ABSTRACT
William Dalrymple’s book, dealing with the relationship between the British and India’s Muslim aristocracy in the eighteenth century, celebrates racial relationships before colonialism hardened in its outlook. The chapter looks at what Dalrymple’s book reveals about colonial attitudes towards Muslims and Hindus and different segments in India’s hierarchical society. An issue of importance here is the way the British were placed at the top of hierarchical society and how they responded. Dalrymple occupies a position of importance in India’s cultural space, and his book also enquires into his own position in India.
