11th January 2025: The opening day of the Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival 2025 witnessed an enlightening session with William Dalrymple, one of the most celebrated historians and travel writers of our time. Dalrymple, whose career spans decades of exploring history, culture, and geopolitics, humbly declared, “I have no talent other than writing” in a session moderated by fellow historian Rana Safvi.
He recounted the genesis of his debut book, In Xanaduwhich stemmed from his desire to undertake an extraordinary journey during his time at Cambridge. Fueled by a grant of £750Dalrymple retraced the path of Marco Polo, traveling through Israel, Syria, Cyprus, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and China. This audacious adventure not only became the foundation of his book but also earned him a place on the front page of The Times.
During the session, Dalrymple discussed the 1980s travel writing phenomenon and its influence on his works. He fondly remembered his time writing the book City of Djinns and his deep love for the Middle East, having explored Turkey, Syria, and Lebanon extensively.
Another of his seminal works, From the Holy Mountain, delves into the lives of Christian minorities in the Middle East. Dalrymple shed light on the intricate links between Islam and Christianity, emphasizing how Eastern Christian communities act as bridges between the two faiths. “A world still survives there,” he remarked, painting a vivid picture of resilience and coexistence.
Dalrymple also reflected on the pivotal shift in his career from travel writing to history, which he credited to a personal turning point after the birth of his daughter. “I could no longer put myself in dangerous situations,” he shared, explaining how this life change encouraged him to explore narratives that could be told from the safety of archives and historical records.
This transition gave rise to his acclaimed historical works, including The White Mughals. Talking about his new book, The Golden Roadhe said, “The unprecedented success of The Golden Road lies in its flattering portrayal of India as the center of the world, celebrating its historical and cultural significance.”
Comments are closed.