In Rajasthan, the game of kings is an aspirational recreation—for queens, rich tourists and poor
mahouts alike. But riding a horse is not a skill that can be hired for a day, and therefore there’s also chauffeured polo, atop elephants and camels.
Call this a far-fetched analogy if you will, but I am given to believe that the Indian penchant for all things ‘phoren’ stretches beyond the realm of human existence to the world of flora and fauna as well.
There’s more to the erotic imagery at the Khajuraho temples than a wanton display of lust. The author reveals the architectural logic for these sacred sculptures
TCA Raghavan is a former Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan and Singapore. His first book, Attendant Lords: Abdur Rahim and Bairam Khan: Courtiers and Poets in Mughal India, was awarded the Mohammad Habib Prize by the Indian History Congress. He is also the author of The People Next Door: The Curious History of India’s Relations with Pakistan and History Men: Jadunath Sarkar, G S Sardesai, Raghubir Sinh and Their Quest for India’s Past. His latest book is Circles of Freedom: Love, Friendship and Loyalty in the Indian National Struggle