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The Real Maharaja Ranjit Singh: A Family Memoir
Few biographies of the unique Sikh Maharaja Ranjit Singh have achieved the popularity that Fakir Waheeduddin’s The Real Maharaja Ranjit Singh has done. Since its initial publication in 1965, the book has been reprinted a number of times but never with the authenticity that this present volume offers.
In many ways, it can be regarded as a companion to Khushwant Singh’s biography – with one essential difference: Khushwant Singh’s book was the equivalent of an ‘official’ memoir, whereas Fakir Waheeduddin’s is more in the nature of more intimate collage of family recollections woven into a historical narrative.
Fakir Waheeduddin felt qualified to undertake such a venture because members of his Fakir family had never forgotten the debt they, their ancestors and descendants owed to the largesse of their Sikh patron. He could easily have kept the three Muslim courtiers – Azizuddin, Imamuddin and Nuruddin – at a distance. Yet he chose to entrust them with positions that demanded probity, loyalty and integrity. That they were able to serve the Sikh darbar even after the maharaja’s death in 1839 says volumes to their devotion and to the maharaja’s sagacity in choosing them.
The Real Maharaja Ranjit Singh is offered to the public in a revised edition, embellished by vignettes taken from 19th century engravings, contemporary to the years of the Sikh kingdom of Lahore. It is an invaluable source indispensable to the study of Punjab’s history, seen through the eyes of a later but genuine admirer.
In many ways, it can be regarded as a companion to Khushwant Singh’s biography – with one essential difference: Khushwant Singh’s book was the equivalent of an ‘official’ memoir, whereas Fakir Waheeduddin’s is more in the nature of more intimate collage of family recollections woven into a historical narrative.
Fakir Waheeduddin felt qualified to undertake such a venture because members of his Fakir family had never forgotten the debt they, their ancestors and descendants owed to the largesse of their Sikh patron. He could easily have kept the three Muslim courtiers – Azizuddin, Imamuddin and Nuruddin – at a distance. Yet he chose to entrust them with positions that demanded probity, loyalty and integrity. That they were able to serve the Sikh darbar even after the maharaja’s death in 1839 says volumes to their devotion and to the maharaja’s sagacity in choosing them.
The Real Maharaja Ranjit Singh is offered to the public in a revised edition, embellished by vignettes taken from 19th century engravings, contemporary to the years of the Sikh kingdom of Lahore. It is an invaluable source indispensable to the study of Punjab’s history, seen through the eyes of a later but genuine admirer.
296 pages, Paperback
First published September 29, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
April 23, 2024
Thoroughly enjoyed this take on Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Waheeduddin articulately delves into the world of the Sikh Empire with a nuanced approach encapsulating various aspects including Sher-e-Punjab's personal life, beliefs around religion and the rise and fall of the empire (events leading up to it such as the deaths of Kharak Singh and Kanwar Naunihal Singh). The perspective is unique to other Sikh writers I've read before, however reliable all the same as it references parts straight from the Maharaja's wazir, Fakir Azzizuddin's diary. A must read for people interested in learning about the Sikh raj.
July 11, 2023
A great family memoir by the ministers closest to him, shines a light on his kindness which many Hindu and English writers tend to forget about preferring to unjustly cast him as a despot. Would definitely reccomend if you want to get into his story.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews