Lord Curzon: the Last of the British Moghuls by Nayana Goradia. Delhi: Oxford University Press 1993.

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Sina M. Mossayeb: Book Review

Lord Curzon: the Last of the British Moghuls by Nayana Goradia. Delhi: Oxford University Press 1993.

Goradia's Lord Curzon: the Last of the British Moghuls is a monograph charged with blemished historiography. Her image of the British monarchy, the formative years of Curzon's life, and finally his role as Viceroy appear in a variety of ways. Cumulatively the book is garbled in a maze of inter-disciplinary surveys. She addresses his childhood and adolescence in psycho-analytical terms and interpretative arguments, while diving into his encounters with homosexual-oriented masters at Eton. Goradia's historical analysis of Lord Curzon as viceroy is hardly detached from any sentiment she may espouse toward his role in India. Her political analysis of Curzon's rule and diplomatic relations does not introduce sufficient proof for any argument. Nevertheless, her narrative style of writing renders the book a fancy read, but fails to hold the integrity of academic literature. Her posed words, filled with value judgments, acquit the book of any unbiased merit.

In the first two chapters, Goradia's provision for adequate introductory background of Curzon is surpassed by creating a stereotypical paradigm of British self-exaltation and pomp. Although the