ELTWeekly Vol. 5 Issue#16 | May 13, 2013 | ISSN 0975-3036
Translated from French by Ranjit Sinha wriiten by Micheil Larneuil .pp305,1981,Rs175.
Book reviewed by Dr. Krati Sharma.
Begum Samru of Sardhana is written by Micheal Larneuil .This novel is one of the best historical novel to describe the political upheaval of mid 18 century. It is surrounded around the Muslim orphan girl named Farzana who lost her parents and restores by a prostitute. The backdrop of the novel tells the keen observation of political movements of the country. The decline of Mughal Era and the beginning of British Raj in India. The influences of Frenchmen to expand their colonies in India and to throw away British forces. The dreams of Marathas Mughals or Rajputs to unified Hindustan once again are the key points in this fascinating narrative.
It is novel -memoir , as it is wriiten in the Afterword , “ I am concluding my memoirs in 1836. There are the memoirs which I decided to write in 1831, in a fit of anger,provoked by a pretentious petty Frenchman…” . To the reader surprise so many twists and turn happened in the life of Farzana Begum the female protagonist. It is a story of indomitable spirit and courage of her to safe her Jagir of Sardhana from colonial rulers. It is her passion to save Hindustan from foreign invaders by hook or by crook.
This novel gives us minute details of the Jagir System prevailed in 17-18 Century. It also hinted the Army system prevailed during that time. It is amalgam of cross –culture which increased due to the people from different countries and land helping the Indian rulers, English company and French troops to established their forces in Hindustan. These foreign natives left their land in order to earn and relish an adventurous life.
The protagonist Farzana is a Muslim girl of thirteen sold to General Sombre who kept her as a slave than married her and honoured her by calling her his Begum. With this new identity she learnt shooting, hunting, horse riding and learnt Urdu ,Persian and German. All these qualities of Begum marveled Sombre and his party. Sombre gave her shelter and honoured her . He nurtured her inhibited qualities Due to her valour and her love for Sardana , after the death of General Sombre she became the ruler of Sardhana . It was very challenging for her to made male soldiers work under her rule. But with her tactics and authority she won the heart of her army.
With the passage of time she accepted Christanity and named herself Joaana after the great woman warrior Joan. She being a widow also longed for love and affection and finally the love come into her life with the Officer Levassoult. She married to her but this created disharmony in her army. Nobody liked him and even find fault with Begum too. As a consequence they decided to run away from Sardhana but destiny had other plan for Joanna she held captive by her mutineers. She faced the humiliation and torture by them they tied her in front of cannon and cracked bad jokes.
Joana regained her kingdom with the help of her loyal servants. She decided to live her life on her own terms. She devoted this second lease of life to her child Sardana. It was her dream to save Hindustan from the clutches of the English. The twist and turns of history is carefully marked out in the work. They fought bravely but unable to defeat the English. Against her wish she accepted the dominance of English. This also hinted that how English grew powerful in India and captured India.
The political conditions of Indian are very well conveyed through this work. The alliance, the friendship , the role of officers. The conditions of war and wounded soldiers are very moving. The Rectangle plan made by the officer to defeat the enemy also hinted the strategies used during battles.
Joana love of nature is shown by construction of gardens. Her works includes the cremenation of dead bodies of her loved ones near her Fort. All this shows her humanitarian approach. She in her will devoted a building to College and one building to her step son. Finally she adopted the son of the of her step son and declared her heir.
“Jeanne soon become an obsession with me”
“I tried to imagine what the life of a wanderer would be like” No doubt it entalid starving in remote area , or binding temporary employment as a hired or even a fencing coach”
She is a daring woman who reminds us no less the St.Joan. She truly serves her jagir and her people. She constructed Fort Sombre churches and building which later on dedicated to a college. She understands the value of education and did it best to spread it in her Sardhana. She accepted her fate as a ruler and made very effort to make it prosperous.
The language and description of events make this very apt and interesting to read. The explorations of Geographical details of places are flawless. She is a ideal for many Indian women who are facing challenges in life but come out of it. Begum learnt not only reading and writing but she also learnt riding and shooting and proved herself fit in the male dominated role of a leading an army or administration.
In later area she chose her passion of dance and music and turned out to be cheographer and organized shows for English rulers.She trained girls for their performances. “ From the moment I arrived at Komala’s house, I wan plunged first by force and compulsion and then by choice, into the world of music and dance”.
“Frazana was somebody ” These officers married to Indian girls some settled in India and some went back to their homeland. The Cosmopolitan atmosphere in India where English , French ,German , Mughals, Maratha , Jats and other people were in India learning Indian culture and make it their home.
The titles of the chapters are very apt and very interesting which gives us insight into it. Each chapter is dedicated to a segment of begum life focusing its important in her life.
It is one of the milestone not only in life history but also in the tracing the history of India in 18 century.