just finished White Mughals by William Dalrymple. it's an interesting story, but not really fascinating, as a book on history. indeed, the book provides little insight into the fairly complex political history of the period. of course, the high point of the book is the expansive descriptions of the social history of the period, as reflected in the social behavior patterns of the English, the French and the aristocratic Indian strata.

some day maybe i'll get a chance to write about the political history of this period. it's interesting stuff.

one of the thoughts that did flow from reading this book was about English-inspired architecture - those stately mansions, with tall imposing pillars bordering expansive verandahs, (column arch decoration???) even in commonplace buildings like post offices and railway stations. there is no doubt that there's character in those buildings. if you've strolled through the area around Writer's Building in Kolkata, or the Fort area in Mumbai, or in many areas of Delhi, you will, no doubt, have felt the sense of resplendent ascendancy - dignified and celebratory - that this kind of architecture inspires in one.

but, just as a thought, compare them with the Taj, or the numerous buildings dotted all over the areas of medieval Muslim kingdoms, or the more modern buildings that emerged from the sybaritic culture of Oudh, or the dramatic temples of Orissa. think of all those human hands and eyes that had shaped the intricate inlay work and trellises, the twisted lines of stone. and how these art forms would have been patronized by the older rulers of India? masons and architects, who for years on end, would have risen with the dream of a shape in their mind, would have worked through the day, with primitive implements to realize those shapes, and how those tired bodies would have been lulled to sleep by some ineluctable madness to create. no, these English buildings don't bind me in their spell anymore.

i had started White Mughals, while i was still about two-thirds of the way through the Rise and Fall of the Third Reich. lovely book, I'm reading it for the second time. (it helps that i forget easily.) i have always been amazed by the manner in which Hitler transformed Germany into the monstrous state that Nazi Germany was. it is perhaps one of the most successful attempts at behavior modification at such a large scale. like i said it's a lovely book, if you're inclined towards history.