Download City of Djinns, a Bestselling Book by William Dalrymple, in EPUB and Learn about Delhi's Magic and Mystery

City of Djinns: A Captivating Memoir of Delhi by William Dalrymple

If you are looking for a book that will take you on a journey through one of the most fascinating and ancient cities in the world, then you should definitely check out City of Djinns by William Dalrymple. This book is a travelogue that chronicles a year spent in Delhi, a city that is watched over and protected by the mischievous invisible djinns. In this book, you will discover the layers of history, culture, and mysticism that make Delhi such a unique and captivating place.

city of djinns epub reader

The Author: Who is William Dalrymple and what are his credentials?

William Dalrymple is a Scottish historian, writer, and broadcaster who has written several acclaimed books on India and its history. He has won numerous awards for his work, including the Samuel Johnson Prize, the Wolfson History Prize, and the Duff Cooper Prize. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and a co-founder of the Jaipur Literature Festival.

Dalrymple first visited India when he was 18 years old and fell in love with the country. He decided to move to Delhi in 1989 and spent six years living there. During this time, he wrote City of Djinns, which was his second book and his first bestseller. He has since written several other books on India, such as The Last Mughal, The Anarchy, and In Xanadu.

The Format: What is an epub reader and how can you use it to read the book?

An epub reader is a software or device that allows you to read ebooks in the epub format. Epub stands for electronic publication and it is a widely used format for digital books. Epub files are compatible with most e-readers, such as Kindle, Nook, Kobo, and iPad. They are also easy to download, store, and transfer.

To read City of Djinns in epub format, you will need an epub reader that can open the file. You can either use a dedicated e-reader device or download an app on your smartphone, tablet, or computer. Some popular apps that can read epub files are Calibre, Adobe Digital Editions, iBooks, Google Play Books, and FBReader.

Once you have an epub reader installed, you can download City of Djinns from various online sources, such as Kobo, Amazon, Google Play Store, or Apple Books. You can also find free or discounted copies of the book on websites like Project Gutenberg or Archive.org. After downloading the file, you can open it with your epub reader and enjoy reading the book.

The Content: What are the main themes and topics covered in the book?

City of Djinns is a book that explores the many facets of Delhi, from its ancient origins to its modern challenges. The book is divided into eight chapters, each focusing on a different aspect of the city. Here are some of the main themes and topics covered in the book:

The History: How does the book explore the rich and complex past of Delhi?

Delhi is a city that has been inhabited for over 3000 years and has witnessed the rise and fall of many empires, dynasties, and civilizations. The book traces the history of Delhi through its various incarnations, such as Indraprastha, Lal Kot, Siri, Tughlaqabad, Firozabad, Shahjahanabad, and New Delhi. The book also delves into the stories of some of the most influential figures who shaped Delhi's history, such as Prithviraj Chauhan, Alauddin Khilji, Muhammad bin Tughlaq, Timur, Babur, Akbar, Shah Jahan, Aurangzeb, Nadir Shah, Bahadur Shah Zafar, and Edwin Lutyens.

The Culture: How does the book portray the diverse and vibrant culture of Delhi?

Delhi is a city that is home to people from various religions, languages, ethnicities, and backgrounds. The book showcases the diversity and vibrancy of Delhi's culture through its food, music, art, literature, festivals, and customs. The book also introduces some of the colorful and eccentric characters who live in Delhi, such as the beady-eyed Mrs Puri who runs a guesthouse, the elusive eunuchs who rule the streets at night, the Sufi mystics who commune with the djinns, and the last remnants of the Raj who cling to their colonial past.

The Mysticism: How does the book reveal the hidden and mysterious aspects of Delhi?

Delhi is a city that is steeped in mysticism and magic. The book uncovers the hidden and mysterious aspects of Delhi that are often overlooked or ignored by the mainstream. The book explores the legends and myths that surround Delhi, such as the curse of Indraprastha, the prophecy of Nizamuddin Auliya, the secrets of Mehrauli, and the power of the djinns. The book also investigates some of the paranormal phenomena that occur in Delhi, such as ghost sightings, haunted places, exorcisms, and miracles.

The Reception: How did the book receive critical acclaim and recognition?

City of Djinns was published in 1993 and received critical acclaim and recognition from both readers and reviewers. The book won several awards, such as the Thomas Cook Travel Book Award, the Sunday Times Young British Writer of the Year Award, and the Prix d'Astrolabe. The book was also praised by eminent writers and critics, such as Salman Rushdie, Pico Iyer, Jan Morris, Khushwant Singh, and Vikram Seth. The book has been translated into several languages and has sold over a million copies worldwide.

The Recommendation: Why should you read the book and where can you find it online?

City of Djinns is a book that will enchant you with its vivid and engaging narration of Delhi's history, culture, and mysticism. It is a book that will make you fall in love with Delhi's charm and complexity. It is a book that will inspire you to visit Delhi or revisit it with a new perspective.

