This is an
important collection of stories by Pratap Singh Mehta for any reader interested
in the full range of historical viewpoints in Rajasthan’s cultural heritage.
Often portrayed as a land of uncritical religiosity, camels and sand, Commander
Mehta brings out Rajasthan's long tradition of scepticism, doubt and
critical reasoning including a considerable religious tolerance. Each story is
logically brok
This is an
important collection of stories by Pratap Singh Mehta for any reader interested
in the full range of historical viewpoints in Rajasthan’s cultural heritage.
Often portrayed as a land of uncritical religiosity, camels and sand, Commander
Mehta brings out Rajasthan's long tradition of scepticism, doubt and
critical reasoning including a considerable religious tolerance. Each story is
logically broken down in anecdotal format with relevant paintings and pictures.
The book is beautifully written and each story is a joy to read. A wide range
of Rajputana's valiant, philosophic and cultural contributions by the
lesser known nobles of the Bachhawat clan is comprehensively covered.
Anupam
Kher, Film Actor, Producer and Director
adds, “Commander Mehta goes back in time and comes up with a book that
celebrates our culture and legacy through some really insightful anecdotes
from the great Rajputana. He takes the reader on an informal journey
where he is not afraid of getting off the highways of history and taking them
through the bylanes of Rajputana heritage where we find some incredible, yet
untold stories of valour and morality at their most educating and entertaining
levels.”
Talking
more about his coffee table book, Mehta says, “Rajputana Chronicles: Guns
& Glories – The thousand-year story of the Bachhawat clan, could perhaps be
essential reading for anyone seriously interested to know how states in
Rajputana were governed and her heritage. This book reverberates with
great kings like Maharana Pratap, Emperor Akbar and the visionary Prime
Ministers like Karam Chand Bachhawat (Bikaner) and Rai Pannalal Mehta (Mewar).”
Commander
Mehta reveals the
intention that drove him and his thought process behind this endeavour, "Whether you
are a genealogist, family or social historian or just a curious mind,
tracing ancestry is both intriguing and perplexing. Traditionally,
familial relationships were passed down via oral history. While this still
occurs in many families today, it’s normal to have
unknown, distant cousins or grandmas being pointed out at
gatherings. In communities that have experienced so much upheaval and
disruption, the most thorough family records may reside in the memories of
relatives."
