Daily Times

LAHORE: Book depicting the life, lifestyles and stories of the Nawabs of the state of Rampur was launched on Tuesday.

The book titled The Gold Dust of Begum Sultans is a story about the women of the family of Rampur’s Nawab. A conversation with Dr Syeda Hameed, the translator of the book and a descendent of the family of the Nawab, was also held on occasion.

Human Rights Commission of Pakistan former chairperson IA Rahman, Professor Salima Hashmi, Dr Arifa Syeda Zahra, Dr Mubashar Hassan and others attended the ceremony, which was held at the residence of Dr Mubashar Hassan and Nazish Ataullah who is the former principal of NCA.

The Gold Dust of Begum Sultans is a powerful story set in post 1857 Rohilkhand, Western UP. It journeys from the plains to the mountains of Aligarh and Naintal. In this intensely patriarchal setting, the book explores Akbar Ali Khan’s household which is paradoxically dominated by strong Begums of three generations.

While exclusively talking to Daily Times on the occasion, IA Rahman said that the book was a true depiction of the lives and lifestyles of Nawabs of pre-partition India. He said that it also helps us understand the Anglo Indian civilisation. It also explained the social history and state of relationships among those Nawabs, he added.

Dr Syeda Hameed narrated the chapters from the books and showcased the photographic collection of Nawabs. She also shared memories of her as a child and how she observed the activities of Begum Sultan.

It is pertinent to mention here that the book was supposed to launch at the Lahore Literary Festival 2017 but due to security problems the schedule was shortened and this particular launch was cancelled.