City Improbable: Writings on Delhi

by Khushwant Singh

City Improbable is an anthology that brings together writings on Delhi by residents, refugees,travellers and invaders who have engaged with the city at various moments in itslong history. Amir Khusrau, Ibn Battura, Samsam-ud-Daula and Niccolao Manuccirecord the glories and follies of prominent kings and emperors, from AnangpalTomar to Shah Jahan. Timur Lane tells the story of his own bloody invasion ofthe city, Khushwant Singh of an untouchable in the time of Aurangzeb, WilliamDalrymple of the first intrepid Englishmen in Delhi, and Ghalib and Hodson ofthe war of 1857. There are also vignettes of everyday life - a Jat household inthe nineteenth century; vendors and housewives in Ballimaran during the SecondWorld War; lovers and joggers in Lodi Garden; happy parties at the discos. Thecontemporary pieces, most of them specially commissioned for the collection,constitute a bitter-sweet ode to modern Delhi. The book is acollection as varied and lively - sometimes serious, sometimes richly humorous -as Delhi itself.

Genres: Nonfiction, India, History, Anthologies

344 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Khushwant Singh, (Punjabi: ਖ਼ੁਸ਼ਵੰਤ ਸਿੰਘ, Hindi: खुशवंत सिंह) born on 2 February 1915 in Hadali, Undivided India, (now a part of Pakistan), was a prominent Indian novelist and journalist. Singh's weekly column, "With Malice towards One and All", carried by several Indian newspapers, was among the most widely-read columns in the country.

An important post-colonial novelist writing in English, Singh is best known for his trenchant secularism, his humor, and an abiding love of poetry. His comparisons of social and behavioral characteristics of Westerners and Indians are laced with acid wit.

Reviews

[Vamil Kumar · Rating 4 out of 5]

From Mahabharata to Partition, the story of a city.

[Debanshu Sinha · Rating 4 out of 5]

The most colorful anthology of a city, I have ever read. perhaps it is possible only in case of Delhi. Contents of this book ranges from Historical accounts like description of Delhi by Ibn-Batuta during Tughlaq era, Timburlane's note on his conquest of delhi, A British Soldier's account on attack on Shahjahanabad during 1857 uprising to various other facets of Modern Delhi culture like street foods, markets, businesses etc. Even the change of culture with the change of area is also sketched.The book is a fascinating read.

[Vaibhav Srivastav · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brilliant collection of writings with both stories/authors dating all the way back to Vyas. There are tragic tales - moving accounts of the terrors of 1984, and the British reprisal to the first war of Independence, and comedy - the British effort to collect donations from old Delhi during WW2, wistful glimpses of Delhi past - Delhi's Dastarkhan and how unfortunately Butter chicken passes for the quintessential Delhi dish while the cuisine is so much more.

It's a must read for those interested in the history of this ancient perpetual city.

[Sachin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every writing better than the previous one...a fine collection that you cannot stop reading...!!

[Nandini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delhi - The age-old consort of emperors, the very coveted capital of our country, the lore , the myth and the magic.
I had meaning to read a book on Delhi for very long. However this one came by as a surprise after a couple of wrong picks - VERY glad I found it. This was such a wholesome read!! Ranging from obvious themes such as history, people, poetry, expansion to curious ones such as ragpickers, Noida, seasons, Red Tapism, even toilets, this was so so good !
I believe, to read about something as diverse as city, we need multi-perspective collections - precisely as fulfilling as this one. I loved loved loved it.

[Itswhilereading · Rating 2 out of 5]

Account of selected writers about a city of past. From fiction by Kushwant Singh, poem by Mir, non fiction about the sidelines of the city, this is a book that travels from central to peripheries of Delhi. If there's one thing I wanted, it was to read about more unknown aspects of the place. I think it's a good book to see what are the gaps, because it's able to show you absences of some themes, which I won't say. Read and search for them!

[Ankush Saikia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Left out a couple of the pieces, especially towards the end. Vijay Nambisan and Ruskin Bond's pieces stood out for me. Overall a helpful exploration of a city where I had spent 14 years of my life.

[Iqra Tasmiae]

https://m.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid...

[Nishant Jha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started this some time back...it is always fun to know & read more about my City :) and when Khushwant Singh's name comes up on any book then it makes it all the more special!

[Raheel · Rating 4 out of 5]

An anthology of above-average selections.

Recommended read, specially for someone who is visiting or has visited the city.

[Siddharth Mohanty · Rating 5 out of 5]

an excellent read.

[Ta]

Beautiful! An exquisite collection of writings! :)