All the royal personalities described here are devout Hindus with the sole exception of the late Muslim Nizam of Hyderabad. The only detail about him disclosed to the reader is his wealth as one of the richest men in the world and his spectacular collection of jewels.
No mention whatever of the Nizam’s considerable attempts to revive Islamic civilization within his realm and his patronage of the late English convert, Marmaduke Pickthall (1875-1936) enabling him to translate and publish the first English version of the meaning of Holy Qur’ān by a Muslim (1930). As scholars and translators, both Maulana Maudoodi and his elder brother, Khair Maudoodi, received the Nizam’s special attention, resulting in Maudoodi’s famous classic, Towards Understanding Islam (Risala-i-Diniyat) (1932).
Furthermore, the Nizam also patronised Maulana Maudoodi’s Urdu monthly, Tarjuman ul Quran during its early years, enabling it to survive its initial financial difficulties.
Much more than its prose are the merits of this book’s magnificent colour photography on the finest quality glazed paper – which, as a luxurious coffee-table edition, is certain to attract affluent Hindu as well as western readers. However, its appeal to the general Muslim reader, even in India is very doubtful.
From Maryam Jameelah's review of the book 'Maharaja: The spectacular heritage of princely India' in Radiance. More Here.
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