The Tartan Turban: In Search of Alexander Gardner

by John Keay

Imagine spending thirteen years fighting and travelling in disguise in the deserts of Inner Asia, then another thirteen years as an officer in the Sikh army. Suppose, too, that while 'long separated from the world' you had acquired a reputation for conduct utterly unacceptable in civilised society. Many would reckon you a scoundrel and liar, despite your protests. Lively reminiscences - such as saving the city of Lahore in 1841 by singlehandedly killing 300 invaders - and numerous scars would not impress them.

Gardner's story, like Marco Polo's, changed people's understanding of the world. The urge to contest or authenticate his account contributed to the scientific and political penetration of a vast chunk of Asia. Readers will see the whole region, from the Caspian to Tibet, in a new light and gain a fresh perspective on its last years under native rule.

Keay’s credentials for writing the biography of Gardner are unrivalled.

Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction, India, 19th Century

352 pages, Hardcover

Published February 16, 2017

About the author

John Stanley Melville Keay FRGS is an English journalist and author specialising in writing popular histories about India and the Far East, often with a particular focus on their colonisation and exploration by Europeans.

John Keay is the author of about 20 books, all factual, mostly historical, and largely to do with Asia, exploration or Scotland. His first book stayed in print for thirty years; many others have become classics. His combination of meticulous research, irreverent wit, powerful narrative and lively prose have invariably been complimented by both reviewers and readers.

UK-based and a full-time author since 1973, he also wrote and presented over 100 documentaries for BBC Radios 3 and 4 from 1975-95 and guest-lectured tour groups 1990-2000. He reviews on related subjects, occasionally speaks on them, and travels extensively.

Reviews

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

John Keay has attempted to reconstruct the life of one Alexander Gardner, probably the most interesting and colorful adventurer no one has ever heard of. The task wasn't easy: many of Gardner's notes were lost and much of what remains is jumbled and apocryphal. The few people who have attempted biographies have differed widely in dates and locations. This gave Keay a huge handicap insofar as cobbling together a sensible account of the man's life is concerned. but he has handled the task nicely, I think.

There is some doubt about Gardner's history before appearing in the East. He claimed to be American. There was speculation that he was a naval deserter. What is certain is that he was at varying times in Afghanistan and India, selling his sword to whomever held sway in the throne at the time, changing religion on occasion as a means of self-preservation. He cut a wide swath back in the day when there was still work for a keen blade and a stout shaft. He was a mercenary, of course, but only of high rank. He wore the tartan of a Highland regiment in trews and turban and cut a dashing figure. He supported a small harem of women who were gifted to him or daughters of chieftains he defeated in battle. When times were tight, he wasn't too proud to take up a bit of banditry or assassination to get by. His personal low was having (under orders) sliced the ears and nose off an official, an act he said that he regretted in later years.

I enjoyed the book for its coverage of the turbulent days in India but, due to the paucity of research material, Gardner never really got rounded out for me. An engaging but slow read, blessed with lots of gorgeous photos and prints.

[Graham Bear · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tale of adventure . This man's life story was both amazing and repulsive. He did things that were beyond risky and extremely dangerous . An extraordinary man in an extraordinary period of history. I learnt a lot about Sikh history and intrigue. An enjoyable book .

[GrabAsia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well researched and well written book (as usual for John Keay) on an amazing character of British India. Alexander Gardner led a charmed life, surviving several close to death experiences through his pluck and courage. He travelled through the wilds of Central Asia in the early 19th century, survived over a decade in the court of Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Punjab, emerged alive from the blood letting that followed Ranjit Singh’s death, and served and even longer in the more dangerous service of the Dogra Maharaja’s of Jammu & Kashmir.

Gardner wasn’t a regular explorer and didn’t record his travels on the spot or keep evidence. His origins, age, early life and subsequent travels seem shrouded in mystery. Once he reached the court of Ranjit Singh, his life is more evident and corroborated by other sources. As his travels seemed incredible, some didn’t believe him. A lot of the book necessarily examines the various accounts written of his life, and this tells more about those writing the accounts than about Gardner. For me, as the author of this book says, who would not want to believe him given his incredible story?

A cracking read.

[Karandeep · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a well researched book so the author has done a wonderful job there.
As far as creating a legend goes, I was not awed by Gardner. I only read about him for I would get a glimpse of Sikh History from his point of view, which I did.
The first few chapters can get a little slow while the last two chapters follow the same debunking the truth narrative.
Since, his time with the Sikh Family is recorded well, the narrative in those chapters felt real and I wanted to read further with interest.
Pick this book if you have an interest in Indian History and you want a different material covering the Sikh Empire's downfall, though not in detail but enough to get the jist of it.

[Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started really well I really enjoyed but just got trying to understand what was truth , friction , jealousy, legend . I believe most of it or want to believe I can’t say . Must be of been a nightmare for the author to research . The unfirmilar places make hard following / reading for those not so well versed in Asia .

[Vee Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a forensic analysis of a man who often changed the story of his own origins, a man who 'went native' as the phrase of the time would have it. Whether you consider Alexander Gardner a gallant soldier of fortune, a heroic survivor or a brutal mercenary, John Keay's masterful account sorts truth from contemporary 'spin' while setting Alexander Gardner's story against the backdrop of the shadowy intrigue in 19th century India. Dark times, dark deeds, but an extraordinary man.

[Nousheen Khan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't think I will finish this one, although I started with high hopes. Book is too heavy on details and the accounts sketchy. I do appreciate the efforts of the author to stitch this story together but it did not work for me.

[Tarun · Rating 3 out of 5]

It gets really dull and difficult to follow the 5 different timelines from 3 different perspectives. But It’s finally done! It’s just average imo, I’d rather read actual history where the information is accurate and not contradicted constantly.

[Gary Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable read. Well researched and engrossing history.

[Jitendra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read all his books and they are wonderful history but this was bit of a disappointment. The reason could be the subject itself which was not conducive to produce a great book like in past.

[Lloyd Mullins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great stuff. Fascinating guy.

[Kelly · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wanted to like it. Couldn't finish.

[Robin Braysher · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’ve read ‘Flashman and the Mountain of Light’ then Alexander Gardner is likely to stand out as character, but his role at the Sikh court at Lahore is just one stage in his remarkable life and career(s). This is a fascinating and very readable account of the myths and realities of his remarkable life.

[Amarjeet Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Separating fact from fiction where history is concerned is no small game. But Keay does an exceptional job in delineating between what is history; what might be fiction and what is a possibility in this riveting biography of the evasive Alexander Gardner-an intrepid adventurer who rose to prominence in the service of the 19th century Sikh Empire.

Keay's pose is exceptional and his narrative flowing. Overall, a fine addition to any historian's shelf.

[Adrian]

Keay tries to separate fact from fiction about the travel adventurer Gardner who claimed Irish/ Scottish and American heritage and a life travelling Central Asia from Turkestan to the Hindu Kush from 1820 to the 1850s. Keay is on the side of the believers yet not gullible enough to believe every tale. It's fascinating history but it is slowed down and made more complicated by too much detail on machinations of the Sikh empire (Gardner was hired as a gunnery expert by several Sikh leaders) and the first Anglo-Sikh war in which Gardner was only peripherally involved. The extra detail was needed I suppose for Keay to prove his points to other historians but isn't necessary for the casual reader.