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A Monthly Resource Delivering to the Empire the Best In Indo-Asian Resources
Begum Samru
From Courtesan to Mughal Ruler

A remarkable enigmatic woman, Begum Samru deserves her place in history. Born Zeb-un-nissa around the year 1753 to a Muslim nobleman and court coutesan or perhaps slave girl in Koltana India, she became a military leader, ruler of a large principality in Sardhana, Uttar Pradesh and one of the wealthiest women alive by the time of her death.
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Jodhpur, Rajastan
The Blue City

Jodhpur is the former capital city of the princely state of Marwar and now the second largest city in Rajasthan India. It's known as the Sun City because of its desert location and hosts numerous imposing forts and beautiful palaces and temples that contrast dramatically with the barren landscape. Jodhpur is also called the Blue City because of the blue tinted or blue-washed houses that surround the old Mehrangarh Fort in the old city. The color is thought to reflect heat and mosquitoes.
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Christmas
Christmas in India

The Christmas tradition, which developed in the late middle-ages in Europe, easily spread throughout India with European colonization in the 16th century. Early colonist found an existing network of Christians in India known as St Thomas Christians as they claimed their church was established in the first century A.D. by the apostle Thomas, known to Christians as Doubting Thomas. Continue

Indo-Book Review

"The Empire of Tea"

The Remarkable History of the Plant That
Took Over the World
by Alan & Iris MacFarland

An extremely well written history of tea, "The Empire of Tea" is a must read for those interested in tea, history and all aspects of social studies. Authors Alan and Iris Macfraland take us on an amazing 6,000 year journey peppered with fascinating no-holds-barred first hand accounts of individuals, living and dead, who experienced life in British controlled India.
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Indo-Movie Review

"Namesake"

In my parents' case, therefore, the distinction is that they didn't have to come here for their very existence, their survival. They were here for the sake of greater opportunities, perhaps a better standard of living. And yet it was tough, because they had taken such a huge step and left so much behind. The way my parents explain it to me is that they have spent their immigrant lives feeling as if they are on a river with a foot in two different boats. Each boat wants to pull them in a separate direction, and my parents are always torn between the two.
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Indo-Fashion Focus

"Henna"

The earliest known use of Mehendi, the staining of skin with henna paste, as personal adornment was recorded in ancient Egypt about 5,000 years ago. Those who could afford mummification would have their finger and toe nails stained with henna in hopes of pleasing the gods and help ensure a pleasant trip to the afterlife. The practice didn't reach India until the 12th century with early Mughal forays into the area. Continue
Indo-Recipes
Indian Food Recipe
Cranberry Chutney
Instructions:

1. Bring water and sugar to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
2. Add remaining ingredients; return to a boil.
3. Reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes or until apples are tender.
4. Pour into a glass mixing bowl (acid foods can react with metal bowls).
5. Place a piece of plastic wrap directly on chutney.
6. Cool to room temperature; then refrigerate overnight, covered with plastic wrap, to blend flavors.
7. Serve at room temperature.
8. Use as an accompaniment to meats such as turkey or use as a Sandwich spread with bagels plain or with a layer of cream cheese.

 Ingredients:

1 cup water
1 cup sugar
12 ounces cranberries, fresh or frozen
½ cup vinegar
1 cup raisins
1/2 cup peeled diced apples
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

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Print the page and cut along the dotted line. Should fit most recipe card boxes.
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Begum Samru Continued...

Begum Samru's life got off to a rough start. Born to a court courtesan, she enjoyed advantages over many less fortunate in her time, but had very little security. Upon the death of her father, her half brother began to treat her and her mother very badly forcing them to flee to Delhi in 1760 where her mother died. She was left in the care of Khanum Jan, a Taiwaif or well-healed courtesan, and raised in relative comfort. At the age of about 14 she married or became associated with a 45 year old Luxembourg mercenary, Walter Rinhardt who assumed the nom de guerre, Sombre, a questionable character who was enlisted with and deserted from various European military units in India before forming his own mercenary band.

