Feb 11, 2008 03:16 PM
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(Updated Sep 16, 2008 12:07 PM)
Author of this book Diwan Jarmani Dass was Minister of Patiala and Kapurthala. Being at that place he had the opportunity of
seeing the Indian Princes from close quarters, both in their private and public lives. The stories of their lives, intrigues and tussle with the British Paramount Power at one end and India’s freedom movement at the other are recorded in this book. These stories are an insight, an accurate retelling of a lifestyle of the Maharajas of India. These stories are invaluable in that, they record an era, a way of living, thinking and being that will most likely never be lived again.
This book in short is all about the Kings and Princes of the India(especially princes of Northern provinces). The stories presented here are accounts of how they lived their day-to-day lives according to both; first what was accepted of them and second of how they wanted to live.
The 440 pages four section book is mainly segregated into two major parts: Maharaja’s private life and Maharaja in Politics. The other two parts are not much significant as in it lists the various rulers pre-independence and other such related stuffs. The first two parts constitute for 400 pages and those are quite attention-grabbing. At independence nearly 600 princely states joined the Indian Union and it is quite a herculean task to cover all in the book, Maharaja covered only few of them.
Maharaja’s private life:
A normal day:For Maharaja Sir Ranbir Singh Rajendra Bahadur day used to start at 4 in the afternoon and it was customary for him to woken up by his English Maharani Dorothy, by pressing gently his legs whilst singing songs. And rest of the day he spent drinking, playing cards, shooting. He had no time for administrative work but he was favorite of British who bestowed him with highest honors.
The Palace of Gaiety: Maharaja Bhupinder Singh, ruler of Patiala had the best Palace of all. Named “Leela Bhavan”, it had a special room called “Love Chamber” walls of which were adorned by the old and rare paintings in hundreds of sexual poses. But the best he had was the swimming pool which could easily accommodate 150 people. He used to throw pool side parties from dusk till dawn during summer. Pheew! Those dudes have done all that which is considered hep these days. Read this part of story to know what kind of parties it used to be.
New Cult of Sex Worship:This part is the most appalling one as it reveals that ruler of Patiala used to practice Tantric Sex. Author first goes onto give a lengthy description of this rite and ritual and the characteristics of a good disciple before revealing the further information on this. This maharaja had a harem of about 300 women, and he knew it too well that to indulge in sexual activities with all would be impossible so he converted old tantric cult into a new one wherein he could possibly achieve the not viable. Rest all is to be read to believe. Space is too less to talk as this section alone can make up for at least 2 reviews.
The next few chapters go onto cover the activities of this particular Maharaja(Ruler of Patiala) as in his meeting with Mussolini, his interest in cricket, a funny anecdote with a interview with a saint from Benares, and his last moments.
The Palace Intrigue:When Bhupinder Singh died, his son Yadvindra Singh succeeded to the throne of Patiala, though he was six months younger to the actual inheritor of the throne Prince Brijendra Singh. What worked for Yadvindra was that his maternal grandfather was a powerful minister in his father’s cabinet who forged the documents and proved that his grandson is elder to Brijendra. So, corruption in our politics go way back to those days. And when Yadvindra accessed to the throne, he turned out to be no different than his father. The only thing unique with this lad was that he always found weird ways to dismiss ministers.
B!tch who was a Princess:His highness Nawab Sir Mahabet Khan, ruler of Junagadh had an eccentric mind and was quite different from normal humans. He had a b!tch named Roshanara who was brought up from her birth in luxury much as a normal human being. When she reached age of maturity, Nawab wanted her to be mated and sent out invitations across in search of an eligible dog for her. Upon finding the right match in a Golden Retriever named Bobby belonging to the Nawab of Mangalore, he arranged for a big wedding where he lavishly spent huge amount in gold and cash. This part is not just hilariously unprecedented but also condemns the occasion as ridiculously foolish and silly.
Maharaja in Politics:
Out of 400 pages divided between the major two sections, 322 pages featured the Maharaja’s private life and the rest is what discusses the Political structure and is utterly boring. What’s with it describing the federal structure, salutes & honors and other such blah blah yawn yawn stuff. However, the first 400 pages make up for an interesting read. You will definitely be left with an uneasy feeling thinking what the heck were those kinds who led a luxurious life and left a India behind which was nothing but a trash of sh!t.
This goes onto shows that how much interest our Maharajas had in our welfare. No wonder, British took all the wealth while fleeing and reduced us from Sone Ki Chidiya to Lakdi Ka Kauwa. And no, only British are not to be blamed for the poverty that followed. This has to do with our policy makers. And right from them till our first PM Jawahar Lal to his daughter Indira to her son Rajeev till Vajpayee and Manmohan, the flaw is with the policy. None of them ever thought economically. Almost all of these aforementioned people carried this idea of India becoming a Military Power, and concentrated less on the domestic affairs of our rural areas. The gap is increasing and it will continue to do so in near future.
This book in a way is an insight into how it is unto us to bring back the India to where it was. It’s we aam-aadmi who can bring a change making government irrelevant.
