Dileep Thatte

I found the book a delightful read. The book paints an intriguing picture of the unique culture of the former Indian princely state of Hyderabad during the middle of the last century and how it, and its residents, evolved through those tumultuous times. The author has woven in information about the everyday lives of ordinary people as well as that enjoyed by the wealthy ruler of the state - at one time the richest man in the world!. The dialogues flow naturally and give you a sense that you are there listening in the conversation! It’s a love story of an upstanding, ambitious middle class man and a smart young woman who navigated successfully through the political, economic and religious crises of the 1948 Hyderabad as Nizam, Kasim Ali and the Razakars (Muslim mercenaries imported by Nizam to fight on his behalf against the Indian army) were trying to cause break-up of newly formed independent India. I would certainly recommend this to anyone interested in the independence of Hyderabad!