A murder mystery set during India’s First War of Independence, does sound scrumptious. It’s 1857, the British and the East India Company have started controlling greater parts of the country. It’s the last days of the erstwhile Mughal empire with many of the Nawabs surrendering to the British. There’s also a rebellion that’s brewing in various parts of the country that collectively takes the form of the Uprising of 1857. In the midst of this, Delhi is still trying to hold onto its Mughal administration. May of 1857, it’s Ramzan and there are soirées, feasts and mushairas happening in Delhi. At one such mushaira, hosted at Nawab Iftikhar Hasan’s haveli, a poet, Sukhan Khairabadi, is found to be murdered. The poet laureate, Mirza Ghalib, who also masquerades as an amateur sleuth, gets tasked with investigating this murder alongside the policeman Kirorimal Chainsukh. What unfolds next is pure delight in terms of storytelling, as history and mystery get beautifully intertwined in this marvellous fictional narrative.
A myriad of interesting characters make their appearance in this novel. Mirza Ghalib, the protagonist has his wit, charm and Urdu couplets in tow. Master Ramachandra, his accomplice in solving the crime, brings science and sincerity to the proceedings. Whilst a haggered Nawab Iftikhar, is contemptuous of Ghalib; his wife, Roshan Ara Begum has a great deal of affection for him. Various women characters such as Hyderi Begum Zutshi, Syeda Zainab, Ratna Bai make their presence felt in this story just by their steely grit, fearlessness and defiance.
Raza Mir’s story is an ode to the cultured and mellifluous Mughal era. Recently when there has been a movement to wipe out the Mughal presence from our country, Raza reminds us of their regality, their majestic architecture, their delectable cuisine and their venerable mushairas steeped in exquisite Urdu poetry. Every chapter begins with a haunting Sher in Urdu. Raza’s narrative is a rich amalgamation of fiction and accurate historical events. He’s also incorporated an innocuous and heartwarming queer plot line in the story. Such ingenuity!
Do not miss this mushaira! It’s riveting.
~ JUST A GAY BOY. 🧐
the shiny diaries 