{"title":"Staff Picks","description":"\u003cp\u003eA curated selection of books personally chosen by our team - featuring timeless classics, cultural treasures, rare finds, and visually beautiful editions across fiction, art, history, cooking, and Indian culture.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"13990-udaipur-the-fabled-city-of-romance","title":"Udaipur - The Fabled City of Romance","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAuthor: Archana Shankar\u003cbr\u003ePhotographer: Pankaj Rakesh\u003cbr\u003ePublisher: Roli Books\u003cbr\u003eYear: 1997\u003cbr\u003eLanguage: English\u003cbr\u003ePages: 80\u003cbr\u003eISBN\/UPC (if available): 8174370722\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e Description\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSet in the lush Girwa Valley, surrounded by the Aravallis and interspersed with translucent lakes, Udaipur (meaning city of sunrise) is more favored by nature than most of its desert neighbors. It is situated in southern Rajasthan, 430 kilometers from Jaipur, and is a land of lakeside pleasure palaces, rambling hilltop fortresses, luxuriant gardens with fountains and streams, where bards sing of beautiful princesses and epic warriors. Its annals abound with tales of romance, heroism, chivalry and great traditions.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eUdaipur, Chittor and Bhilwara formed Mewar, the largest erstwhile princely state in Rajasthan and a geographically secluded territory whose distinctive physical features played an important part in shaping its history.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMaharana Udai Singh II (1536-1572) laid the foundation of Udaipur as the capital of Mewar in 1567, after the final sack of Chittor by the Moghuls. He built Udaipur (named after himself) between the fortresses of Chittor and Kumbhalgarh. Nestling in an enchanting valley with abundant water and formidable natural defenses, Udaipur was a counterpoint to stark Chittor, 111 kilometres away.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The India Club","offers":[{"title":"Archana Shankar \/ Roli Books \/ Paperback","offer_id":40776325005481,"sku":"13990","price":29.25,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0582\/1048\/4393\/files\/udaipur.png?v=1779127706"},{"product_id":"15343-white-mughals-love-and-betrayal-in-eighteenth-century-india","title":"White Mughals  - Love and Betrayal in Eighteenth Century India","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAuthor: William Dalrymple\u003cbr\u003ePublisher: Penguin\u003cbr\u003eYear: 2002-12-01\u003cbr\u003eLanguage: English\u003cbr\u003ePages: 580\u003cbr\u003eISBN\/UPC (if available): 0143030469\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e Description\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhite Mughals is the romantic and ultimately tragic tale of a passionate love affair that transcended all the cultural, religious and political boundaries of its time.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eJames Achilles Kirkpatrick landed on the shores of eighteenth-century India as an ambitious soldier of the East India Company. Although eager to make his name in the subjection of a nation, it was he who was conquered- not by an army but by an Indian Muslim princess. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eKirkpatrick was the British resident at the court of the Nizam of Hyderabad when in 1798 he glimpsed Khair un-Nissa- Most Excellent among Women- the great niece of the Nizam’s Prime Minister. He fell in love with Khair, and overcame many obstacles to marry her – not least of which was the fact that she was locked away in purdah and engaged to a local nobleman. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEventually, while remaining Resident, Kirkpatrick converted to Islam, and according to Indian sources even became a double-agent working for the Hyderabadis against the East India Company.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePossessing all the sweep and resonance of a great nineteenth-century novel, White Mughals, the product of five years writing and research from a variety of previously unused Indian and British primary sources, is a remarkable tale of harem politics, secret assignations, court intrigue, religious disputes and espionage. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt brings to life a unique age almost entirely unexplored in recent times and will undoubtedly be regarded as Dalrymple’s masterpiece.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eREVIEWS\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA brilliant and compulsively readable book.\u003cbr\u003e-Salman Rushdie\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAmbitious in scope and rich in detail.\u003cbr\u003e-New Yorker\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMoving, wide-ranging and richly textured, Through massive research blessed with serendipity, and through imagination and empathy, Dalrymple has evoked the world of the British in late 18th century India as no one has before, a wonderful book.