Learning that the book was sponsored makes things a little clearer. I'm sure there were lots of excesses under princely rule but it wasn't ALL excess and extravagance and arbitrary irresponsible misgovernment and kidnapping and sexual athletics. It couldn't have been. For one thing, it is hard to see why the British, who were often glad of a chance to take over the management of a mismanaged state, would have tolerated this kind of thing on the scale Diwan Jermani Dass suggests. A book of salacious stories is fun to read, but I would be grateful to the group for suggestions of more balanced books on 19-20C state government. Many thanks -- I am gratified by the feedback and glad to be part of this group. David Phillips San Francisco dphillips@fbm.com -----Original Message----- From: india-royalty-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:india-royalty-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Epicure Sent: Saturday, February 09, 2008 3:49 AM To: india-royalty@rootsweb.com Subject: [INDIA-ROYALTY] Diwan Jarmani Dass' sponsored writing Even if the price factor is negated, and all that Dewan Jermany Das has written is true, the former Royals of India were miles better than the political Royals of today! Before I open my box in support of what I said about the said author, I recommend Charles Allen and Sharda Dwivedi to be contacted as they also have much on them to prove my contention that the Book was motivated and sponsored. The sponsor was non other then Mrs. Indira Gandhi, who got against Royals families out of jealously she had with Rajmata Scindia and Rajmata Gayatri Devi of Jaipur, both ladies of great grace and both being her political opponents. The pre independence books against Royals were also sponsored by the congress party, which is a well known fact. SM ----- Original Message ----- From: "Abhinn" <abhinn@sancharnet.in> To: <india-royalty@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, February 09, 2008 2:49 PM Subject: Re: [INDIA-ROYALTY] Diwan Jarmani Dass > Dear All. > > I trust Rs/- 10 way back in 1969 was as much as rs/- 1000.00 of today > > can you believe way back in 1969 Gold was less than Rs/-125/- per 10 > gms > and > today it is Rs/-11125/- per 10 gms which means nearly a 100 times . > > And Most of the Edibles today were sold at peanuts and cost of living > then was not imaginable. > > I recall My father telling me that prtrol then was less than 0.75 ( > three quarter of a rupee) and today is nearly 50/- again cars then In > INDIA only FIAT and AMBASSABOR were sold at around 10000.00 each and > you know the story today. > > well past is past but then we cannot deny the misdoings of the royal > families, Personally I admire the INDIAN Royal Heritage and work very > closely with them but then Like a saying goes all finger's are not the > same......................... > > Natwar > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Epicure" <shyamofindia@hotmail.com> > To: <india-royalty@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Saturday, February 09, 2008 1:39 PM > Subject: Re: [INDIA-ROYALTY] Diwan Jarmani Dass > > >> Dear David Phillips, >> I'd like to caution you, before you form opinions, after Dewan >> Jarmani Das' book. This book, as a few others, was written to meet a >> specific a purpose >> and was sold in its first edition at a ridiculously low price of just >> Rs. >> 10/-, which also proves that it was a sponsored product with a motive to >> malign. >> I have in my possession a few anecdotes which further my contention. >> So, do not gobble utterly spiced narrations of Dewan Jermani Das as >> gospel >> truth. Also admire the dignity that the concerned Royal families have >> exhibited by not indulging in a mud slinging match with either the Dewan, >> or >> his publishers. >> Best Wishes! >> SHYAM >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: <DPhillips@fbm.com> >> To: <INDIA-ROYALTY@rootsweb.com> >> Sent: Saturday, February 09, 2008 12:02 AM >> Subject: [INDIA-ROYALTY] Diwan Jarmani Dass >> >> >>>I am new to the group and this is my maiden e-mail. >>> >>> I am just now reading Diwan Jarmani Dass' book Maharaja, first >>> issued in 1969 and just reprinted in 2007 in paperback in India. He >>> was a minister in the princely government of Kapurthala in Punjab >>> and the book (which I gather from its appearance in bibliographies) >>> is well known, is full of the most scandalous stories about the >>> princes of many states, especially Patiala. In fact it is almost >>> nothing but scandalous stories. I wonder: how seriously should I >>> take the stories in this book? Some of them seem pretty extreme. >>> I'd be grateful for guidance. >>> >>> David Phillips >>> San Francisco >>> dphillips@fbm.com >>> ____________________________________________________________________ >>> _______ >>> This e-mail message is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) >>> and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any >>> unauthorized >>> review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not >>> the >>> intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and >>> destroy >>> all copies of the original message. Thank you. Farella Braun + Martel >>> LLP >>> >>> ------------------------------- >>> To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to >>> INDIA-ROYALTY-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' >>> without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message >>> >> >> >> ------------------------------- >> To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to >> INDIA-ROYALTY-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' >> without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message >> > > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > INDIA-ROYALTY-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message > ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to INDIA-ROYALTY-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message