Kenize Mourad in her historical novel 'In the city of Gold and silver' has made forays into a period of history of the erstwhile Awadh state of India of which Indians are hardly aware of or historians when they wrote the freedom struggle of India, did not give much prominence.
Of Turkish and Indian descent, Mourad's acclaimed novel Dans la ville d'or et d'argent, written in French and translated into many languages, including Italian, Spanish and German, Full Circle brings its English version for the Indian readers in all its richness and originality, thereby, bringing out a gripping tale of a bygone era.
The colorful and unputdownable book has for the first time come out with many intricate details about Begum Hazrat Mahal, (the captivating fourth wife of King Wajid Ali Shah) an important figure in the 1857 First War of Independence and her yeomen contribution that has long been forgotten.
Although romanticized to the hilt, the novel highlights how Muslim women belonging to different dynasties (despite being in purdah) took an active role in pre-independent India be it Hazrat Mahal, Nur Jahan, Qudsia Begum, Razia Sultan, or Begum Sikander.
Hazrat Mahal's confrontation with Maulvi Ahmadullah Shah is masterly when he says, "As a good Muslim, I respect the Holy Book that proclaims 'A state governed by a woman is bound to fail," while Hazrat retorts back, "It is not written in the Holy Quran! As a good Muslim, you know that very well indeed. On the contrary, the Prophet gave women rights that no Christian, Jewish or Hindu woman had at the time, and would only acquire centuries later : the right to inheritance, the right to dispose of her property as she sees fit, and the right to conduct business.
Some women were even nominated to the position of cadis (judges), and not just that 'Nowhere in the Quran' does it state that the face has to be hidden, not even the hair ! Women are only asked to be modest.
The Holy book says to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty ; they should not display their beauty and ornaments except that they should draw their veils over their bosoms. Over the centuries, men have perverted the meaning of Prophet's teachings."
Continuing with the theory of misinterpretation, the Begum further says, "Maulvi, mullahs, imams, these people have no right to dictate how others should behave! Prophet Mohammad did not want a clergy. He saw only too well what damage these priests can perpetrate. He wanted the believer to be alone with the sacred book - the word of God - to be able to interpret the scriptures himself, in accordance with his conscience."
The development of Hazrat from an orphaned girl, molded to lead a life of nobility in the harem of King Wajid Ali Shah and finally rising out of the harem to unite the Indian forces to fight the treacherous British has been described with sympathy, passion and ethos.
The fascinating journey of the brave and charismatic Hazrat from her impoverished childhood to the rich, refined, decadent culture of Awadh is so vividly portrayed that one can literally visualize that period of Lucknow even today.
In fact, the Begum's personal life runs parallel with the political upheavals of the time, the dramatic events that have a direct impact on her life, molding her into a much-loved regent, the intrepid freedom fighter but also her great love for Rajah Jai Lal, the fearless and bold military leader of Awadh. Both in their own spheres, she as the regent of Awadh and he as a military strategist are bound together by their common goal to free the country from the savage British while torn asunder by intense attraction towards each other.
For nearly two years, the Begum becomes 'the soul of a revolt', which nearly a century later, culminates in India’s Independence under Mahatma Gandhi’s leadership.
If Begum Hazrat Mahal was a shining hope of the disparate Indian forces be it Hindus or Muslims whom she united under her command, this biographical novel is a literary delight as well as tribute to this gutsy lady.
The novel also eulogizes many unknown facets of India’s First War of Independence and at the same time paying respects to Lucknow, the capital of the Kingdom of Awadh. This city of gold and silver celebrated for its splendor, culture and communal harmony…..plundered and looted by the merciless, inhuman colonizing forces of the British was alas! Lost forever.