Welcome to "Revise and Resubmit," your go-to podcast for all things literature, research, and beyond! This episode is part of our "Weekend Book Review" series, where we dive into fascinating books that spark curiosity and enrich our understanding of the world.
Today, we're journeying back to 19th-century British India with a remarkable travelogue, Begums, Thugs and Englishmen, edited by William Dalrymple and originally penned by the indomitable Fanny Parkes. Who was Fanny Parkes, you ask? Born Frances Susanna Archer in Conwy, Wales, Fanny was not your typical memsahib. Married to a civil servant of the British Raj, she spent 24 adventurous years in India, immersing herself in its culture, learning Urdu, and challenging the status quo.
Her journals, first published in 1850, offer an intimate glimpse into a world of contrasts—sacred and profane, beauty and violence, tradition and change. As we explore her observations and reflections, we'll uncover the complexities of colonial India through the eyes of a woman who dared to be different.
So, why does Fanny Parkes's perspective matter today? What can her unique lens teach us about cultural empathy and the legacy of colonialism? Stay tuned as we unravel these questions and more.
A huge thank you to the authors, both Fanny Parkes and William Dalrymple, for bringing this extraordinary narrative to life. Don't forget to subscribe to "Revise and Resubmit" on Spotify, Amazon Prime Music, and Apple Podcast, and check out our YouTube channel, Weekend Researcher, for more enriching content.
Until next time, what other hidden gems of history are waiting to be rediscovered?
Reference
Parlby, F. P. (2003). Begums, thugs and Englishmen: the journals of Fanny Parkes. Penguin Books India. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Begums,_Thugs_and_White_Mughals
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