The four and a half feet tall slender built Zeb-un-nissa acquired the name Begum Sombre or Samru and proved invaluable to Reinhardt due to her knowledge of court life and intrigue. She eventually donned a turban and accompanied her husband into battle. This proved to be a clever move as it allowed her to acquire the skills and knowledge needed to take full control of her husband's army and fortune after his death in 1778. Her military prowess and courage became legend and she was rumored to be able to cut down her enemies by simply tossing her coat in their direction.

Begun Samru was a prize for any like-minded European seeking his ill earned fortune in India. She apparently felt the same way about those aspiring foreigners and was rumored to have had an affair with a Frenchmen named LeVassoult, which caused rebellion amongst her troops. LeVassoult was killed during an escape and the Begum nearly died of a self-inflicted stab wound.

The begum recovered from her near death experience and lived to the age of about 84. She was declared daughter of the Emperor for her service and, amassing an enormous fortune, built a palace and church in Sardhana (she was the only Catholic ruler in India) that stand today. She bequeathed her fortune to her stepson.

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Blue City Continued...

The Rajput Chief, Rao Jodha, founded the city in 1459 shortly after subduing the surrounding territory forming the state of Marwar. The cities location, linking Delhi and the state of Gujarat, enabled it to flourish from the brisk trade between the two. This prosperous situation continued under Mughal domination until its decline in the early 1700's. Nearly a century of decline through inner strife and invasion led to its eventual voluntary inclusion into the British Empire in 1818.

In addition to the Arrangar Fort, many splendid architectural gems avail themselves to tourists. The Umaid Bhawan Palace, built between 1929 amd 1943 is one of the most imposing palaces in al of India. Built by Maharaja Umaid Singh (1876 - 1947), President of the British Royal Institute of Architects, as a residence, it is today divided into royal apartments, a five star Heritage Hotel and Museum.

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Christmas in India Continued...

The Indian census reports over 24 million Christians living and celebrating Christmas in India today. However, as in many nations, the celebration has become a national secular holiday known as Bada Din (Big Day in Hindi) and is enjoyed by people of all faiths.

Throughout India preparations begin a month in advance. Houses get a spring cleaning and are often white washed for the big day. Celebrations are based largely on the American model with Christmas trees, nativity scenes and brightly colored lights and stars hung around houses and businesses. Santa passing out gifts is a common sight and local toy and gift manufacturers kick into high gear.

Local variations can also be noted across India. In the south clay lamps used for Diwali celebrations are placed on rooftops. Banana and mango trees are substituted for traditional pine and spruce trees are usually potted and placed in front of houses decorated with streamers, toys, lights and ornaments. Christianized members of the ancient warrior Bhil tribe in Gujarat sing carols throughout Christmas eve into Christmas day. In the always festive Portugese Goa, Christmas festivities are world renown.

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Empire of Tea Continued...

Alan, professor of Social Anthropology at the University of Cambridge, like few other historical writers, to intertwine cold dead historical facts with the lives of individuals who lived through, participated in or precipitated the events and times he describes so well.

Iris, having lived on an Assam tea estate for 20 years, provides fascinating and sobering details of daily life on a tea estate adding both depth and a unique perspective to the subject. We found her accounts to be the most revealing in the book.

Although the book covers the entire known history of tea, it especially well documents the story of tea in Assam, India owing to Iris' long habitation there. The reader is taken from tea's first discovery in Assam by two Scottish brothers through interviews with Indian operators of the same estates during the 1970's. The narrative describes the initial establishment of tea gardens and the horrors experienced by the Chinese slave laborers imported to work the fields through details of the misery and abuses of early English overseers and later interviews with estate workers who often have fond memories of former British employers and life in the Empire. Life on an estate is detailed for both laborer and master, both good and bad, and reinforced with historical narrative and personal accounts.

The Empire of Tea is a disturbing yet engaging historical human drama, both optimistic and pessimistic. A must read and highly recommended.

