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Return to Bhanupur
‘It is the first duty of kingship to be as the people wish to see me.’
This fictional account of events in the court of the princely state of Bhanupur, a hundred years ago, is a tale of intrigue, politics and image-building. What was going through the mind of Maharaja Amar Singh II in the key moments of his reign? How much did he rely on the advice of his clever prime minister Chatterjee, the wily Bengali? How did he solve sensitive issues like undertaking a voyage across the seas to attend the coronation ceremony of the British king, without polluting his caste? And what were his relations with the British—especially with Dr Constable and the architect Colonel Talbot, employed by his court? As the narrative moves towards its tragic conclusion, the characters’ innermost convictions are laid bare
This fictional account of events in the court of the princely state of Bhanupur, a hundred years ago, is a tale of intrigue, politics and image-building. What was going through the mind of Maharaja Amar Singh II in the key moments of his reign? How much did he rely on the advice of his clever prime minister Chatterjee, the wily Bengali? How did he solve sensitive issues like undertaking a voyage across the seas to attend the coronation ceremony of the British king, without polluting his caste? And what were his relations with the British—especially with Dr Constable and the architect Colonel Talbot, employed by his court? As the narrative moves towards its tragic conclusion, the characters’ innermost convictions are laid bare
184 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2012
11 people want to read
About the author
Giles Tillotson
24 books9 followersGiles Tillotson is a writer and lecturer on Indian architecture, art and history. A prolific author, he also works in museum and academic management, in higher education and research, in publishing and in travel.
With family roots in Dorset in the UK, he was educated at Trinity College Cambridge, where he read Philosophy, History of Art and Oriental Studies. On completing his PhD, he was elected a Research Fellow at Peterhouse, Cambridge (1986-90). He then taught for fourteen years at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, where he became Reader in History of Art, and Chair of Art & Archaeology. He is also a Fellow (and former Director) of the Royal Asiatic Society, London.
His areas of special expertise include: the history and architecture of the Rajput courts of Rajasthan, and of the Mughal cities of Delhi and Agra; Indian architecture in the period of British rule and after Independence; and landscape painting in India. He first visited India in 1979 and returned frequently before settling in the country in 2004. He now lives in Gurgaon near Delhi. He is married to the architect and designer Vibhuti Sachdev.
In recent years he has given lectures and informal talks to individual travellers and to visiting groups from institutions including the Guggenheim Museum, the Art Institute of Chicago, Yale alumni, Yale School of Architecture, Princeton University, YPO and CEO.
With family roots in Dorset in the UK, he was educated at Trinity College Cambridge, where he read Philosophy, History of Art and Oriental Studies. On completing his PhD, he was elected a Research Fellow at Peterhouse, Cambridge (1986-90). He then taught for fourteen years at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, where he became Reader in History of Art, and Chair of Art & Archaeology. He is also a Fellow (and former Director) of the Royal Asiatic Society, London.
His areas of special expertise include: the history and architecture of the Rajput courts of Rajasthan, and of the Mughal cities of Delhi and Agra; Indian architecture in the period of British rule and after Independence; and landscape painting in India. He first visited India in 1979 and returned frequently before settling in the country in 2004. He now lives in Gurgaon near Delhi. He is married to the architect and designer Vibhuti Sachdev.
In recent years he has given lectures and informal talks to individual travellers and to visiting groups from institutions including the Guggenheim Museum, the Art Institute of Chicago, Yale alumni, Yale School of Architecture, Princeton University, YPO and CEO.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 16, 2019
This would be my second novel, about life in a princely state, during the Raj.
First one was in Bangla. Rajnagar by Amiyabhusan Majumdar.
Though, the length in comparison is huge among both, Rajnagar being an almost 300 page novel,
and this one, much like a novella, the similarities fascinated me. The Maharaja/Prince,
The Diwan/Prime Minster, the Constable, The Resident of Raj, and his wife/mistress, and the
life of other subjects and common people in a princely state. Both books, devoid of so called villains.
