Friday, December 23, 2011

Scandal Point


No resident of or visitor to Shimla can afford to be unfamiliar with the place called Scandal Point on the Mall , in the heart of the town. The name has stuck to the place because of a supposed incident of elopement of the Maharaja of Patiala with a daughter of Viceroy or perhaps the Army commander in the late nineteenth century, which version though handed down to generations over the years, no longer seems true , factually or historically.On the other hand some research on the incident has rubbished the claim that there was anything scandalous about it. That Ms. Manju Jaidka, Professor of English, Punjab University has come up with a novel called Scandal Point , with this place and Patiala as the basis and the backdrop, should go well particularly with the Shimlaites or those who love Shimla , for whatever reason. Irrespective of the negative connotation of the word ‘scandal ’ , scandal pe milenge is the common refrain of the Shimlaites., as the Scandal Point remains the most convenient place to pinpoint as a meeting place , the other one being the Naaz or presently Sher-e- Punjab Dhaba on the other end where the Mall and the Lower Bazar meet. Scandal or no scandal , the name has come to stay.

11 comments:

  1. if possible add some pics of Scandal point here too....:)

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  2. @Irfauddin:

    I have posted a photograph please!

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  3. thanks for sharing that foto, just wanted to see how SCANDAL point looks actually bcoz name is quite interesting...:))

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  4. Thanks for mentioning my book. sharing this on FB. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Scandal-Point-a-Novel/148926458545119

    MJ

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  5. @ Manju:

    Been to the Facebook , ma'am . Shall go for a copy. It must be a good read .Hope it is within my reach to purchase it :)

    regards !

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  6. The Time of India featured a background story about the Scandal point on Feb 12 2012- w/ the author of the upcoming book saying it might have been the father,Maharaja Rajindra Singh, who actually had the English wife- there is record of that, but not record of where the wife and son got to. Interesting. Wld enjoy reading the historical fiction of this tale- even if it is not totally factual :)

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    1. All these Maharajas, with their idiosyncrasies,faults and foibles were legendary figures. Diwan Jarmani Das has written two books titled "Maharaja" and "Maharani" which give a peep into their quaint royal lives !
      Thanks, Anjuli !

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  7. Dear Friends
    Thank you for all your comments. I am happy that "Scandal Point" is doing well in the bookstores. The response of readers has been very heart-warming, too.
    I have done a few readings of the book and there will be one in Shimla probably in March. Will certainly let you know.
    Thanks again and wish you all happy reading!
    Manju Jaidka

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