New Delhi: A historical tale of the Mughal
emperor Shah Jahan`s reign, told through the eyes of two
European travellers, was released here today.
"The Crimson Throne" by noted writer Sudhir Kakar was
released by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor who moderated a
discussion between the author flanked by the ambassadors of
France, Jerome Bonnafont and Italy, Roberto Toscano.
"The interplay of the perspective of two travellers
dealing with the years of the rule of Dara Shikoh and the rise
of Aurangzeb makes for good reading," said Tharoor who was
making his appearance in the national capital after a break.
The book set in the 17the century India is a narrative
by two travellers Niccolao Manucci and Grancois Bernier who
arrive in India and find their way into the innermost circles
of the Emperor.
The narrative is about how the country braces itself for
the brutal succession to the Peacock throne.
"The book is about the rivalry between Aurangazeb and
Dara Shikoh and Aurangazeb....It is about rising Europe and
declining India or in terms of adjectives it can be said as
about the rising Euro and declining India," said author Kakar,
a psycho-analyst and novelist.
The author who wrote about the love of Dara Shikoh for
his subjects asked Tharoor in the discussion following the
release why there were no roads named after him in the capital
even though there was one named after Aurangzeb.
"Yes, there is a road named after him," replied Tharoor.
PTI
