White Mughals: Love and Betrayal in Eighteenth-Century India

I only recently came across this book but recommend it as a most compelling and readable work of history. The combination of romance, wealth and power, the fatal flaws of British and Indian rulers and princes, and two lost children, is just amazing. Dalrymple builds the story on a foundation of wonderfully detailed and erudite research, so that you trust his characterizations and conclusions. The hero of the book, James Achilles Kirkpatrick, was a noble man in all senses of the word, and by becoming one of the mughals transcended the divisions of skin color and culture. As a resident of the British East India Company, he spoke out against the arrogant racism of Governor General Wellesley in the early years of the 19th century that would destroy everything the English needed for their own sakes to keep alive in India. Kirkpatrick's tragedy was dying young on the brink of being able to make a difference in British policy. The tragedy of his young wife continued to her ill-usage at the hands of another Englishman, Resident Henry Russell. The fate of the two Kirkpatrick children is revealed at the end of the book, and the hopefulness of the connection between a granddaughter and far-away grandmother is a lovely ending to the tale. I am going on to read more Dalrymple.

Wealth of information both fascinating and intriguing without being the least bit overwhelmingI loved the style, tone, execution. In the end you can't help feeling a little in love with khair and James and the people who loved them most. I look forward to rereading this, it will be like catching up with old friends that you love dearly

I enjoyed reading this book even though it was very descriptive at places and strayed away from the main characters. I learned a lot about British rulers at that time which we had never learnt in history books. So, thanks for that! overall it is a good documentary.

This is a beautiful book. A fascinating love story, a forgotten angle on the British in India, a human and historical tragedy. It's scholarly but warm, thoroughly researched but very readable, broad but not diffuse.And in one sense it's also very much about the early 21st Century: with respect and good humour, cultures and religions can co-exist and complement each other. So much for the "clash of civilisations" theory.The "moral of the story" right at the end could have been better placed in an author's preface, and I trust a second edition would pick up the small number of editing mistakes.Read it.

William Dalrymple has a novelist's ability to tell history as a story. This tale of British diplomats "gone native" is a wonderful vehicle for telling the story of the deterioration of the relationships with India, moving from a genuine diplomatic "let's see what we can do together for our mutual benefit" to subjugation and oppression pure and simple. It is a beautiful illustration of how India gradually seduces Westerners. As a bit of a "white Indian" myself--I live there three months a year--I really loved this book. Can't wait to get to the others.

This book gives the results of exhausting research on a couple, James Kilpatrick and Kahir un-Nissa in an India that was slowly being taken over by the British East India company at the end of the eighteenth century. This is a fascinating time and an interesting couple; I was hoping to learn more about this era in history, but I was largely disappointed. It reads like a PhD thesis, and not a good one, as it presents masses of original letters with no structure other than chronology, and little analysis of events, or explanations of the time and place. The letters are linked by paragraphs giving short explanations of the context of the letter and transitioning to the next one, but this is essentially a collection of letters. The book is studded with footnotes, that usually plunge on into narratives about obscure individuals peripherally related to the main couple.The letters are excellent, and give insight into the lives of these individuals. This book would be of interest for someone who is already a student of this time, but the uninitiated needs to look elsewhere to understand the British involvement in India.

Fascinating account of early 18th Century when British Colonial Officers managed to thrive in that wonderful crossroad where Europe and India met as equals.Superbly crafted like Persian calligraphy, the story takes us trough the love story between James A. Kirkpatrick, the British Resident stationed in the Hyderabad Court, and Khair un-Nissa, the uniquely beautiful daughter of a noble Persian-Indian family.Dalrymple leads us in a magical tour of Mughal Hyderabad, in the center of India and in a sense in the center of that brief hybrid world of British Indian relations of mutual understanding and respect.The love story is tenderly narrated and we follow it along as it survives court intrigues, diplomatic incidents and power struggles. The outcome of the story is tragic, but tempered with the fact that there ares still symbolic remains of their love standing like the Doll House James built for Khair in the Residency Gardens..In essence, one of those books you just don’t want to be made into film….so the magic never goes.

I am totally fascinated by William Dalrymple's books about the history of the Indian sub-continent during the era of the British Raj. To me he writes history in an exciting manner that reads like a novel and in many ways the history as described by him has relevant lessons for today's world and the interaction of the Muslim culture. Be warned, if you read one of his books you will be hooked and have to read all of them.Roger Grace

White Mughals: Love and Betrayal in Eighteenth-Century India by William Dalrymple is a captivating and meticulously researched narrative that explores the complex cultural interactions between British colonizers and Indian society during the 18th century.Historical ContextDalrymple focuses on the period when British officials and soldiers in India, known as "White Mughals," adopted Indian customs, languages, and even converted to Islam, forging intimate relationships with Indian women. This historical exploration challenges conventional narratives of British colonialism by highlighting the cultural exchange and hybrid identities that emerged in colonial India.Personal StoriesCentral to the book are the personal stories of individuals who defied social and cultural boundaries to form relationships across racial and religious divides. Dalrymple brings to life the romance between James Achilles Kirkpatrick, a British East India Company official, and Khair-un-Nissa, a Hyderabadi noblewoman, illustrating the complexities of love, loyalty, and identity in a colonial context.Cultural Exchange"White Mughals" examines how British attitudes towards Indian culture evolved during this period. Dalrymple explores the fascination with Indian art, music, and literature among British officials, as well as their integration into Indian society. This cultural exchange challenged existing hierarchies and stereotypes, offering a nuanced portrayal of colonial encounters.Societal ImpactThe book also delves into the broader social and political implications of interracial relationships in colonial India. Dalrymple discusses the tensions and conflicts that arose within both British and Indian communities, reflecting on issues of identity, power dynamics, and the legacy of colonialism. His analysis sheds light on the complexities of race, class, and gender in a multicultural society.Literary StyleDalrymple's prose is eloquent and evocative, blending historical scholarship with narrative storytelling. His vivid descriptions and detailed research bring the characters and settings to life, immersing readers in the vibrant cultural milieu of 18th-century India. The book is accessible to both academic audiences and general readers interested in history and cultural studies.White Mughals: Love and Betrayal in Eighteenth-Century India by William Dalrymple is a compelling exploration of cultural exchange, love, and identity in colonial India. Through meticulous research and vivid storytelling, Dalrymple brings to light the complexities of interracial relationships and the evolving attitudes towards cross-cultural encounters during the 18th century. The book is essential reading for anyone interested in the history of colonialism, cultural hybridity, and the interplay of identities in a multicultural world.

Its been wonderful to be able to imagine the scenes from the book and part of a personal journey for me, great read of a largely hidden part of history. Love it

I used the book in my English class for adults. So many things we did not know regarding the occupation of India by the British. Loved the way the author interwinds the main story of the couple with all the facts of both cultures. A must for lovers of history. IRMA DICKINSON

Encore une lecture occasionnée par une excellente émission de BBC4. Ce monde fascinant de l'Inde aux prises avec la lutte entre Français et Britanniques constitue le décor. Mais c'est surtout la saga familiale qui est fascinante.

A beautiful and tragic story of love and betrayal.The leading characters in this story found something in each other across huge cultural barriers in the late 17th and early 18th centuries in India that is rarely found I today’s modern age. If you like India, it’s history, it’s people and it’s geography this is a must read.Another well done for William Dalrymple.