Author: ed. Singh Khushwant
Place: India
Publisher: Penguin Books
Year: 2001
Pages: 286
ISBN: 0-67-091235-2
Source: Donated by Darryl D’Monte Family
Subject: Bombay/ Mumbai
Sub-Subject: History
Keyword: Historical Narratives, Transformation, Cultural Heritage, Monuments, Urban Evolution
Shelf: C9R2
Accession No: B1559
Contents: Acknowledgements Introduction The Building of the Hall The Court of Muhammad Bin Tughlaq Conquest of Delhi The Building of Shahjahanabad The Untouchables In the Times of Aurangzeb The Early Days of the British The Governor-General’s Visit There Once Was a Fair City The Capture of the King Unconquered Still The Building of New Delhi Ballimaran and the War Fund, 1942 Delhi, 1947 From the Balcony Bhabiji’s House A World of Wards Mrs Gupta Never Rang Delhi During Emergency Now the Tears Have Dried Up Delhi by Season I Never Knew His Name Lodi Garden Dilli ka Dastarkhwan From Delhi Time Present and Time Past Lodi Colony Lovers They Are Everywhere The Kingdom of Waste Sujan Singh Park Bitch City Without Natives In the Company of Hijras Shahjahanabad: The City that Once Was Public Relief One Long Party City of Walls City of Gates
Abstract: *City Improbable: An Anthology of Writing on Delhi* explores the complex history and culture of India’s capital, from its imperial past under rulers like Muhammad Bin Tughlaq and Shah Jahan to the British colonial era and the rise of New Delhi. The anthology also reflects on the socio-political changes of the 20th century, including the lives of marginalized communities, the Emergency period, and everyday struggles. Through diverse essays and stories, it portrays Delhi as a city of contrasts—where grandeur meets decay, and history intertwines with modernity, offering a deep reflection on the city’s ever-evolving identity.