Good

"The Last Mughal: The Fall of a Dynasty: Delhi, 1857" by William Dalrymple is a truly remarkable book that combines gripping storytelling with insightful historical analysis. By peering through the perspective of the Indian Revolt that occurred in 1857, Dalrymple delves into and elucidates upon both the Mughal Empire's collapse as well as its demise being a marker for an era ending.

The exceptional factor of this tome lies in the writer's knack for flawlessly integrating historical research with personal memories, creating a unique and captivating outlook on yesteryear's instances. He brings to life the characters involved in the rebellion, from the last Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar to the British soldiers who ultimately defeated him.

Furthermore, the book is an important reminder of the complex and often brutal nature of colonialism, shedding light on the impact it had on Indian society and the legacy it left behind. The subject of the mentioned period's more somber elements doesn't seem to unsettle Dalrymple, and his written work serves as an enlightening examination that will certainly stimulate deep thinking.

Overall, "The Last Mughal" is a must-read for anyone interested in Indian history, colonialism, or the human experience in times of conflict. It is an illuminating and powerful book that will stay with readers long after they have finished reading it. As an Indian and history
enthusiast, I highly recommend it. ( )

The East India Company was a trading partner with India, until little by little, they became a governing body. This was done by defeating their French counterpart, and they gained political control of Bengal. Little by little, they became a ruling body over most of India, and soldiers were made of Indian Hindus.
Evangelical missionaries started a problem when they became too zealous in their efforts to convert Hindus and Mussulmen to Christianity. Then, a new kind of rifle was distributed among the Indian soldiers--the bullets were packed in grease and they required to be bitten to load. The sepoys belied that they were packed in pig and cow grease and that it had been done to force them to be defiled. They rose up and marched in Delhi, killing many English.
The last King of the moghul empire, himself a Muslim, ruled the city's Muslim and Hindu population peacefully. But when the sepoys rose against the English and the Muslims began to form jihadis, he was forced to take a position against the English. Three months of brutal killing of English followed, until sufficient English troops could March on the city, and the Muslims/Hindus were bloodily defeated. Vengefully wreaking violent death on any and every Indian in sight, the English destroyed the beautiful city of Delhi, making no effort to make records of the fabulous architecture, libraries, and King's palace. The king himself was exiled to Rangoon where he lived out his old age, guarded by a platoon of soldiers.
This, unfortunately, was the beginning of the rift between Hindus and Mussulmen.
Sad, insightful and fascinating extensive work by Dalrymple. ( )

This comprehensive account of the Uprising of 1857 and its devastating effects on the city and the people of Delhi, and on Bahadur Shah Zafar, the Last Mughal Emperor of Hindustan, is a moving, haunting masterpiece of History writing. The author has built a coherent story of the life, and more importantly, the death of what could be called an entire civilisation from the bits and pieces of thousands of documents pertaining to those dark times still surviving in the archives.
Old Delhi will be a different place altogether for me hereafter... ( )

I really enjoy his literary devices and creative vivid narrative.

I'm from Tamil Nadu, India. Parts outside of Tamil Nadu, India are foreign to me but I am curious to understand, learn about them.

I've composed 30 Poetry and I can call myself a Poet. Long ago, I came across a German Orientalist, Annemarie Schimmel. In her book, she concluded that Mughal Empire had great appreciation for art and most Royals were Poets. I would recommend that book if you enjoy Art -- poetry, calligraphy.

Dalrymple finishes with an awe-inspiring poem written by Zafar to his Wife. As a Poet, my imagination and senses delight with such vocabulary. To me that was the best part of the book.

Other parts, I have ventured and explored through other authors. I learnt that Evangelical Christians were influential within English East India company around 1800-1850's. The Company started to support Christian Missionaries. Before this Era, they had strictly not let religion interfere into India.

I am guessing effects of Great Awakening reached England with Clapman Sect seeking rights of Missionaries to enter India.

Through Dalrymple, I could connect how things changed from being mesmerized by Bengal (India) to considering Indians beneath the English. The First Generation Orientalists like William Jones (philologist), their records indicate that they were in love in Hindu Civilization, they got Indianized.

Overall a wonderful book and I appreciate able to connect my other musings of knowledge in Indian History.

I would recommend this to anyone interested in Mughal Empire, Empires, History of India, Wealth, Biography

Deus Vult,
Gottfried ( )