Maharajas : Resonance from the Past

Contents: Foreword. 1. Kings and Kingdoms. 2. The British Raj and princely states. 3. Lives of great men all remind us. 4. Artistic patronage and regal splendour.

"The Maharajas: Resonance from the Past is story cast in stone, mortar and brick; the story of the Maharajas, Nizams, Nawabs, Maharawals, Jams, Rajas and Raos--rulers of the 565 princely States of India. It tells of their origins from Vedic times, their rise to power, the proud defence of their clans, royal tastes which found expressions in the magnificent architecture of their palaces and forts, mind-boggling collections of jewellery and arms and armour, lavish performances of rites and ceremonies. It tells of chivalry and sacrifice, the romance of desert kingdoms, the crushing blow of the Mughals and the British Raj, the phoenix-like rise of new states and their eventual decline.

Steeped in history as it is, the book unfolds the saga of that glorious era through almost 200 brilliant photographs sourced from personal collections of erstwhile royal families and museums the world over. Follow the path of Indian royalty from birth - heralded by the sound of giant kettledrums, to tiger hunts, arranged marriages, enforced purdah for women, processions, feasts, durbars, sacrifices, worship, the death of kings and their funeral pyres, the rituals of anointing new rulers. Feast your eyes on the Jacob Diamond, Koh-i-Nur, emerald and diamond Sarpech of Indore... Imagine the sheer luxury of sitting in a Silver Carriage, Gilded howdah, Vintage Rolls-Royce or custom-made Lanchester...Gaze wide-eyed at the overwhelming opulence of palaces... Look with pride at the gallants standing proud with their gem-encrusted weapons and arms....

Turn the annals of history and capture the magic, sensuality, romance and glory that was Princely India in this sumptuously illustrated volume - an expose of an ancient inheritance that gave India such splendour that remains unrivalled forever." (jacket)