White Mughals

suginami · Oct 19th, 2003, 19:26

I finished Dalrymple's lastest book last week and I was astonished at how he can make history so readable. What a brilliant researcher. I am involved in research myself by how he managed to cover so many sources and with such depth and then make such a clear picture of it all is masterly. It's a must read for anyone who wants to know more about the early Anglo-Indian history before things turned really nasty

cyberhippie · Oct 19th, 2003, 19:46

Thanks that's another book on my list, this list just keeps growing!!
At number one at the moment of books to read is Third Class Ticket anyone read it???

kipling · Oct 19th, 2003, 19:56

Third Class Ticket is a must read.

iwanttogoback · Sep 1st, 2005, 21:11

i know this is an old thread, but why not resuscitate it?

thanks to all who recommended william dalrymple, i have just finished reading 'white mughals' and found it wonderful.

it is the story of an eighteenth century love affair between a high born indian muslim woman and the english resident of hyderabad. unknown to most of us because the recent history is so different, at this time there was a huge crossover between indian and english society in india.

the book reads more like a novel and is almost un-put-down-able. dalrymple's sharp sense of humour abounds in footnotes as he comments on the story he is telling.

absolutely recommended, especially if you would like to read about a little known aspect of indian history.

edwardseco · Sep 1st, 2005, 21:19

I am well into it and was very disinclined to like the book. But, now I find it quite an absorbing and stimulating piece..

iwanttogoback · Sep 1st, 2005, 21:28

Quote:

I am well into it and was very disinclined to like the book. But, now I find it quite an absorbing and stimulating piece..

apart from the fact that it is extremely well written, i was fascinated by the level of crossover by some of the english into mughal culture.

i liked dalrymple's concluding remarks: '...East and West are not irreconcilable, and never have been. Only bigotry, prejudice, racism and fear drive them apart. But they have met and mingled in the past; and they will do so again.' (p. 501).

this is a message that is well worth hearing and spreading today in the light of the hatred and foment that is being spread world wide, particularly between muslim and non-muslim. and i hold both sides responsible.

jjacquemain · Sep 1st, 2005, 23:00

That's funny, I just got the book last week (haven't started it yet) It's good to know that I will enjoy it!

Digital Drifter · Sep 1st, 2005, 23:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by cyberhippie

Thanks that's another book on my list, this list just keeps growing!!
At number one at the moment of books to read is Third Class Ticket anyone read it???

One of those books, that starts off on a rather plain note and ends up altering the way you regard people, rich or poor. I've still not made up my mind which part is fiction and which is fact.

Highly recommended especially if you're the cynical type.

PeakXV · Jan 19th, 2006, 02:24

Big fan of Dalrymple's especially "City of Djinns" & "The Age of Kali" which were basically in short story format. I thought his talent was challenged in writing a much longer story such as this.

It may be just my literary "peabrain" but I found it hard to keep straight in my mind all the characters, time/place locations, & alliances and thus quickly lost any momentum I could generate in my reading. However I do find the book, as a whole, an invaluable reference full of interesting tidbits and facts that beg for further exploration on a future trip to India. It's got a place in my reference library for sure!

crvlvr · Jan 19th, 2006, 04:30

I just returned from a visit to Hyderabad, must read White Mughals again.

edwardseco · Jan 19th, 2006, 05:31

It amazed me how much I enjoyed it..

iwanttogoback · Jan 19th, 2006, 08:55

Quote:

I just returned from a visit to Hyderabad, must read White Mughals again.

i decided after reading that i must visit hyderabad. and then i read 'city of djinns' and decided i must visit delhi. wonder what he's working on now...

crvlvr · Jan 20th, 2006, 02:28

I actually saw a tourist in a Hyderabad cafe reading White Mughals

edwardseco · Jan 20th, 2006, 05:57

Makes me want to see the former residency building. I'll work toward getting a letter of recommendation..

PeakXV · Jan 20th, 2006, 06:15

I gotta tell ya the photo opposite page 270 (possibly a not to distant relative of CyberHippie?) makes me laugh out loud everytime I look at it. They were interesting times for sure!

Oct 19th, 2003, 19:26	#1
suginami Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Japan Posts: 42	White Mughals I finished Dalrymple's lastest book last week and I was astonished at how he can make history so readable. What a brilliant researcher. I am involved in research myself by how he managed to cover so many sources and with such depth and then make such a clear picture of it all is masterly. It's a must read for anyone who wants to know more about the early Anglo-Indian history before things turned really nasty

Sep 1st, 2005, 23:00	#7
jjacquemain Nothing is illegal until you get caught~ Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Cleveland, Ohio USA Posts: 533	That's funny, I just got the book last week (haven't started it yet) It's good to know that I will enjoy it! __________________ There is no defense against chaos~

Jan 19th, 2006, 02:24	#9
PeakXV Naan.tering Nabob Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Abode of Glooscap Posts: 5,881	Missed a little ... Big fan of Dalrymple's especially "City of Djinns" & "The Age of Kali" which were basically in short story format. I thought his talent was challenged in writing a much longer story such as this. It may be just my literary "peabrain" but I found it hard to keep straight in my mind all the characters, time/place locations, & alliances and thus quickly lost any momentum I could generate in my reading. However I do find the book, as a whole, an invaluable reference full of interesting tidbits and facts that beg for further exploration on a future trip to India. It's got a place in my reference library for sure! __________________ What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny matters compared to what lives within us. ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes Don't go to India ~ Pre-trip Warnings & Misconceptions?

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Oct 19th, 2003, 19:46	#2
cyberhippie Account Closed by User's Request Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,009	Thanks that's another book on my list, this list just keeps growing!! At number one at the moment of books to read is Third Class Ticket anyone read it???

Oct 19th, 2003, 19:56	#3
kipling Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Sunshine Coast Queensland Australia Posts: 78	Third Class Ticket is a must read.

Sep 1st, 2005, 21:11	#4
iwanttogoback bling it on Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: perth Posts: 1,711	i know this is an old thread, but why not resuscitate it? thanks to all who recommended william dalrymple, i have just finished reading 'white mughals' and found it wonderful. it is the story of an eighteenth century love affair between a high born indian muslim woman and the english resident of hyderabad. unknown to most of us because the recent history is so different, at this time there was a huge crossover between indian and english society in india. the book reads more like a novel and is almost un-put-down-able. dalrymple's sharp sense of humour abounds in footnotes as he comments on the story he is telling. absolutely recommended, especially if you would like to read about a little known aspect of indian history.

Sep 1st, 2005, 21:19	#5
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 5,845	I am well into it and was very disinclined to like the book. But, now I find it quite an absorbing and stimulating piece..

Jan 19th, 2006, 04:30	#10
crvlvr Guru Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Hollywood Posts: 4,668	I just returned from a visit to Hyderabad, must read White Mughals again.

Jan 19th, 2006, 05:31	#11
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 5,845	It amazed me how much I enjoyed it..

Jan 20th, 2006, 02:28	#13
crvlvr Guru Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Hollywood Posts: 4,668	I actually saw a tourist in a Hyderabad cafe reading White Mughals

Jan 20th, 2006, 05:57	#14
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 5,845	Makes me want to see the former residency building. I'll work toward getting a letter of recommendation..

Jan 20th, 2006, 06:15	#15
PeakXV Naan.tering Nabob Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Abode of Glooscap Posts: 5,881	I gotta tell ya the photo opposite page 270 (possibly a not to distant relative of CyberHippie?) makes me laugh out loud everytime I look at it. They were interesting times for sure!