It was, as if both of these books were taken out of the same fold. Brothers, one tiny. Another, quite a bit long.
The prose used is precise in bonding, each character's way of conversing is unique and tracable to their character.
The matters of state, the public overview, as well as that of the royal subjects, the zenanas and Britishers clashing.
The daily schedules of states, architecture and drainage, uplifting the education and economy of state, maintating the royal lineage as well as
safekeeping the traditions held since ages, uplifting the relationship with the Raj Government, and keeping all this going, so that one does not interfere the other.
All this is shown pretty well. The friendships, loyalties and bonding forged between the Maharaja, Chaterjee and Talbot also warms one's heart.
A breezy read, enjoyable for a leisure reading, with elegant british english and a short firmly built story.
Recommended, if you want a story of a bygone era, romantic inside and commonplace outside, with a world where characters echoes from a princely state, on the verge of a future, where India would gain its freedom.
And of a tale of a Maharaja, who inspite of not being born such, fits his role quite impeccably and instills himself by the friends, he made himself.
First one was in Bangla. Rajnagar by Amiyabhusan Majumdar.
Though, the length in comparison is huge among both, Rajnagar being an almost 300 page novel,
and this one, much like a novella, the similarities fascinated me. The Maharaja/Prince,
The Diwan/Prime Minster, the Constable, The Resident of Raj, and his wife/mistress, and the
life of other subjects and common people in a princely state. Both books, devoid of so called villains.
It was, as if both of these books were taken out of the same fold. Brothers, one tiny. Another, quite a bit long.
The prose used is precise in bonding, each character's way of conversing is unique and tracable to their character.
The matters of state, the public overview, as well as that of the royal subjects, the zenanas and Britishers clashing.
The daily schedules of states, architecture and drainage, uplifting the education and economy of state, maintating the royal lineage as well as
safekeeping the traditions held since ages, uplifting the relationship with the Raj Government, and keeping all this going, so that one does not interfere the other.
All this is shown pretty well. The friendships, loyalties and bonding forged between the Maharaja, Chaterjee and Talbot also warms one's heart.
A breezy read, enjoyable for a leisure reading, with elegant british english and a short firmly built story.
Recommended, if you want a story of a bygone era, romantic inside and commonplace outside, with a world where characters echoes from a princely state, on the verge of a future, where India would gain its freedom.
And of a tale of a Maharaja, who inspite of not being born such, fits his role quite impeccably and instills himself by the friends, he made himself.
May 3, 2023
A fictional account of events in the court of the princely state of Bhanupur, set a century ago. The story follows Maharaja Amar Singh II and his clever prime minister Chatterjee, as they navigate complex issues of caste, politics, and relations with the British. The characters are well-developed, and their innermost convictions are laid bare as the narrative moves towards its tragic conclusion.
Bharath's writing style is engaging and vivid, and the descriptions of the courtly life and traditions are richly detailed. The book provides a fascinating insight into the complexities of power dynamics, social customs, and political intrigue in a bygone era.
Bharath's writing style is engaging and vivid, and the descriptions of the courtly life and traditions are richly detailed. The book provides a fascinating insight into the complexities of power dynamics, social customs, and political intrigue in a bygone era.
September 21, 2024
'Momentous change is hard to effect... people are accustomed to the way things run. It's always easier to keep things going on. But the deed catches up with the thought in the end.'
Return to Bhanupur is a fascinating work of fiction that I personally couldn't help but draw parallels with the city of Jaipur and account of Madho Singh II as Maharaja Amar Singh II. A story of unlikely friendships and loyalties; of court intrigues and scandals; of religious belief and lastly above all - of public duty.
Return to Bhanupur is a fascinating work of fiction that I personally couldn't help but draw parallels with the city of Jaipur and account of Madho Singh II as Maharaja Amar Singh II. A story of unlikely friendships and loyalties; of court intrigues and scandals; of religious belief and lastly above all - of public duty.
July 23, 2013
A lovely, evocative and atmospheric book about a bygone era and how matters of state are decided
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews