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 book was published in 1993 by Oxford University Press, it would be of no surprise if the date read 1900.  In addition, she puts forward speculations and interpretations which seemed to detract from her monograph:

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Feats of exceptional endeavor demanded exceptional self-denial.  Empire-building for many Victorians became a sublimation of the sexual instince.  Libidinal or sexual energy if properly channelized has been known to lead to the highest and most creative human endeavour and to Victorians empire-building was a divine call. 

Goradia presents two following chapters on the formative years of Curzon’s life.  

Lord Curzon came from a high-status family, traced back to William the Conqueror.  Throughout his training in various schools, including Eton, Curzon emerges as a traditionally bred British aristocrat.  Goradia explores Curzon’s childhood through analyzing his relationship with ...

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