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jigyasahasija's review against another edition
5.0
I have been wanting to read history, specially India’s history for a long time now. And what better book to start it from than this! It was the perfect book for me since I have been born and raised near Delhi. I went to a college in Delhi. My mom is from Delhi and Delhi is just a part of our lives, always has been. Getting to know the history of the places we had visited in our childhood felt so exciting! And about the people who lived in this place. My family are immigrants too and I have heard stories about partition from them. Reading this book after Twilight in Delhi was an even better experience. I am just glad that the first book of 2023 turned out to be a 5 star!
sanyaa_'s review against another edition
1.0
Just did not like the tone of this book at all. I was very excited to read this but once I started I was so disappointed idk. The way the author talks about modern Delhi (as someone who lives here) was very exhausting. It's a lot of criticism and longing for the Mughal period. (I don't want to add this but it was a very ...let's say western perspective). I had to force myself to finish this bc I didn't want to leave it halfway. But yeah, just disappointed.
goel_1996's review against another edition
4.0
Just loved it.
Delhi is one of the metro city in world with such rich history and culture.
While reading it felt like I was back in my school days when reading about dynasties was so much fun. It is really fascinating to know about our ancestors, their culture, beliefs, ceremonies, architecture, politics and war.
Delhi's history is even more fascinating because it has been ruled by Hindus, Muslims and Britishers.
Living in Delhi people don't realize there are still traces of History, lying in plain sight. William goes through a arduous journey to find them.
It is sad to know Indian archaeologist are not getting necessary financial aid to conduct their research.
Delhi is one of the metro city in world with such rich history and culture.
While reading it felt like I was back in my school days when reading about dynasties was so much fun. It is really fascinating to know about our ancestors, their culture, beliefs, ceremonies, architecture, politics and war.
Delhi's history is even more fascinating because it has been ruled by Hindus, Muslims and Britishers.
Living in Delhi people don't realize there are still traces of History, lying in plain sight. William goes through a arduous journey to find them.
It is sad to know Indian archaeologist are not getting necessary financial aid to conduct their research.
inkandinsights's review against another edition
5.0
In one year of his stay in Delhi, William Dalrymple has chronicled the history of Delhi that is spread across millennia.
The writing style is surprisingly simple and engaging. It is not easy to weave the timeline of a city like Delhi with accurate facts (especially when authentic sources are rarely available), weave it with stories, and then carefully present it in lucid writing.
William Dalrymple has done us a favor by retracing a history that we are proud of but never take care of. The beauty of the book is that it travels back in time. From the religious sentiment-induced collision to the first holy war, this book travels back in time while keeping the present as a constant.
I wish at least one chapter from this book is included in school history lessons.
About the book:
The City of Djinns is a journey through the long-drown and time-layered history of Delhi. As long as our knowledge of history stretches, Delhi has remained the capital city. The Pandavas, the following line of Indian kings, the Mughals, the British, and the Indian government found no replacement for Delhi as a capital.
Despite the numerous invasions, the city has never been deserted - it has been conquered several times but never owned by anyone for too long. Everyone who sat on the throne tried to build a Delhi of their own. The many architectural remnants that are strewn across the city are a testament to the many hands that Delhi passed through. It is sad that these historical artifacts are not cared for and are let to decay with the marching of time.
Despite the many passing of rulers, Delhi and its djinns continued living their living with a toehold in its history and its present.
Delhi is indeed a city of djinns - those souls that can never leave the city even when rulers, religious masses, and changing times press an invisible force to outcast them. These djinns are not just invisible creatures, but people whose history and customs have woven an inseparable connection with the city.
Mr. and Mrs. Puri, the landlords of William during his one year stay, Henry Smith and Bert Brown, Marion and Joe Fowler, Shaykh Nizam-ud-dinn, the fakirs of Old Delhi - they are all djinns in human form that can never leave Delhi because they have been in love with it when the city was at its prime in cultural and imperial glory.
Delhi must have some hidden charm that made even the Britishers who came as traders who later became conquerors fell in love with the city and its culture. They married, had children, wore Indian clothes, smoked Indian hookah, and turned Delhiites in their hearts. The remnants of British rule can still be found in Delhi in the form of dilapidated bungalows that are now largely used as government offices.
Delhi is not a part of India's history. It is the apex of Indian history and government. The City of Djinns is a brilliant piece of work by William Darlymple. Everybody should read it.
The writing style is surprisingly simple and engaging. It is not easy to weave the timeline of a city like Delhi with accurate facts (especially when authentic sources are rarely available), weave it with stories, and then carefully present it in lucid writing.
William Dalrymple has done us a favor by retracing a history that we are proud of but never take care of. The beauty of the book is that it travels back in time. From the religious sentiment-induced collision to the first holy war, this book travels back in time while keeping the present as a constant.
I wish at least one chapter from this book is included in school history lessons.
About the book:
The City of Djinns is a journey through the long-drown and time-layered history of Delhi. As long as our knowledge of history stretches, Delhi has remained the capital city. The Pandavas, the following line of Indian kings, the Mughals, the British, and the Indian government found no replacement for Delhi as a capital.
Despite the numerous invasions, the city has never been deserted - it has been conquered several times but never owned by anyone for too long. Everyone who sat on the throne tried to build a Delhi of their own. The many architectural remnants that are strewn across the city are a testament to the many hands that Delhi passed through. It is sad that these historical artifacts are not cared for and are let to decay with the marching of time.
Despite the many passing of rulers, Delhi and its djinns continued living their living with a toehold in its history and its present.
Delhi is indeed a city of djinns - those souls that can never leave the city even when rulers, religious masses, and changing times press an invisible force to outcast them. These djinns are not just invisible creatures, but people whose history and customs have woven an inseparable connection with the city.
Mr. and Mrs. Puri, the landlords of William during his one year stay, Henry Smith and Bert Brown, Marion and Joe Fowler, Shaykh Nizam-ud-dinn, the fakirs of Old Delhi - they are all djinns in human form that can never leave Delhi because they have been in love with it when the city was at its prime in cultural and imperial glory.
Delhi must have some hidden charm that made even the Britishers who came as traders who later became conquerors fell in love with the city and its culture. They married, had children, wore Indian clothes, smoked Indian hookah, and turned Delhiites in their hearts. The remnants of British rule can still be found in Delhi in the form of dilapidated bungalows that are now largely used as government offices.
Delhi is not a part of India's history. It is the apex of Indian history and government. The City of Djinns is a brilliant piece of work by William Darlymple. Everybody should read it.
saracox's review against another edition
4.0
This is a very different kind of travel writing. Not only is there experience, but there is also a lot of history and so much can be learnt about the colonisation of India by the British and what happened after the British left. There are moments when experiences tug of your heartstrings, make you mad and make you happy. It's written very well, and highly recommended.
devianjanny's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
4.75
boxcar's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
Really well written. I got more history than i expected, but i’m glad for it! a great view into the numerous delhis. A look into the culture at a human level (if from the point of view of an outsider). He has an obvious passion and love for Indian culture and history.
cristiangarcia's review against another edition
5.0
I was fortunate enough to live in India for almost a year and a half, both in Lucknow and Bangalore. During those times I felt deeply in love with the country and its people. I think India is simply fascinating and the more I traveled, I felt more and more amazed by its story. I think this book captures beautifully so many aspects of Delhi - from the Sikhs and muslims inhabitants to the rich mural culture - the book is made out of anecdotes, heavy research and loving characters that accompany the author and his wife, Olivia.
A real love letter to a beautiful, complex, hectic and important city like Delhi
A real love letter to a beautiful, complex, hectic and important city like Delhi