Twilight in Delhi by Ahmed Ali

Have just finished reading Twilight in Delhi by Ahmed Ali.

It was first published in 1940, and although Ahmed Ali was a major Indian author and his writing was aimed at his fellow Indians it is significant that he wrote the novel in English.

It is set in Delhi in 1911, the year of the Coronation Durbar.

It is essential a lament for a culture being overwhelmed by one of the early phases of globalisation (as we know, this experiment in globalisation led to revolt by the Indians and the expulsion of the farangis).

"Nothing" Asghar replied, heaving a sigh, and his beautiful eyes looked deep and sad with pain, and his fresh skin looked wrinkled and old.

His people came of Arab stock and prided themselves on being Saiyyeds, direct descendants of the Prophet, and this low blood in her veins was bound to stand in the way of his father giving his consent to the marriage.

...father has never been sympathetic towards me.  He is always shouting at me and getting angry.  I must not wear pumps or English shirts.  I must not grow my hair in the English fashion.  If I had stayed in Delhi, he wouldn't have even allowed me to learn English.

...a salute of guns announced the arrival of the English King.  As they sounded a shout went up from the crowds, as if the King had come right in their midst.

But most failed to see which was King and which was officials.  The English looked all so alike with their white faces and their similar military uniforms.

(The building of New Delhi) The residents of Delhi resented all this, for their city, in which they had been born and grew up, the city of their dreams and reality, was being changed beyond recognition.  They passed bitter remarks and denounced the Farangis.