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Delhi: A Novel Paperback – January 1, 2016

by Khushwant Singh (Author)
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 371 ratings
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I return to Delhi as I return to my mistress Bhagmati when I have had my fill of whoring in foreign lands...' Thus begins Khushwant Singh's vast, erotic, irrelevant magnum opus on the city of Delhi. The principal narrator of the saga, which extends over six hundred years, is a bawdy, ageing reprobate who loves Delhi as much as he does the hijda whore Bhagmati-half man, half woman with sexual inventiveness and energy of both the sexes. Travelling through time, space and history to 'discover' his beloved city, the narrator meets a myriad of people-poets and princes, saints and sultans, temptresses and traitors, emperors and eunuchs-who have shaped and endowed Delhi with its very special mystique. And as we accompany the narrator on his epic journey we find the city of emperors transformed and immortalized in our minds forever.
Previous page
  1. Print length
    391 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    India Penguin
  4. Publication date
    January 1, 2016
  5. Dimensions
    5.25 x 1.25 x 7.75 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    9780140126198
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0140126198
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This sprawling, erotic, exotic novel spiked with Rabelaisian humor is set in both modern and ancient Delhi. The narrator is a journalist and sometimes tour guide/lover to rich foreign women who visit his native city, such as Lady Hoity-Toity, the noted archaeologistp. 13 . From his numerous short-lived sexual affairs, about which he boasts to friends, to his ongoing relationship with a hijda (half-man half-woman) prostitute named Baghmati, to fairy-tale-like stories within the story about Delhi's history dating back to the 1300's, a unique vision of Delhi emerges--one that is filled with both affection and revulsion, a city of temples and bazaars, of muddy waters, filth and poverty. Comparing his love for Delhi with his love for Baghmati, he sets out to ``explain the strange paradox of his lifelong, love-hate affair with the city and the woman,'' warning that it may read like ``A Fucking Man's Guide to Delhi: Past and Present.'' As much fun as the novel is, however, especially at the outset, it goes on too long without much plot to drive it. Singh is a veteran Indian journalist and author of Train to Pakistan .

Copyright 1991 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Khushwant Singh is India's best-known writer and columnist. He
has been founder-editor of Yojana and editor of the Illustrated
Weekly of India, the National Herald and the Hindustan Times. He is
the author of classics such as Train to Pakistan, I Shall Not Hear the
Nightingale and Delhi. His latest novel, The Sunset Club, written
when he was 95, was published by Penguin Books in 2010. His
non-fiction includes the classic two-volume A History of the Sikhs, a
number of translations and works on Sikh religion and culture,
Delhi, nature, current affairs and Urdu poetry. His autobiography,
Truth, Love and a Little Malice, was published by Penguin Books in
2002.
Khushwant Singh was a member of Parliament from 1980 to
1986. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1974 but returned
the decoration in 1984 in protest against the storming of the
Golden Temple in Amritsar by the Indian Army. In 2007, he was
awarded the Padma Vibhushan.
Among the other awards he has received are the Punjab Ratan,
the Sulabh International award for the most honest Indian of the
year, and honorary doctorates from several universities. He passed
away in 2014 at the age of 99.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0140126198
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ India Penguin; Open Market Ed edition (January 1, 2016)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 391 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780140126198
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0140126198
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 10.2 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.25 x 1.25 x 7.75 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 371 ratings

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Khushwant Singh

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Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
371 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Abhay Ambati
5.0 out of 5 stars Delhi split wide open
Reviewed in the United States on December 28, 2015
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My review may be more suited for a Delhite than anybody else because that's where my heart lies.

Though the first few pages seem at the borderline of porn and outright vulgarity, as one reads along, understandably because the narration and content are so riveting, it because as clear as day that the stories are like panchatantra. Interesting little stories with a strong underlying theme and message.

I cannot find a better storyteller to take you through a world of kings, mistresses, commoners, bylanes, chaurahas, religion, death, gore, shayari, forts, kandahars, hope, joy, despair, betrayals, love, infatuation, and yes, sex. Many a times, the plots leave a strong trail of afterthoughts in your mind. Not a book you can read and forget. It stays! Enjoy.
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Tarashab
4.0 out of 5 stars Though it is somtimes vulgar but still a wonderful historic novel
Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2015
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Though it is somtimes vulgar but still a wonderful historic novel. This is the kind of fiction I would love to indulge in. The author's love and affection for India for what it is is what I share, though I was born in Rawalpindi and never had a chance to set foot in what is now India.
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The Institute
5.0 out of 5 stars Great tapestry of Delhi history
Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2009
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Khushwant Singh is a terrific writer and Delhi is an absorbing account of history of the city of Delhi told from the perspective of a series of stories, each of which is told by a different character from a different period of history. In between the stories is woven a narrative of modern Delhi. Singh is certainly not afraid to take risks and doesn't pull any punches. He expores historical events that are frequently harsh and also explores the human soul which also delves into the territory of hidden truths that can be disturbing for anyone wanting to remain in the safety zone of propriety. Singh also shows a sharp sense of humour and he often juxtaposes humour against a backdrop of poignant moments. I highly recommend this book for those readers who have a strong stomach for truth about human life.
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gbmillion
5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful discover!
Reviewed in the United States on December 11, 2014
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The author mixes erudition and humour in a very readable form. His characters are interesting. His prose is engaging. The structure of the book is ingenious: first, he introduces himself and his relationship with his hijda paramour, Baghmati. The progress and decline of the relationship is interwoven with a series of first person narratives from Delhi's history. We start with the Delhi of seven or eight centuries ago and arrive in the Delhi of the twentieth century.

