Description

White Mughals by William Dalrymple

White Mughals; Winner of the 2003 Wolfson History Prize, Love and betrayal in eighteenth century India. From the early 18th century to the eve of the Indian Mutiny, the 'white Mughals' who wore local dress and adopted Indian ways were a source of embarrassment to successive colonial administrations. This book uncovers a world unexplored by history, and places at its centre a tale of betrayal. James Achilles Kirkpatrick was the British Resident at the court of Hyderabad when he met Khair un-Nissa – "Most Excellent among Women" – the great niece of the Prime Minister of Hyderabad. He fell in love with her and overcame many obstacles to marry her, converting to Islam and according to Indian sources becoming a double-agent working against the East India Company. It is a remarkable story, involving secret assignations, court intrigue, harem politics, religious and family disputes. But such things were not unknown. William Dalrymple unearths such colourful figures as 'Hindoo Stuart', who travelled with his own team of Brahmins to maintain his templeful of idols; and Sir David Auchterlony, who took all 13 of his Indian wives out for evening promenades, each on the back of their own elephant. In "White Mughals", William Dalrymple discovers a world almost entirely unexplored by history, and places at its centre a compelling tale of seduction and betrayal.

Features;

• Third Impression
• Publisher HarperCollins Publishers, London; 2002
• Black Cloth Hardback With Gilt Title, 580 pp
• Illustrated with many full-colour and B&W illustrations
• Size 240 x 160 mm, 17~4
• ISBN 0-00-225676-2
• Weight 1.5 kg

Condition: Very Good – Unclipped Dust Jacket in Protective Sleeve, No Inscriptions, Very Good Copy