend the rest of her life in penitence. Despite her young age Chuyia becomes a source of change in the lives of other widows.

Madhumati, the eldest widow in the Ashram supplies widows to rich clients through a eunuch named Gulabi. Chuyia’s friend, the young and beautiful Kalyani, is also used for prostitution by Madhumati- the patronizing widow. Kalyani falls in love with Narayan, a young Gandhian of the upper class.

Narayan informs his mother about his choice for marriage. His mother is displeased and shocked. The traditional balance of culture, morals and religion are under threat, according to his mother. For Kalyani, this would mean challenging the balance of power in the Ashram. With that, it would also mean defying openly the religious dictates. Bapsi Sidhwa has beautifully shown details of the characters, societal intricacies, moral fabric, class system and hypocrisy of the upper classes.

The story ends with Kalyani’s death when she is left in a state of despondency. Chuyia’s fate changes when she climbs the train with Shakuntala. Shakuntala is upset as Madhumati has forced the young Chuyia into prostitution. She does not want that to continue.  Narayn promises Shakuntala to take Chuyia’s responsibility, as he had already promised Kalayani.  Narayan is on Gandhi’s train march and leaves his native town with Chuyia. This novel offers a great insight to the lives of widows in colonial India. A very rich and detailed narration by Bapsi Sidhwa keeps her reader attentive throughout the novel. Worth reading!

 

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Truth, Love & a Little Malice by Khushwant Singh

One of the most interesting works of Khushwant Singh is his autobiography Truth, love and a little malice. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Living in pre-partition Punjab which has now become Pakistan Singh recalls his childhood memories. He talks about his village life, his grandmother, family and his surroundings.

Starting from his primary education Singh narrates how he moved to Dehli for his college. Later in Lahore he attended Government College. The interesting story of how he was inducted into the college is presented in detail. The student groupings, biases, antagonisms at Government Collage are also mentioned by the author.

After completing his education in Lahore Singh moved to London to start his Law degree at Kings College. His experiences at London are really worth reading. Starting his journey from India and traveling to England on ship with other Indian students was a new experience for him. The complexities, observing new things, encounter with other students and the time spent in England are well narrated. Singh befriended many people in England. He writes in detail about Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims and the British who lived in London back in those days.In a chapter Singh writes about the loot and plunder that took place in 1947 when the partition took place. He adds that the environment was very tense and hostile. Sikhs, Hindus and Muslims were all involved in the massacre.

Khushwant Singh served an appointment at the Indian High commission London. He writes extensively about the politics within the Indian staff present there. Moreover, in the book the author also covers his travel and work experiences. His affiliation with the UN is also reflected. Singh also moved to Canada where he had other experiences. The author of this now started developing an interest in Sikh religion and history. He got a grant and sponsor went to London to do some serious work in this regard. From writing to publishing he writes about all the difficulty, opponents and criticism he faced. Singh was contacted by many leading universities of the world. He lectured at universities and joined the academia.

After his return to India Khushwant Singh joined journalism. During this phase he also got into the Raja Sabha. The Sikh population was massacred during this time period as Mrs Gandhi used strong measures against them. In this affair thousands of people including women and children were killed. Singh’s close affiliation with Indira Gandhi’s family and later his distance from them are explained in detail. Khushwant Singh writes a separate chapter on Pakistan which is also very interesting. Singh’s thinking towards major religions and his own agnosticism are also explained in great detail. After that the author writes about the art of writing and his interaction with different writers. His own inspiration in the field of writing are also included by him.

Overall this is a very interesting autobiography which not only tells us about the life of Khushwant Singh but explores the intricacies of recent history which Singh saw through his own eyes. Every person living in the Indian sub-continent should read this book.

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Book Review: Being Pakistani- Society, Culture and the Arts by Raza Rumi

Being Pakistani is a compilation of articles by Raza Rumi that addresses topics related to devotion, literature, arts and personal experiences. Rumi writes about Sufis, legends related the Indus region and cult of the feminine in Sindh province. Moving on to literature, the author writes about Qurratilain Hyder, Manto, Intizar Hussain, Fehmida Riaz and Mustafa Zaidi. Rumi tries to bring out a new understanding embedded in the writing of these writers. He creates new meanings in their work, discusses their influence and also gives his personal encounters with a few of them. This also helps in introducing many of the contemporary writers to the readers.

Moreover, in the book, Rumi writes about arts. Within arts he explains the life and work of various maestros of the field. Some of the unsung heroes are also part of his list. Mehdi Hasan, Alamgir, Runa Laila and Asim Butt’s work are explained in great detail. Lastly, under personal essays Raza Rumi unveils his personal experiences of visiting Bangladesh. He traces the injustices with the people of Bangladesh and also talks about the hospitality that he receives in the country. Rumi’s life in Lahore and his love for the city are explained in the last chapter of the book.

Raza Rumi tries to reflect on the tradition and diversity of the South Asian region, and provides an alternate view in many subjects under discussion in the book.

