The Last Mughal: William Dalrymple

I would like to rate this book first: 10/10.

What an excellent account on Indian history by William Dalrymple. I think he gave tough competition to Indian historians with his research and thoroughness of day-to-day, month-on-month and year-to-year account of Mughal reign.

The book also gives detailed account of enmity amongst renowned poets in Mughal Durbar like Mir, Mirza and Ghalib.
An interesting statement by a one of the unknown poet about Ghalib:

“Kalaam-i-Mir samjhey aur zubaan-i-Mirja samjhey
Magar inka kaha yeh khud hi samjhein ya khuda samjhey”


--- we  follow poetry of Mir, and the language of Mira, But of him (Ghalib)- only he can follw his verses, or may be God alone can.

I read this book on 22nd November, 2009. One cannot ignore this book, if you are really interested in understanding The Mughal Durbar.

Manish Tully

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