Hi! I have got some reviews on Gautam Sen's book, copied herewith with the permission of the reviewers and Gautam. I am waiting for this book myself.
Cheers harit
Joyaux Automobiles des Maharadjahs by G Sen Joyaux Automobiles des Maharadjahs
by Gautam Sen
[Cher lecteur, la traduction française de cette critique se trouve en bas de la page.]
A clientele of wealthy Indian enthusiasts with incredibly deep pockets and remarkable eccentricities absorbed disproportionately large numbers of European and American cars, from bejeweled Rolls-Royces to more common fare such as Fiats and Fords. Of the survivors on the luxury end few were ever seen, let alone sold, outside of India, especially after 1972 when privy purses were abolished and the government banned the export of classic cars.
Gautam Sen is the editor of
Auto India, the best-selling car magazine that covers both classic and modern cars in India. He is based in Paris which partly explains why the first edition of this book has been translated into French. The English one will be released early next year.
The preface contains a short but necessary lesson in Indian history. Heads of States were not only Maharajahs, but also Nizams, Maharanas, Mirs etc. because India is a mosaic of cultures and States. The relative importance of “salute” and “non-salute” States is explained so that we can understand the hierarchy established by the British in their colony. There is also a map of all the Princely States.
This book is not an exhaustive compendium of all the prestigious cars owned by Indian potentates, but it presents the most important collections that were amassed here. For one thing, some of the wealthy owners—not necessarily only rulers—are understandably discreet about their collections. And for another, it would have been impossible in any case to describe all the collections in a country that counts 1.2 billion people as its population.
The first chapter deals with the early days of motoring in India and especially the history of racing in Calcutta, a sport that was first monopolized by the British but soon became accessible to the Indian aristocracy. The subsequent chapters feature about 70 of the most beautiful cars gathered in private collections, including Protap Roy’s, the current Maharajahs of Udaipur, Gondal, Jodhpur etc. and of course Pranlal Bhogilal’s extraordinary collection, as well as a number of private collections, large and small. The history of each collection is described in detail and the large photos are a treat to the eye. Mercedes, Rolls-Royce, Hispano-Suiza, Bentley, Packard, Cadillac, Delahaye, Talbot-Lago, etc. are particularly well represented in the book. Some exceptional cars are even the subject of a full chapter, like the superlative Delahaye 135 by Figoni & Falaschi or the Invicta “Black Prince.”
The photos are superb, especially Makarand Baokar’s, which are very artsy, although some of the indoor shots are a bit too dark. I had already seen some of them in
Auto India magazine where they had received a fairer treatment. The period pictures are interesting too because many of them show the cars with their owners in various settings and on various occasions, for example before and after restoration. Regrettably, there is no Index.
This large and heavy volume is generously laid out and features a topical, Indian-themed design and colors. It is neither a technical nor a “coffee table” book. It blends car specifications, owners’ lives, history, art, geography and sociology in a fluid prose. It reads like a novel and each chapter can be read individually in no particular order, just like a portfolio of short stories, full of succulent anecdotes. What I appreciated most is the way the histories of the cars and those of the owners are closely intertwining, just like love stories. Gautam Sen is first of all a writer, which makes this book all the more pleasing but he also has a passion for cars, especially cars with a soul. So much so that these are not just “cars,” they are part of the family and their heartbeat.
The last chapters are dedicated to some “exiled” cars, or more exactly, those which were exported or plundered before the government banned all exports of classic cars. German collector Hans-Günter Zach’s ex-collection of Indian Rolls-Royce cars is shown here, naturally, as well as an exceptional Talbot-Lago “Goutte d’Eau” (teardrop).
In conclusion, I loved reading this book and I know I will love to go back to it again and again, because, like a good film, it takes more than one viewing to get all the substance.
Copyright 2010, André Blaize (speedreaders.info).
ANOTHER ONE: The Maharajas And Their Magnificent Motor Cars
Posted by on Monday, December 13, 2010 · Comment
From a swan-necked car that ’caused elephants and people to flee in every direction’, to a Rolls Royce converted to transport a maharaja’s personal cricket team, this new book provides a fascinating insight into a changing society, through the history of the maharajas’ cars.
Indian royalty’s love affair with the automobile began when the first three ‘horseless carriages’ were imported into British India in 1898. In the next half century, the choicest cars with the most unusual coachwork made their way to India to satisfy the varied tastes and demands of the rajas and the maharajas.
All manner of ceremonial throne cars, hunting cars, wedding cars and cars for state processions were owned by 500-odd Indian princes who tried to outdo each other in terms of pomp, glamour and splendour.
This is an engaging account of 70 of the few hundred surviving cars and the stories of the extraordinary people associated with them. The book examines the particular role the cars played in the culture of the royalty, where some were passed down through generations or offered as dowry for marriages as it was deemed ‘shameful’ to sell them.
After India gained Independence, the fortunes of the maharajas began to fade and only a handful were able to keep their wealth by converting their palaces into luxury hotels and retaining the cars bought by their ancestors. Other princely cars were bought up by Indian collectors or found their way abroad.
The extraordinary Brooke ‘Swan’ Car – so named because of a huge swan’s neck curling up from its bonnet – hissed steam from its ‘nostrils’ and provoked uproar when it arrived in Calcutta, causing women to scream and carriages to career off the road. The fabulous Talbot Lago, arguably the most beautiful car in the world at the time, was given by a smitten maharaja to his beautiful British mistress, the Folies Bergere dancer Stella Mudge, as a wedding present. And a magnificent maharaja’s Delahaye 175 was owned at one time by Elton John.
Gautam Sen, the ‘father’ of Indian automotive journalism has done extensive research and been afforded unique access into some of the most splendid car collections in India to create this authoritative and visually impressive study. This is not just a book about cars but an insight into the privileged lives of the top tier of Indian society.
Further, parts are due to appear in the next issue of Top Gear Magazine, which is out on the 23rd of Feb. The Guardian may be running an image gallery on their website and it is has also been featured as Book of the Month in the latest issue of Classic & Sportscar Magazine.