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Book Review: All About Buddhism- The Religion of Peace by Monika Seth

The review for this book would be a short one as the short book is a basic guide about the religion of Buddhism. Monika Seth tells about Gautam Buddha, the principles, noble truths, eight-fold path, objectives, classification of Karma, character of Karma and the teachings of Buddhism.

Buddhism originated about 2500 years ago when Siddhartha Gautma (known as Gautam) at the age of 35 got enlightened. Many people consider Buddhism more than a religion, more as a philosophy or way of life. Born to a wealthy family in Lumbini (now located in Nepal in 563 BC), Gautma realized at the age of 29 that wealth and luxury did not ensure happiness. As a result, he started exploring different teachings, religions and philosophies.  After enlightment Buddha spent the rest of his life teaching the principles of Buddhism till his death at the age of 80.

The author writes that Buddhism depends more on understanding than faith. The Buddhist path requires courage, patience, flexibility an intelligence. Buddhism teaches that the solutions to your problems are within you and not outside. Furthermore, the author says that wants should be modified as wants deprive you of contentment and happiness.

Everything that Buddha taught was based on his own observations of the way things were. The Eight-fold path of Buddhism starts with view, intention, speech, discipline, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, concentration and absorption. In chapter seven, the twelve links of Buddhism are covered.

Karma is different from fate. Fate is the notion that man’s life is preplanned for him, by some external power and that he has no control over his destiny. ‘Karma’, on the other hand, can be changed. Karma is the law of moral causation and is a fundamental doctrine in Buddhism. This belief was common in India, even before the arrival of Buddha.

The last chapter of this book is on the teachings of Buddhism, which gives simple and clear messages to the reader. The author states that a man may emerge victorious in a thousand battles…. “yet he is, as nothing before, the man who has conquered himself. That is the greatest victory of all.” In addition to that the author mentions: “A spoon may spend its life in a bowl of soups, but does it ever get to know the taste of soup?” Last but not least, another one which I find worth quoting is: “Never covet what others have. It is a deadly sin which grows away at all happiness. Learn to share the joys of others. This is the secret of much happiness.”

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Book Review: Hiouen-Thsang in India by J. Barthelemy Saint-Hilaire

Based on three chapters, Hiouen-Thsang in India is a very interesting account of the famous Chinese pilgrim who travelled to India in the seventh century. The first chapter states that Hiouen-Thsang belonged to an honorable family who at the age of twenty completes his novitiate and gets his full monastic orders. Hiouen-Thsang feels that he lacks many things and for this he is determined for travel in the countries of the west. He intends to meet wise men whom he could consult for guidance regarding certain points of the Law. At last he escapes the city and travels during the nights. First he reaches a convent in the country of the Oi’gurs, where me meets Chinese monks.

At Kao-Tch’ang the King wants him as a teacher for his subjects for the rest of his life. To this offer he objects as he wants to travel futher. From there his protest is accepted by the King, as Hiouen-Thsang promises to come back to Kao-Tch’ang on his return journey. Thereon he travels to Kutch. After that he moves to Samarkand and from there to Baktra (Balkh). The pilgrim finally enters India. His sojourn in Maghada and Convent of Nalanda is explained in detail by the author. The way he is treated by different people throughout his journey is also discussed by Saint-Hilaire. The author brings out the character of the pilgrim and also reflects on the superstitions he carried with him. His method of translating sacred Buddhists books are also included in the book.

Hiouen-Thsang visited India before the Muslim conquest, it was still exclusively Brahmanist and Buddhist. In chapter two all the details and intricacies have been narrated by the author of this book. In addition, the pilgrim gives details about the climate, fruits, habits, customs and the religious practices carried out by the people he visited. He even analyses the marriage laws of the Indians, especially the laws forbidding a woman to have a second husband. The pilgrim also includes details on public administration, agriculture and metals in India. For two years he remains in Kashmir, engaged in serious studies.

In the last chapter the condition of Buddhist worship in the days of Hiouen-Thsang is clearly shown. The conflict between the sects and the level of intensity is also discussed by Saint-Hilaire. Moreover, the author also criticizes Hiouen-Thsang for his shortcomings and at places appreciated his efforts. In conclusion, the author agrees to the argument that Buddhist world studied their religion better than the Christian world.

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Book Review: Lest We Forget: Gujarat 2002 Edited by Amrita Kumar and Prashun Bhaumik

Gujrat saw genocide and economic massacre in 2002. This happened when the BJP had gained marked popularity throughout many areas of India. This includes UP, Uttaranchal, Manipur and Punjab. Gujarat a BJP stronghold in the elections was yet to experience the worst. 

On 26 Feb 2002 the election results were announced and on the 27^th of the same month Godhra was set ablaze. Later the rest of Gujarat was engulfed in this fire. The impact of September 11 attacks on the Muslims living in India, the socio-political dimensions leading to the crises situation in Gujarat, questions of state support to extremist elements in India and the debate of secularism vs Hindu fundamentalism, are discussed in this book. 

The atrocities in India, which really shocked the world is uncovered in great detail in this book.

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