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Dastan-E-Ghadar

The Tale Of The Mutiny

Zahir Dehlvi
,
Rana Safvi
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Zahir Dehlvi, an accomplished poet and official in the court of Bahadur Shah Zafar, lived through the cataclysmic Revolt of 1857 that changed the course of history, marking the end of Mughal dominion and the instatement of the British Raj. Dehlvi’s memoir, written on his deathbed, not only chronicles the fading glory of the Mughal court and his entry into a vanishing way of life, but also, most importantly, pivots on the horrifying spectacle of the Revolt and its aftermath—from the violent siege of Shahjahanabad to the bloody reprisals that followed. We learn about the brutal murder of the British Resident and the ensuing deaths of the European men, women and children who were sheltering inside the Qila. We also glimpse the emperor’s pleas to the rebels and his helplessness as they took over the Qila. Moreover, Dehlvi crucially elaborates on the plight of those who managed to escape the slaughter and carnage.

Translated into English for the first time, Dehlvi’s memoir is intensely vivid and moving, filled with incidents and rich in insight. An immensely significant historical record of the Revolt as it unfolded, Dastan-e-Ghadar is also a compelling personal account that conjures the dramatically changing world Dehlvi lived in.

Imprint: India Penguin Classics

Published: May/2024

ISBN: 9780143469001

Length : 350 Pages

MRP : ₹399.00

Dastan-E-Ghadar

The Tale Of The Mutiny

Zahir Dehlvi
,
Rana Safvi

Zahir Dehlvi, an accomplished poet and official in the court of Bahadur Shah Zafar, lived through the cataclysmic Revolt of 1857 that changed the course of history, marking the end of Mughal dominion and the instatement of the British Raj. Dehlvi’s memoir, written on his deathbed, not only chronicles the fading glory of the Mughal court and his entry into a vanishing way of life, but also, most importantly, pivots on the horrifying spectacle of the Revolt and its aftermath—from the violent siege of Shahjahanabad to the bloody reprisals that followed. We learn about the brutal murder of the British Resident and the ensuing deaths of the European men, women and children who were sheltering inside the Qila. We also glimpse the emperor’s pleas to the rebels and his helplessness as they took over the Qila. Moreover, Dehlvi crucially elaborates on the plight of those who managed to escape the slaughter and carnage.

Translated into English for the first time, Dehlvi’s memoir is intensely vivid and moving, filled with incidents and rich in insight. An immensely significant historical record of the Revolt as it unfolded, Dastan-e-Ghadar is also a compelling personal account that conjures the dramatically changing world Dehlvi lived in.

Buying Options
Paperback / Hardback
Ebooks

Zahir Dehlvi

Zahir Dehlvi (Author)
Zahir Dehlvi (1835-1911) was an official in the Mughal court of Bahadur Shah Zafar and also an accomplished poet. He was witness to a crucial moment in history and his memoir remains the most richly detailed surviving account of the course of the 1857 Revolt and its bitter consequences. Forced to flee Delhi in the aftermath of the Revolt, his later life was full of tribulation. He eventually settled in Hyderabad where he died.

Rana Safvi (Translator)
Rana Safvi is a prominent and bestselling writer, scholar and translator deeply committed to India’s rich cultural heritage and diverse civilizational legacy. Her repertoire spans a variety of media, including writings (both original and translations), podcasts and videos. Her remarkable portfolio comprises ten books that delve into topics ranging from culture and history to the monuments of India. Notable titles include Tales from the Quran and Hadith; The Delhi Trilogy; A Saint, A Folk Tale and Other Stories; and In Search of The Divine: Living Histories of Sufism in India. In addition to her literary contributions, Rana has undertaken the task of translating significant works into English. In particular, she has translated Sir Syed Ahmad Khan’s pivotal piece on Delhi, Asar-us Sanadid. Rana’s blog, Ranasafvi.com, serves as a treasure trove of cultural, literary and historical insights.

Rana Safvi

Rana Safvi is a prominent and bestselling writer, scholar and translator deeply committed to India’s rich cultural heritage and diverse civilizational legacy. Her repertoire spans a variety of media, including writings (both original and translations), podcasts and videos. Her remarkable portfolio comprises ten books that delve into topics ranging from culture and history to the monuments of India. Notable titles include Tales from the Quran and Hadith; The Delhi Trilogy; A Saint, A Folk Tale and Other Stories; and In Search of The Divine: Living Histories of Sufism in India. In addition to her literary contributions, Rana has undertaken the task of translating significant works into English. In particular, she has translated Sir Syed Ahmad Khan’s pivotal piece on Delhi, Asar-us Sanadid. Rana’s blog, Ranasafvi.com, serves as a treasure trove of cultural, literary and historical insights.

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