The Princess and the Political Agent, Binodini Devi
The Princess and the Political Agent, Binodini Devi
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The Princess and the Political Agent

Author: Binodini Devi, L. Somi Roy

Narrator: L. Somi Roy

Unabridged: 8 hr 54 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 09/06/2022


Synopsis

The Manipuri writer Binodini's Sahitya Akademi Award-winning historical novel The Princess and the Political Agent tells the love story of her aunt Princess Sanatombi and Lt. Col. Henry P. Maxwell, the British representative in the subjugated Tibeto-Burman kingdom of Manipur. A poignant story of love and fealty, treachery andvalour, it is set in the midst of the imperialist intrigues of the British Raj, the glory of kings, warring princes, clever queens and loyal retainers. Reviving front-page global headlines of the day, Binodini's perspective is from the vanquished by love andwar, and the humbling of a proud kingdom. Its sorrows and empathy sparkle with wit and beauty, as it deftly dissects the build-up and aftermath of the perfidy of the Anglo-Manipuri War of 1891. Binodini is the supreme stylist of contemporary Manipuri literatureand an icon of Manipuri modernism, and her tale of a forbidden love and ostracism vividly brings to life the court and manners of a little-known Asian kingdom. In doing so, she recovers its little-known history, its untold relations with India and Great Britain,and a forgotten chapter of the British Raj.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Vikas on March 05, 2023

The book is a revealing read into the luxuries and the eccentricities of a privileged few who came to rule in the then remote part of this country. Despite valiant attempt by author to paint it as a love story , what can be distilled as the truth is the betrayal of the common people by the ruling cl......more

Goodreads review by Reading_ on December 11, 2021

I would rather read the original again. The translation isn't upto what I had expected. Review coming up.......more

Goodreads review by Dr Nilima on May 27, 2020

A historical love story between a headstrong and impetuous royal princess and benevolent, affable British soldier. The author, M. K. Binodini Devi recounted the memoirs of the interdicted relationship between Sanatombi, the royal princess and the eldest daughter of Maharaja Surchandra and the British......more

Goodreads review by Langlen on February 27, 2021

This book make us understand the palace etiquette, socioeconomic, courtly culture and custom in various ways. When I read the Manipuri script 8yrs back I didn't realise much about this. By the time many questions were remained unanswered but reading this translation work now I understand more why Lt......more

Goodreads review by Ashima on September 13, 2020

When I came across this novel on my Instagram feed, my bookish curiosity was piqued. A Sahitya Akademi award-winning novel by Manipuri writer Binodini, The Princess and the Political Agent tells the story of her aunt, Princess Sanatombi, and the British representative in Manipur, Lt. Col. Henry P. Ma......more