Indiaclub.com Description

The fascinating story of the checkered history of India's fabled Maharajas. An immensely readable and interesting book with colorful episodes and humorous anecdotes.

In this book, the authors have attempted to shows Princely India as it appeared to some of those who lived and worked within the confines of the Indian States. What they have set down is drawn entirely from the spoken recollections of eye-witnesses, including a number of ex-rulers, a larger number of Yuvarajs or heirs-apparent, other members of the erstwhile ruling families, former Dewans or Chief Ministers and other state servants.

Referring to the critics who publicized the evils of the princes and suppressed their virtues, one former ruler says: One thousand years of Indian history show that there was not a single instance of a ruling prince being assassinated by his subjects. That in itself goes to show the relations between the ruler and the ruled and the cordiality and understanding between the two.

The excellent text explains and traces the intricate threads of ancient Indian kingship, Hindu Mughal and Sikh, which long strove against each other . . It is a grand panorama of what Kipling accurately called 'Spectacle'. - - Wall Street Journal, USA

Full of well researched material...particularly enjoyed the Christian ayah with a western obsession about castor oil .. - - Sunday Times, London

Stunningly projects the richness of those vanished lives and the splendor of those far pavilions. - - Mail on Sunday, UK

CONTENTS: Foreword to revised Indian Edition / Preface / Introduction: This mirage of the Imagination /Born to the Sound of Guns / Intimations of Royalty / The Martial Song of the Bard / The Making of the Princes / The Blood of Great Men / The Enlightenment of Princes / The Sport of Kings / Royal Progress / Royal alliances / Within the Zanana / Darbar / Servants of the State / Rajas and the Raj / Piety and Sin / Mother and Father of the People / Ruler of the State & Epilogue + Glossary + Key Dates + Photographs & Map + Index