A Very Pukka murder
Author : Arjun Raj Gaind
Publisher : Harper Collins, Rs 299
This novel traces the sudden death of the British Resident of Rajpore whose mystery the Maharaja sets out to unravel. With fine details, Arjun Raj Gaind makes sure that the co-existence of the two hostile sides forms the core of the novel, writes ASTHA JOSHI
Arjun Raj Gaind’s first part of this mystery trilogy is a complete package which keeps the readers hooked. The interesting background where the British Raj gets entangled with the Indian kingship provides the narrative innumerable twists and turns. The novel traces the sudden death of the British Resident of Rajpore whose mystery the Maharaja sets out to unravel. These two characters, one dead and the other hell bent on unearthing the cause of death become our protagonists. The intricate web of the British power structure that operates in Rajpore is intelligently disclosed by the author. The array of English characters sketched by Gaind is believable and has distinct defining elements. With fine details Gaind makes sure to distinguish the English officials from the native power holders. The co-existence of the two hostile sides forms the core of the novel.
The Maharaja of Rajpore is a multi-faceted colourful person. Well versed with the life and ways of the English as a result of having spent time abroad, he feels himself equipped to string together the disparate threads of Russell’s murder. He then takes upon himself the self-appointed role of the detective. Though, he does confess that this mysterious murder is another opportunity for him to take a break from his boring kingly duties. The suspicious death of a British official is a chance for him to have just a little fun. But with the gradual progression of the novel we notice that the incident entices the Maharaja to an extent that he even forgets to eat or sleep. He proceeds as a typical professional detective does, questioning everyone who falls in the orbit of his suspicion. His questioning forms a large part of the story. It is through these questioning sessions which are carried on between Sikander and the rest of the characters that the readers get a close glimpse of the life at Rajpore. Though the life of the high and mighty runs at the core of Gaind’s work a few peripheral characters such as those of Sikander’s bodyguard and Gurkha soldier are inevitable peg points of the novel.
But what is most starkly revealed through the investigation process itself is the vibrant nature of the Maharaja. His love for women and intoxication are not hidden and he indulges in the two whenever he fancies. The local brothel houses and the not so famous hotels are also regularly visited by him. He mingles with the cream of the society as well as those not so consequential in Rajpore. He knows the purview of his powers and can very well manipulate his way through the gentry. What engages the readers into Sikander’s character is that he can be the dominating emperor and the easy going worldly man without effort. He leaves no stone unturned to catch the culprit’s neck as he proceeds in an extremely professional manner with every little proof and fact. But what keeps the narrative going is that when we as readers and Sikander himself feels to be on the verge of decoding the mystery all his hypothesis comes crashing down.
On a level, Sikander’s interest in Russell’s murder is also one of his ways to exert some control over the British officials. In a scenario where divisions over the physical and political are sharply marked, this investigation becomes the ground where Maharaja Sikander locks horn with the foreign rulers. His attempt to investigate the murder reinforces his kingly confidence and pushes him to an upper hand vis-à-vis the English. The clever manoeuvres played by Sikander as well as the English whom he questions give us insights into the various characters. From the irritating journalist Miller to Fletcher, Jardine and the extremely vengeful Jane, we witness a plethora of human frailties and weaknesses which could be sufficient reasons for any of these to kill Resident Russell.
The story of Gaind’s novel proceeds in retrospection. It is after his death that we get to know about the past life of Russell through the various other characters. Those who had been in close touch with him during his lifetime and were connected to him through official reasons are found openly despising him later on. Gaind brings us close to the English official machinery where people in hierarchical setups harbour negativity towards each other bringing the corrupt face of power politics to the surface. We know now that even the seemingly smooth English official machinery was replete with chinks and loopholes. It only took Sikander a few meetings with the who’s who to reach deeper into the murkier waters of the British society.
Fine detailing and characterisation is another highpoint of the novel. The author makes his characters real and life-like. We as readers are transported to the past where the British officials and the Indian kings had created their separate worlds within the same country. Even though the two prefer being as distant as possible, nonetheless their worlds cross paths much to the dismay of both. The novel has interesting twists and turns and the delay in reaching the culprit just adds to the suspense in the story.
The reviewer is pursuing PhD in Comparative Indian literature, DU