If you are interested in reading City of Djinns, you can find it online in various formats and platforms. You can buy or download an epub version of the book from Kobo, Amazon, Google Play Store, or Apple Books. You can also find free or discounted copies of the book on websites like Project Gutenberg or Archive.org. Alternatively, you can borrow an epub version of the book from your local library or online library services.

Conclusion: A summary of the main points and a call to action for the readers.

It is a book that will enchant you with its vivid and engaging narration of Delhi's history, culture, and mysticism. It is a book that will make you fall in love with Delhi's charm and complexity. It is a book that will inspire you to visit Delhi or revisit it with a new perspective.

If you are interested in reading City of Djinns, you can find it online in various formats and platforms. You can buy or download an epub version of the book from Kobo, Amazon, Google Play Store, or Apple Books. You can also find free or discounted copies of the book on websites like Project Gutenberg or Archive.org. Alternatively, you can borrow an epub version of the book from your local library or online library services.

Conclusion: A summary of the main points and a call to action for the readers.

In conclusion, City of Djinns is a captivating memoir of Delhi by William Dalrymple that explores the history, culture, and mysticism of one of the most fascinating cities in the world. It is a book that will take you on a journey through Delhi's past and present and reveal its secrets and wonders. It is a book that will enchant you with its vivid and engaging narration of Delhi's history, culture, and mysticism. It is a book that will make you fall in love with Delhi's charm and complexity. It is a book that will inspire you to visit Delhi or revisit it with a new perspective.

If you are looking for a book that will transport you to another world and enrich your knowledge and imagination, then you should definitely read City of Djinns by William Dalrymple. You can find it online in epub format or other formats and platforms. Don't miss this opportunity to discover the magic and mystery of Delhi with one of the best writers of our time.

FAQs: Five unique questions and answers related to the article.

• What are djinns and why are they associated with Delhi?

• Djinns are supernatural beings in Islamic mythology that can be good or evil, benevolent or malevolent. They are said to inhabit the unseen realm and have the power to influence human affairs. They are associated with Delhi because according to legend, Delhi was founded by a djinn king named Qutubuddin who ruled over a city of djinns called Qila Rai Pithora. Many people in Delhi believe that djinns still watch over and protect the city from harm.

• Who is Mrs Puri and what role does she play in the book?

• Mrs Puri is the landlady of the guesthouse where Dalrymple stays during his year in Delhi. She is a middle-aged Punjabi woman who has a keen eye for business and gossip. She plays an important role in the book as she provides Dalrymple with insights into Delhi's society, politics, and culture. She also introduces him to some of the eccentric characters who live in her guesthouse, such as Mr Gupta, Mr Vohra, Mr Chatterjee, and Mr Nath.

• What is the curse of Indraprastha and how does it affect Delhi's history?

• The curse of Indraprastha is a legend that says that whoever builds a new city in Delhi will lose his kingdom and his dynasty will end. It is based on the story of Indraprastha, the ancient city built by the Pandavas in the Mahabharata epic. According to the legend, Indraprastha was cursed by Krishna after the Pandavas lost it to their cousins, the Kauravas, in a game of dice. The curse was supposed to last for 36 generations. The legend has been used to explain why many rulers who built new cities in Delhi met with misfortune and downfall, such as Prithviraj Chauhan, Muhammad bin Tughlaq, Shah Jahan, and Bahadur Shah Zafar.

• What are some of the festivals and celebrations that Dalrymple witnesses in Delhi?

• Dalrymple witnesses many festivals and celebrations in Delhi that reflect its diversity and vibrancy. Some of them are: - Holi: The festival of colors that marks the arrival of spring and celebrates love and joy. - Diwali: The festival of lights that commemorates the victory of good over evil and the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya. - Muharram: The month of mourning for the Shia Muslims who commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussain at Karbala. - Basant Panchami: The festival of kites that welcomes the onset of spring and honors the goddess Saraswati. - Phoolwalon Ki Sair: The festival of the flower sellers that celebrates the harmony between Hindus and Muslims in Mehrauli.

• What are some of the haunted places and ghost stories that Dalrymple encounters in Delhi?

• Dalrymple encounters many haunted places and ghost stories in Delhi that add to its mystique and mystery. Some of them are: - Feroz Shah Kotla: The ruins of the 14th-century city built by Feroz Shah Tughlaq that are said to be inhabited by thousands of djinns who grant wishes to the devotees who visit them every Thursday. - Jamali Kamali Mosque: The 16th-century mosque and tomb complex in Mehrauli that is said to be haunted by the spirits of Jamali, a Sufi poet, and Kamali, his mysterious companion. - Agrasen Ki Baoli: The 14th-century stepwell near Connaught Place that is said to have a hypnotic effect on people who stare into its dark waters and lure them to their deaths. - Nicholson's Cemetery: The 19th-century cemetery near Kashmiri Gate that is said to be haunted by the ghost of John Nicholson, a British officer who died during the 1857 revolt and was revered as a god by his Indian followers. - Malcha Mahal: The 14th-century hunting lodge near Chanakyapuri that is said to be haunted by the ghosts of the last descendants of the royal family of Oudh who lived there in isolation and poverty until their deaths.

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