Singh's perspectives are provocative and, in many cases, politically incorrect. We read the opinion of the pro-British/ anti-independence and the anti-Ghandi characters.

Singh is also a great disciple of Rabelais. Avoid the book if you are put off by crude humour. But if you enjoy good historical literature from a master of prose, read this masterpiece.
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TwinedAsp
3.0 out of 5 stars Nice
Reviewed in the United States on September 13, 2011
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A nice novel with lost of historical information. Though, I have been to delhi quite a few times, never did I know the history and its existence about Delhi. Kushwant singh is know for spice & humour in his novels. This novel is no different. The novel starts with a good note, though in the middle, it becomes a bit monotonus. All in all, it is a good read.

I recommend it!
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Ravi
4.0 out of 5 stars Must Read:
Reviewed in the United States on September 26, 2015
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Very interesting read about history of Delhi written in a way which almost blurr the line between fact and fiction...
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pustaka
5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding!
Reviewed in the United States on April 14, 2013
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I read this book while visiting Delhi and it brought the history to life and gave wonderful insights into it's ancient and recent past. Kushwant Singh is insightful, profound and incredibly humorous as well. The book captivates and draws one into it's narrative so that it is hard to put it down once you begin reading. It themes include Delhi history, religious tensions, social inequailty and more. I highly recommend this book.
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C K Venkatraman
5.0 out of 5 stars unique hard hitting style .
Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2014
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Recounting History is a challenge since people are familiar with dates and key personalities and events. Kushwant Singh ( may he RIP) has traced the history of Delhi in a manner nobody can.. Told from multiple perspectives in first person, he grips us. He combines profane with the Profound, Sublime with the ridiculous, satire with seriousness... we fall in love with the city and the people. You can feel the smells and sounds of Delhi through time.

A book not to be missed....
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Tikuli
5.0 out of 5 stars A book you'll treasure
Reviewed in India on April 16, 2023
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Impeccable style of Khushwant Singh's writing, gorgeous illustrations by S. Basu and the book is one you would want to read again and again. It's a collectible. One of my favourites of his. No one unfolds the beauty of Delhi's floraand fauna like KS. Go for it.
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popzog
5.0 out of 5 stars Superb book about one of the world's great cities
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 26, 2020
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The late great khushwant Singh teaching the world how to write real English literature. Entertaining ,funny moving ,sad ,poetic you will feel a rollercoaster of emotions
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IPSG101
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in Canada on November 11, 2014
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Good one I like it........
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recluse
3.0 out of 5 stars ただただ懐かしい。
Reviewed in Japan on June 30, 2012
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これはすごい作品です。あまりもの射程の広さと扱われている題材の特殊さは読み手に相当の予備知識を要求します。そして現代と歴史を交互にプレイバックさせる構成上の新奇さも成功しているどうかは別として、興味深い実験でもあります。文中に多用されるさまざまな現地の言葉はヒンズー語に限定されてはいないようで、究極のところ外国人には、本書のトータルな理解を不可能とするようです。
舞台はデリーという都市の歴史です。そして語り手は、デリーの歴史を彩ったさまざまな歴史的な人物たちです。そのさまざまな人物たちが自分の生きた時代をデリーの歴史を貫いたさまざまな対立の綾を通して語っていくのです。デリーのさまざまな重層的な歴史を彩る様々な建築物が描かれていきます。この部分はデリーで少年時代を過ごした私にとっては、ぼやけはじめた過去の思い出をもう一度呼び起してくれました。ロディ・ガーデン（僕の戦争ごっこの遊び場でした）、クトブ・ミナール、ツグラカバード、デリーフォート、プラナキーラ、フマユン廟、サフダルジャン・トーム、大統領官邸などの思い出の場所が、その場所にかかわる様々なエピソードと共に語られていきます。
その歴史を貫くのは日本人には想像もつかない、歴史に根差した宗教上の対立です。最後に選択されたエピソードと絶望的ともいうべき結末は、巷で力説される世界最大の民主主義国というイメージとは別の抜き差しならぬ対立にいまだ規定されるインドの現実を強烈に浮き彫りにします。
歴史上の語りとは別に、もう一つの綾をなす著者とハイジャであるbaghmatiとの関係はかなりの長期間にわたるもののようですが、そこでの現代のデリーでの時間の経過はぼかされています。作品の出版が１９９０年頃ですので、おそらく６０−７０年代のデリーを題材としているようです。
最後に、著者が日本人の代表的な例として取り上げる、日本人のある姓は珍しいものですが、たしかにこの姓の日本人は６０年代半ばにデリーに滞在した日本人の姓です。
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Erosle
4.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating as the city it portrays
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 28, 2018
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This is a long book, which is generally very enjoyable. It's very well written, with wit, humor, sensuality and extensive historical knowledge. I tended to prefer the contemporary accounts of the narrator's adventures and his relationship with the hijra to some of the more detailed historical accounts, especially the protracted descriptions of battles. Some character voices work better than others; but they are all engrossing. The book provides a fascinating glimpse of what makes modern day Dheli such a wonderfully complex, multicultural place.
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