Hindoo Holiday: An Indian Journal

Description

'Radiantly delightful' Evelyn Waugh This highly entertaining and moving journal chronicles J.R. Ackerley's five-month stay as the Private Secretary to the Maharajah of Chhokrapur. Knowing almost nothing of India, he discovers Hindu culture, festivals and language, and reveals the fascinating attitudes of the Palace staff - themselves depicted with humour and occasional infuriation - on women, marriage, the caste system and death. Also here are mocking portraits of the Maharajah's British guests, who gravely warn Ackerley not to 'go indian'. But at the heart of Hindoo Holiday is the wonderfully unpredictable figure of His Highness the Maharajah Sahib who, ultimately, just wants 'someone to love him'.

J. R. Ackerley was born in Herne Hill, Kent, in 1896 and educated at Rossall School and Magdalene College, Cambridge. In 1922 he met E.M. Forster and the two developed a close friendship. It was through Forster's influence that Ackerley left for India in 1923 to work as Private Secretary to the Marharajah of Chhokrapur, which resulted in Hindoo Holiday. He also worked as an assistant producer for the BBC and later as literary editor of the Listener.