\u003cbr\u003e-Times Literary Supplement\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eContents\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eList of illustrations\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMap: India in 1795\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMap: Hyderabad in 1805\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFamily Tree: The Shushtaris\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFamily Tree: The Kirkpatricks\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDramatis Personae\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAcknowledgements\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIntroduction\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhite Mughals\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGlossary\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNotes\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBibliography\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIndex\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The India Club","offers":[{"title":"William Dalrymple \/ Penguin \/ Paperback","offer_id":40776348860585,"sku":"15343","price":48.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0582\/1048\/4393\/files\/whitemughals.png?v=1779127662"},{"product_id":"23545-50-great-curries-of-india-book-with-dvd","title":"50 Great Curries of India      (Book with DVD)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAuthor: Camellia Panjabi\u003cbr\u003ePublisher: Rupa\u003cbr\u003eYear: 2007\u003cbr\u003eLanguage: English\u003cbr\u003ePages: 192\u003cbr\u003eISBN\/UPC (if available): 8129114662\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e Description\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis stunningly illustrated book takes the reader on a journey through the sights, smells and tastes of the centerpiece of the Indian meal, the curry. It is more than just a recipe book; it is a beautiful culinary trip around India and a fully researched guide to preparing and creating delicious curry-based meals.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOver the last twenty years, the author has traveled all over India and sought homes and cooks for her repertoire. Here she presents fifty of the most delicious, exotic and inspiring of these curries. Each individual recipe has a facing color photograph, and important ingredients are illustrated as well. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIndian cuisine is unusual in its flexibility. There are no rigid recipes.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eReviews:\u003cbr\u003e‘This is the most intelligent book ever written about Indian food. Not only does it include the finest recipes of a vanishing India, but it also displays a thoughtful understanding of the origins, ingredients and philosophy of our cuisine.’\u003cbr\u003e- VIR SANGHVI Editor, Sunday Magazine\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e‘Camellia Panjabi is arguably India’s foremost gourmet and food expert. Her profound knowledge will always be an inspiration tome her book is a culinary milestone.’\u003cbr\u003e- PAT CHAPMAN Founder of The Curry Club\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFREE DVD ENCLOSED:\u003cbr\u003eIncludes 30 minutes showing you how to cook perfect home-style curries.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eContents\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAcknowledgements\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIntroduction\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCulinary India\u003cbr\u003eThe Philosophy of Indian Cuisine\u003cbr\u003eWhy an Indian Meal?\u003cbr\u003eWhat Exactly is a Curry?\u003cbr\u003eMaking a Curry\u003cbr\u003eThe Use of Spices\u003cbr\u003eHerbs and Fresh Spices\u003cbr\u003eChillies\u003cbr\u003eThe Curry Picture\u003cbr\u003eHints and Short Cuts\u003cbr\u003eMaking a Simple Home-style Curry\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRECIPES:\u003cbr\u003eTHE CURRIES\u003cbr\u003eRice\u003cbr\u003eIndian Bread or Rotis\u003cbr\u003eSide Vegetables\u003cbr\u003ePotatoes\u003cbr\u003eLentils\u003cbr\u003eYoghurt (Raitas)\u003cbr\u003ePapadams\u003cbr\u003eChutneys\u003cbr\u003eCachumbers or Relishes\u003cbr\u003eDesserts\u003cbr\u003ePlanning a Meal\u003cbr\u003eSuggested Menus\u003cbr\u003eWhat to Drink with Indian Food\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIndex\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The India Club","offers":[{"title":"Camellia Panjabi \/ Rupa \/ Paperback","offer_id":40776526823593,"sku":"23545","price":62.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0582\/1048\/4393\/files\/curries.png?v=1779127611"},{"product_id":"4149-beyond-the-veil-indian-women-in-the-raj","title":"Beyond the Veil -Indian Women in the Raj","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAuthor: Pran Nevile\u003cbr\u003ePublisher: Nevile Books\u003cbr\u003eYear: 2000\u003cbr\u003eLanguage: English\u003cbr\u003ePages: 144\u003cbr\u003eISBN\/UPC (if available): 8190116606\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e Description\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSumptuously illustrated with reproductions of the finest paintings and drawings, this art book is the first scholarly work of its kind on the formidable subject of Indian women. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWomen in India have always been accorded pride of place in both religious and philosophical thought.  They were capable of advanced learning in every branch of knowledge and enjoyed high status in society in Vedic times.  This was followed by a long period when they were relegated behind the veil.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe British authors have left behind fascinating descriptive accounts of Indian women, their customs and manners and mode of life during the Raj period.  