ELTWeekly Vol. 5 Issue#16 | May 13, 2013 | ISSN 0975-3036

Translated from French by Ranjit Sinha wriiten by Micheil Larneuil .pp305,1981,Rs175.

Book reviewed by Dr. Krati Sharma.

Begum Samru of Sardhana is written by Micheal  Larneuil .This novel is one of the best  historical novel to describe the political upheaval of mid 18 century. It is surrounded around the Muslim orphan girl named Farzana who lost her parents and restores by a prostitute. The backdrop of the novel tells the keen observation of political movements of the country. The decline of Mughal Era and the beginning of British Raj in India.  The influences of Frenchmen to  expand their colonies in India and to throw away British forces. The dreams of Marathas Mughals or Rajputs to unified Hindustan once again are the key points in this fascinating narrative.

It is novel -memoir , as it is wriiten in the Afterword , “ I am concluding my memoirs in 1836. There are the memoirs which I decided to write in 1831, in a fit of anger,provoked by a pretentious petty Frenchman…” .  To the reader  surprise so many  twists and turn happened in the life of Farzana Begum the female protagonist. It is a story of indomitable spirit and courage of her to safe her Jagir of Sardhana from colonial rulers. It is her passion to save Hindustan from foreign invaders by hook or by crook.  (more…)