Hyderabad a Biography by Narendra Luther

My 60th post had to bring me back to Hyderabad, the place where it all began. There are books which allow you to pass time and there are books which transport you into another time. 'Hyderabad a Biography' by Mr. Narendra Luther belongs to the second category. I picked up this book a few years ago amidst intense work schedules and instantly fell in love with it for it's wit and charm. I've read books which either narrated history with gravity or recollected facts with solemnity but Mr. Luther's book was the first I read where history was recounted with generous sprinklings of humor. Plus how can I not love a book about Hyderabad, my hometown and one of the most vibrant cities on the face of earth. A city with a rich history of more than 1000 years and for centuries a melting point of cultures from all over the world. Here was a region which remained a country within a country long after India gained independence, braved it's period of turmoil and instability only to emerge as one of the foremost technology centres of the world. They say every rock in Hyderabad has a story, come ride with me as we immerse ourselves in the stories which span every fabric of the human emotion.

Hyderabad a Biography by Narendra Luther

Now you might ask me "What are the stories which make this book such a must read?" For that I would say there are many stories which capture your heart and soul but here are some as an appetizer:

• The eternal teenage romance of Bhagmati and Quli Qutb Shah. Their love was one which broke all barriers of race, religion and culture and transcended the boundaries of time. It's safe to say that their love was one of the founding pillars of Hyderabad (Hyderabad itself derives it's name from Bhagmati's muslim name Hyder Mahal) as Sultan Quli Qutb Shah ushered in a reign of stability and prosperity under the watchful eye of his beloved queen Bhagmati.

• Woman of power, Hayat Bakshi Begum (after whom Hayat Nagar in Hyderabad is named). She was the beloved daughter of Sultan Quli Qutb Shah and Queen Bhagmati, valiant wife of Sultan Muhammad Qutb Shah and wise queen mother of Sultan Abdullah Qutb Shah. Her grace in peril and courage while facing an attack from Prince Aurangzeb saved the kingdom and ensured the continuance of Qutb Shahi rule.  

• The immortal Ramadasu and his unflinching devotion towards Lord Sree Rama which incurred the ire of Sultan Tana Shah. Ramadasu, a revenue collector under the Sultan allegedly diverted state revenues for the construction of Sree Rama temple at Bhadrachalam and was promptly imprisoned for the offence. The prison term did little to ebb Ramadasu's devotion as he compiled numerous devotional songs imploring Lord Sree Rama to help him. Lord Sree Rama eventually appeared before the bewildered Sultan and ordered him to release his devotee after paying Sultan's dues in full. The miracle transformed Sultan into a believer. He promptly released Ramadasu and initiated an annual custom of sending gifts to the Sree Rama temple in Bhadrachalam on the occasion of Sree Rama Navami (the birthday of Lord Sree Rama). This annual custom continues to this day with the state government sending gifts to the temple on the auspicious eve of Sree Rama Navami. If you are ever visiting the Golconda Fort, the Ramadasu prison cell is a must visit.

Ramadasu prison cell - Golconda Fort (Courtesy: Southreport)

• The warrior of warriors, Abdul Razak Lari who took on the might of the Mughal forces singlehandedly refusing to bow down in the face of certain defeat even as his fellow generals gave up the fight.

• The visionary Mir Qamaruddin Khan (founder of the Asaf Jah dynasty in Hyderabad) and his confrontation with the ruthless invader Nader Shah which put an end to the bloodshed in Delhi.

• The priceless Kohinoor diamond which emerged from the Hyderabad mines only to change countless hands before ending up in the crown of the Queen of England.

• The benevolent tree, which saved hundreds during the great floods of River Musi during the early 19th century.

• The mercurial Mir Yousuf Ali Khan former Salar (prime minister) of the Hyderabad State who emerged from his depression to set up one of the foremost museums in the world, The Salar Jung Museum.

• The legend of the King Kothi palace and how it came to be associated with the Nizam of Hyderabad.

• The heroic rebellion against the Razakar tyranny and the comical war that took place between the Nizam's forces and the Indian Army (during the five day 'Police Action') before the Hyderabad state was permanently annexed to the Indian republic.

The stories are many but the man behind the stories Mr. Narendra Luther is just as interesting. An ex-civil servant, Mr. Luther's astute knowledge of Hyderabad's history and dry wit interspersed with sarcastic humor are second to none. I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Luther in order to obtain his feedback for my friend Raghu's book 'The Great Indian Treasure'. Mr. Luther was not only generous with his time but also extremely gracious with his detailed feedback. He also enlightened us first timers about the nuances of book publishing and alerted us to possible pitfalls. I have nothing but respect for the man and my regard for the book (which already was very high) increased multi-fold after meeting him.

Mr. Narendra Luther and me

So there you go my friends, a book which will probably make you forget the passage of time. Some tales are just eternal.

Rated: Must Read

Until Next Time,

Your Book Lover,
J.J. Chaitanya