Many of them admire the Indian women for her innate sense of modesty and sing paeans to her womanliness.  As regards the visual record by British artists, the Western concept of beauty had its impact on their portrayal of Indian women.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn this well-researched attempt to look 'beyond the veil' of Indian women, the author has delineated the beauty of Indian women in such a sensitive manner that you can almost feel mesmerized by her electrifying presence.  While stylishly portraying the pomp and pageantry of the performing artists, he does not overlook the anguish and pain of the traditional Indian, which she overcomes with sheer grit and fortitude.  And at no point does he lose control over the narrative which provides a fascinating study of the phenomenon called woman.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The India Club","offers":[{"title":"Pran Nevile \/ Nevile Books \/ Hardcover","offer_id":40776661729449,"sku":"4149","price":128.25,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0582\/1048\/4393\/files\/beyondveil.png?v=1779127554"},{"product_id":"8196-sister-india","title":"Sister India","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAuthor: Peggy Payne\u003cbr\u003ePublisher: Riverhead Books\u003cbr\u003eYear: 2001\u003cbr\u003eLanguage: English\u003cbr\u003ePages: 275\u003cbr\u003eISBN\/UPC (if available): 1573221767\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e Description\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA poetic evocation of contemporary India as well as of the human spirit.  With its insights into clashing cultures, it deserves comparison as a modern version of E M Forster's classic: 'A Passage to India'.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe lonely Planet guidebook recommends the Saraswati Guest House in Varanasi and meeting its proprietor Madame Natraja, ' a one-woman blend of East and West', as a worthwhile side trip for the adventurous traveler in India. Over the course of one weekend, several guests turn up at the Saraswati, shocked to encounter a nearly four-hundred-pound surly white woman in a sari. Jill Thornton, thirtyish and single, has come only to rest and see the sights before home from a business trip to New Delhi. T J Clayton, a swaggering southern bureaucrat, has arrived in India on a grant to study the pollution-plagued River Ganges.  And Marie Jasper, nearly eighty years old, has ventured to Varanasi alone, after the death of her husband, to find peace by the holy river. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBut as happens so often in India, Natraja's guests find more than what they came for.  When a series of Hindu-Muslim murders rocks the peace of this sacr4ed place, the entire city is placed under curfew indefinitely - no one may leave his home. Natraja's guests unwittingly become her captives, and the guardians of her secrets. So begins a period of days blending into nights, as Natraja and her Indian cook become entangled in the web of religious violence. And their guests each fall slowly under the spell of Varanasi - both enthralled and repelled by its wandering holy men, public funeral pyres, and pilgrims bathing in the Ganges at dawn. They feel the rumble of their own inner revolutions as they are drawn further and further into the folds of their captive city.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAnd Natraja herself feels the isolated existence she has carefully guarded for twenty-odd years, since she came to  Varanasi as a beautiful young woman, begin to break open.  She starts to come alive again in the shadows of the exotic city's claustrophobic lanes, among the smells of the perfume market and the rhythms of the holy men, chanting on the river bank.  She awakens to love, and to life. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEXCERPTS FROM REVIEWS: \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSister India is a mesmerizing, hypnotic story of discovery and redemption that illuminates a part of the world that many Westerners may find only dimly familiar.  Peggy Payne's rich tapestry o9f images and finely drawn characters will linger in your mind long after you have finished the book.-Gail Harris, Creator and host, PBS's Body \u0026amp; Soul series\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePeggy Payne has created a powerful work of fiction, a suspenseful story of murder in a city along with the holy River Ganges, a city under curfew after an outbreak of religious violence. She makes you feel the claustrophobic turns of the streets; smell the oily-ashen scent of the air; hear the sound of Hindu chants at sunrise. The result is a compelling drama, vividly told, that will keep you turning the pages.-Lucy McCauley, editor, A Woman's Path: Women's Best Spiritual Travel Writing\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFrom its four-hundred-pound narrator to its arresting imagery, Sister India is that rarity, an utterly original novel.  It is both profound and mesmerizing.-Lee Smith, author of Saving Grace\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The India Club","offers":[{"title":"Peggy Payne \/ Riverhead Books \/ Hardcover","offer_id":40776723136681,"sku":"8196","price":29.25,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0582\/1048\/4393\/files\/sisterindia.png?v=1779127502"}],"url":"https:\/\/indiaclub.com\/de\/collections\/staff-picks-1.oembed","provider":"The India Club","version":"1.0","type":"link"}