Mirza Ghalib – poet laureate of the court AND a clever local detective, imagine that. A hook that is sure to attract many a readers like myself to this book, does not feel forcefully contrived.
In this historical fiction by Raza Mir, set against the backdrop of the first feud of Indian Independence in 1857, the events take place roughly a month after Mangal Pandey was executed in Barrackpore protesting against tallow-laid cartridges.
In the settings of the book, Ghalib has acquired a reputation of being a trustworthy sleuth, solving petty cases for the British every now and then. His deep knowledge of the cultural and societal schemes and his on-the-feet thinking was an asset in his pursuits.
Following an evening of the mushaira, an evening social gathering where several eminent poets come to share their newly created poems and couplets, a corpse is found – a poet murdered by stabbing, and newly-appointed Naib-Kotwal Kirorimal Chainsukh has been appointed to solve the case. Kirorimal insists that Mirza Ghalib be permitted to be his co-investigator, for he is a novice and does not understand the words of poets, many of them who are suspects in this case.
Enters Ghalib into the crime scene, and Watson to this Sherlock is Master Ramachandra, a professor with newly acquired knowledge of forensic science. Probing this case, they realise that they’re dealing with something much bigger than an isolated crime. Why was this poet murdered? Why is the East India Company so invested in solving this case and catching the culprit? Is there a bigger scheme of things at play that Ghalib and co. have no knowledge about?
Multitudes of characters grace the book – some real, historical figures (apart from Ghalib), people whose personalities have been imagined, but their social and economic standing is inspired by reality. Also, it’s not hard to visualise the ambience of the 1850s through the words the author put on paper.
This book, which serves as a murder mystery and in parallel a brilliant thriller around the Indian Independence, is an enjoyable read. If poetry tickles your heart, the Urdu couplet that introduces each chapter might be something you fancy.
Overall: 4/5
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