Hyderabad :

“Konjem konjem Telugu vastundi and thoda bahut Hindi bol leta hun,” says Benjamin E Cohen with a boyish grin. An associate professor in history at the University of Utah, Benjamin was on one of his yearly visits to the city. Also a research scholar, he was here to launch his second book, ‘In the Club’.

“People at the book launch said that my books and writings are ‘history, with a twist’. I like that. That is how my work is,” he says, with a wink.

Though it may seem quite natural for a history scholar to explore the history of clubs in a diverse country like India, the idea of dedicating a book that helps understand club culture is unconventional.
Benjamin explains, “I knew there were many old clubs across India and South Asia. I investigated whether or not any scholar had taken up their history – their whole history and not just one individual club. It turns out that there was a gap. I was interested in filling that gap.” He also shares his experience, “when you ask people if they know about the Secunderabad Club, they say yes. But if you ask them to elaborate, nobody will.”

The book takes a look at clubs in India, their role in building an associational life and a civil society in colonial India.

“It also talks about their role when India was transitioning from colonial rule to independence,” he elaborates.

His first book, ‘Kingship and Colonialism in India’s Deccan: 1850-1948’ was a fresh perspective on the relationship between the rulers and the ruled. Using archival material and not hearsay and rumour, Benjamin reconstructed the societal equations without any blinkers.

Benjamin is grateful to his friends and colleagues especially here in the city who have helped him draft the book. His biggest strength is his fluency to read, write and converse in Telugu, Hindi and Urdu. “I studied my languages first as a graduate student at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. Then I had the opportunity to live and work in Hyderabad during my graduation. I took private lessons with both Telugu and Urdu teachers. I tried to keep up with the languages back in the states,” he shares and adds that his interest in the area began when he was a child. As the son of a political scientist who also specialised in South Asian studies, he first came to India in 1977.

“I lived in Vizag, Delhi and Mussourie. We spent a year in Hyderabad. My whole life, I have either come to India or grew up in a home that was steeped in either Indian or South Asian culture,” he recalls. He worked in Chicago for three years after that.

“I was tired of that life,” he admits, “What I really wanted to do was find out more about India and South Asia,” he shares. Ask him what he likes about India and he counter questions, “How can I begin to answer that question?” and adds, “India is both a very old civilisation also a very young democracy. I find that combination fascinating. India has more excitement in one block than America has in 10.”

That is why he enjoys coming to India and is glad to contribute to its rich and diverse history. He also has two interesting projects lined up.

“I am finishing a book on Nawab Mehdi Hasan Fateh Nawaz Jung who was a minister in Hyderabad from 1883 to 93. He came here from Lucknow to work in the Nizam’s government. He had a British wife and they ran into some trouble. It was a scandal and was on the front pages of all the newspapers,” he tells us.

Another is a long history of water in Telangana from the Kakatiya rule. “I am very excited about these projects,” he exclaims.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Rajitha S / June 19th, 2015