GJC

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Namesake Continued...
Jumpha Lahiri
http://www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com/readers_guides/lahiri_namesake.shtml

Namesake, a film adaptation of the best selling book by Jumpha Lahiri, is a wonderful visual and emotional journey by Indian born Canadian director Mira Nair. The film traces the journey of Ashoke (Irfan Khan) and Ashima Ganguli (Tabu) recently arranged in marriage from traditional Calcutta to Cambridge, MA and their struggles to cope with their new life and maintain their Indian identity for themselves and their children.

Visually the film is brilliant capturing the vast differences between Calcutta and Cambridge while portraying each as muted backdrops to the actors. The stark contrast between the two worlds is best articulated through the eyes of Ashima who struggles to cope alone while Ashoke is at work. The hot crowded dirty streets of Calcutta are replaced with her first view of America, muddy snow filled streets devoid of people, ice sickles hanging from leafless trees. Ashima scans the empty street in her socks and slippers shocked by the bitter cold. Later we see her attempt to make a common Indian snack with Rice Crispies and peanuts highlighting her attempt to be Indian in America.

But Namesake is much more than an immigrant story. It's a story of a struggle to merge two cultures for Ashima and Ashoke and a journey of discovery for their son Gogol (Kal Penn). His very name is a synopsis of that struggle to cope with and assimilate into western society for both generations. In the Ganguli's native culture, children are assigned a formal name and an informal nickname. Ashima and Ashoke decide to allow a relative in India the honor of deciding the name of their newborn son, a process that would take an month or more owing to the distance and cultural acceptance of waiting long periods to decide on a name. The Gangulis are forced by the hospital to decide on a name before releasing their son. They decide to use the nickname, Gogol, which we learn later is a 19th century Ukranian author Ashoke greatly admires and whose book "The Overcoat" he credits with saving his life.

The later half of the film deals with Gopol's frustration and rejection of his parent's culture and eventual turn with his father's death to reconcile his life with this part of himself. To Lahiri's credit, unlike many similar immigrant stories, there is no agenda and no triumphant portrayal of Indian culture to the detriment of western culture. Each is treated with respect and occasional painful honesty. Gogol's arranged marriage to another western raised Indian girl actually fails because of her infidelity and his mother surprisingly suggests he go back to his former European-American girlfriend. There is no resolution for Gogol, only more to consider. The story is a snapshot of someone, like Lahiri and many others from numerous cultures, attempting to discover themselves through an appreciation of what their parents endured, enjoyed and provided as immigrants. The final credits end Nair's film. Gogol's story, a representation of anyone displaced, continues.

Henna Continued...

The Mehendi art form has continued to develop from simple geometric designs into a myriad of intricate patterns, especially in India. Henna artists are prized for their abilities and can fetch a fair price during special occasions and holidays. Like all things in life, Mehendi is an acquisition and therefore an opportunity to demonstrate wealth and breeding. The more intricate and fine a mehndi pattern, the costlier the service. Because the practice is also time consuming, the detail can be equated with free time and therefore standing in the community.

The henna process starts with the leaf of a shrub, species Hawsonia inermis, found throughout India, the middle east and North Africa. The young leaves and small twigs of the plant are powdered and mixed with water into a pasty consistency. The paste is then applied to the skin by artisans using a small pastry bag like cone. The paste is left to dry several hours and scraped away leaving a dark red to brownish design stained into the skin.

Because the practice of mehendi is so widespread, no religious or spiritual association can easily be applied. In India, it is very prominent at weddings where the bride and many close family members and bridal party members receive Mehendi. It's said to have a cooling or relaxing effect on the bride. In Gujarat, the bride leaves her parent's home to live with her husband. The henna design on the bride is checked by the bride's mother after about two weeks. A dramatically faded design could indicate the new bride was being worked too hard. A fresh looking pattern indicated she was being treated very well.

Throughout the modern world, as we suspect in the distant past, henna designs are applied to the skin as simple traditional forms of self-adornment that look gorgeous.

Emma G.

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