THE DANCE OF A DIAMOND
(By Subbaram Danda)
THE MOUNTAIN OF LIGHT, a historical novel by
Indu Sundaresan, author of THE TAJ TRILOGY,
Harper Collins Publishers India,320 pages,Rs.299
Internationally acclaimed author Indu Sundaresan’s latest novel “The Mountain of Light” is a historical fiction thoughtfully woven round the legendary 186-carat diamond Kohinoor and the turbulent ways in which it changed hands. The author turns the reader into a curious witness to the unabashed manoeuvres and treacherous intrigues high and mighty kings indulged in to possess the dazzling diamond. The urge to own it was so overwhelming that even a dreadful curse supposedly carried by it -- if worn on a crown, the Kohinoor would bring misfortune to the ruler -- was conveniently overlooked.
Kohinoor in Persian means a “Mountain of Light.” It is how Persian King Nadir Shah exclaimed looking at it, when it came into his possession. The diamond had its origin in the mines of Andhra Pradesh, India. The first recorded mention of the diamond can be found in the memoirs of Mughal Emperor Babur, who received it from a Hindu ruler he had defeated. After the Mughals, it slipped out of India and was with Nadir Shah for a while. Later it was held by King of Afghanistan Shah Shuja and subsequently by Maharajah Ranjit Singh of the Punjab Empire. Finally it landed in England to be presented to Queen Victoria. Pruned down to 105 carats, the dazzling diamond currently sits on Queen Mother’s crown and can be seen in the Tower of London.
The novel opens in June 1817 at Lahore’s sprawling and picturesque Shalimar Gardens of Punjab’s Maharajah Ranjit Singh. In a mansion there the Afghan King Shah Shuja and his wife, having lost their throne, have taken refuge. In their secret possession is the Kohinoor. In a vicious move, Ranjit Singh literally makes the two starve and wrests the valuable gem from them. However, eventually he helps them win back their Afghan throne.
On the death of Ranjit Singh, four of his sons are killed in succession wars. Six-year-old prince Dalip Singh becomes the heir to the Punjab Empire and the fabled diamond. Waiting in the wings, the British annex the kingdom and take hold of the precious stone. But under a strange treaty Dalip remains the empire’s Maharajah.
The story of how the Kohinoor is taken out of Punjab to England for presentation to Queen Victoria is fascinatingly told. The veil of secrecy under which two high-ranking officers of the crown carry the diamond on board s.s. Indus from Bombay harbour, its shocking disappearance despite every precaution and its dramatic recovery have all the ingredients of a fast-paced thriller. At the age of sixteen Dalip Singh follows the diamond to London, where he is well-received and pampered.
One has to acknowledge the enormous pains taken by the author to delve deep into the vast historical data, re-create a whole lot of apt situations, generate multiple flash-backs and put vibrant life into scores of characters to suit the complex storyline. It is mind-boggling!
The author frequently employs imagery in preference to simple narration for magical effect. Lingering in the minds of the readers for long, for example, will be the scenes at the Buckingham Palace where Queen Victoria first grants audience to Dalip and the earlier visuals at the encampments on the banks of the Sutlej, where Governor-General Lord Auckland’s sisters are entertained by the Maharani of Punjab.
The book portrays sensitively how the queen endears herself to Dalip Singh and how he reciprocates. During her first meeting, she tells him in all sincerity: “I am elated you are here after hearing so much about you…. You are such a striking boy…. I feel as though I could be your mother.…” These terms of endearment continue for a while.
Human emotions come out vividly alive all through the novel. Taking a look at the Kohinoor at the Buckingham Palace after it has been cut and reset in Amsterdam at the behest of the queen, Dalip exclaims: ”Where is the Mountain of Light? The diamond cutters have taken away too much—this is not a mountain anymore, but a hill, a hillock, a mere bump in the horizon.” He laments again silently: “It isn’t the Kohinoor diamond anymore, and it’s the last time I will hold this stone. It doesn’t belong to me.”
Ultimately realization dawns on Dalip. A touch of pathos is discernible when he wonders, “My father was the Lion of the Punjab. Today, I am a mere mewling kitten.” Years of distrust and dwindling hope overtake him. He meets his end “in a shabby hotel in Paris.”
The book also unwraps the scant regard some English personages had towards Indian rulers and the people. Referring to the Maharani of Punjab, a sister of Lord Auckland says, “She’s a commoner, isn’t she? The daughter of a cleaner or some such.…” Even Lord Dalhousie, the later Governor-General, displays his lack of respect for Dalip. There are several such instances.
Over the ages, clever efforts were made to circumvent the curse of the Kohinoor. It was recut and buffed up many a time. It was also interpreted that it had no effect on women. Some kings did not wear it on their person. During the time of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan it adorned the fabled Peacock Throne. In later years Afghan King Shah Shuja and Maharajah Ranjit Singh had it embedded in an armlet. Queen Victoria too simply followed the practice and wore it on her arm. At present the diamond shines on Queen Mother’s crown!
US-based Indu Sundaresan was born and raised in India. Among her books, the Taj Trilogy (The Twentieth Wife, The Feast of Roses and Shadow Princess) portrays the glories and strifes of Mughal emperors and the bickerings behind the veils of their harems. A television series on the Trilogy is planned. Her works have been translated into 22 languages to date.
The present novel is a treasure trove for lovers of historical fiction. If you have not seen the fabled diamond yet, “The Mountain of Light” will certainly prompt you to look for it in the Tower of London!
1,050 words
October 20, 2013
