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The Golden Calm: An English Lady's Life in Moghul Delhi
The Golden An English Lady's Life in Moghul Delhi
217 pages, Hardcover
First published October 8, 1980
About the author
M.M. Kaye
48 books588 followersM. M. Kaye (Mary Margaret) was born in India and spent her early childhood and much of her early-married life there. Her family ties with the country are strong: her grandfather, father, brother and husband all served the British Raj. After India's independence, her husband, Major-General Goff Hamilton of Queen Victoria's Own Corps of Guides (the famous Indian Army regiment featured in The Far Pavilions), joined the British Army and for the next nineteen years M. M. Kaye followed the drum to Kenya, Zanzibar, Egypt, Cyprus and Germany.
M. M. Kaye won worldwide fame for The Far Pavilions, which became a worldwide best-seller on publication in 1978. This was followed by Shadow of the Moon and Trade Wind. She also wrote and illustrated The Ordinary Princess, a children's book and authored a dozen detective novels, including Death in Kashmir and Death in Zanzibar. Her autobiography has been published in three volumes, collectively entitled Share of Summer: The Sun in the Morning, Golden Afternoon, and Enchanted Evening. In March 2003, M. M. Kaye was awarded the Colonel James Tod International Award by the Maharana Mewar Foundation of Udaipur, Rajasthan, for her "contribution of permanent value reflecting the spirit and values of Mewar".
M. M. Kaye won worldwide fame for The Far Pavilions, which became a worldwide best-seller on publication in 1978. This was followed by Shadow of the Moon and Trade Wind. She also wrote and illustrated The Ordinary Princess, a children's book and authored a dozen detective novels, including Death in Kashmir and Death in Zanzibar. Her autobiography has been published in three volumes, collectively entitled Share of Summer: The Sun in the Morning, Golden Afternoon, and Enchanted Evening. In March 2003, M. M. Kaye was awarded the Colonel James Tod International Award by the Maharana Mewar Foundation of Udaipur, Rajasthan, for her "contribution of permanent value reflecting the spirit and values of Mewar".
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 11, 2013
M.M. Kaye was a child of the Raj and loves India. This book is a collection of memories of both Kaye and her subject, Emily Bayley.
Well written, beautiful inserts of Bayley's illustrations and notes, and a really smooth read.
Excellent for research and just a wonderful read about India. Highly recommended.
September 8, 2020
My edition combines Thomas Metcalf’s lavishly illustrated, handwritten Delhi Book with his daughter Emily’s reminiscences interspersed with those of the editor M. M. Kaye.
As far as Mrs. Bailey’s memoirs are concerned I expected so much more. They’re mainly just a long list of names of the innumerable - often illustrious - people she met in her childhood, youth and early married life in India and Britain and descriptions of her father's splendid mansion and of Old Delhi with references to the Mutiny which she was lucky enough to just miss.
Ms Kaye (who seems to be the author of exceedingly long historical romances set in India during the British Raj) actually provides more material, additional information and/or explanations but there isn’t really anything new or intriguing in her contributions either.
On top of this I wasn’t happy with the Delhi Book part. Some of the hand-writing is small, faded and difficult to read and it would have been very helpful had there been an additional printed transcription. A list - in English - of the illustrations should definitely have been included.
And while I'm in complaining mode : On page 168 Ms Kaye writes that "the palace referred to stands inside the Lal Kila - the Red Fort that was built in Delhi on the orders of Akbar's son, the Emperor Shahjehan." Actually, Shahjehan was Akbar's grandson, his father was Jehangir.
All in all a beautiful edition but disappointing in content.
As far as Mrs. Bailey’s memoirs are concerned I expected so much more. They’re mainly just a long list of names of the innumerable - often illustrious - people she met in her childhood, youth and early married life in India and Britain and descriptions of her father's splendid mansion and of Old Delhi with references to the Mutiny which she was lucky enough to just miss.
Ms Kaye (who seems to be the author of exceedingly long historical romances set in India during the British Raj) actually provides more material, additional information and/or explanations but there isn’t really anything new or intriguing in her contributions either.
On top of this I wasn’t happy with the Delhi Book part. Some of the hand-writing is small, faded and difficult to read and it would have been very helpful had there been an additional printed transcription. A list - in English - of the illustrations should definitely have been included.
And while I'm in complaining mode : On page 168 Ms Kaye writes that "the palace referred to stands inside the Lal Kila - the Red Fort that was built in Delhi on the orders of Akbar's son, the Emperor Shahjehan." Actually, Shahjehan was Akbar's grandson, his father was Jehangir.
All in all a beautiful edition but disappointing in content.
July 22, 2021
The Golden Calm refers to a period of perceived harmony in Moghul Delhi before the Mutiny of 1857 when the British in India were jolted from their questionable Colonial Order.
This beautifully presented, aesthetically pleasing book was published in 1980 and details the reminiscences of Lady Bailey and her father, Sir Thomas Metcalfe whilst they served at the Moghul Court through India's turbulent history in the nineteenth century.
Once you distance yourself from the dubious privileges that the Colonisers took for granted in these so-called 'golden' days the accounts of the exotically colourful days become quite intoxicating. It really is a lost world for better or for worse and the inclusion of a one hundred page facsimile of Metcalfe's famous Delhi Book featuring his hand-written jottings and original paintings from Delhi artists is an amazing bonus. If only one could decipher his flourished script.
This beautifully presented, aesthetically pleasing book was published in 1980 and details the reminiscences of Lady Bailey and her father, Sir Thomas Metcalfe whilst they served at the Moghul Court through India's turbulent history in the nineteenth century.
Once you distance yourself from the dubious privileges that the Colonisers took for granted in these so-called 'golden' days the accounts of the exotically colourful days become quite intoxicating. It really is a lost world for better or for worse and the inclusion of a one hundred page facsimile of Metcalfe's famous Delhi Book featuring his hand-written jottings and original paintings from Delhi artists is an amazing bonus. If only one could decipher his flourished script.
January 27, 2025
Okay this is an odd sort of book with a Victorian ladies diary interspaced with a facsimile book her father commissioned whilst resident to the Mogul court prior to the Mutiny and with a commentary by a well known British Author.
The diary reflects a world where every one is most kind and seems to skim over life. It's a summary diary.
The Delhi Book facsimile would be better at original size and better reproduction but is fascinating glimpse into a vanished world.
I'll be keeping it.
The diary reflects a world where every one is most kind and seems to skim over life. It's a summary diary.
The Delhi Book facsimile would be better at original size and better reproduction but is fascinating glimpse into a vanished world.
I'll be keeping it.
September 28, 2020
Extremely outdated writing by the editor who thinks Britain never did anything wrong during the good old days of Empire.
The actual historical writing is very interesting and it's a shame its constantly interrupted with the other nonsense.
The actual historical writing is very interesting and it's a shame its constantly interrupted with the other nonsense.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews