A Forgotten Ambassador in Cairo-N.S. Vinodh

Book: A Forgotten Ambassador in Cairo (The Life and Times of Syud Hossain)
Author: N.S. Vinodh
Publisher: Simon & Schuster India

What is the one book that you find interesting about the Indian Independence movement?

A Forgotten Ambassador in Cairo by N.S. Vinodh is the account of the life of a significant person in the Indian Independence Movement, Syud Hossain. Buried amongst the tombs in the City of the Dead in Cairo, little is known of the man who was a contemporary of Gandhi and Nehru. The book explores his journey from erstwhile Calcutta to Allahabad, London to USA and finally culminating in Cairo. The book is an illuminating narrative of the life of a man who was a part of history, yet relegated to sands of time. Exploring the journey of Hossain, we also see the pages of history from a fresh perspective. Tracing his life’s journey, the story is not just of Syud, but also the events that made him the person he was, and the role he played in the Indian Independence movement.

The book has been written in an interesting manner that chronicles the journey of an enigmatic person who influenced various events in the history of the Indian Independence movement. A detailed account of Syud Hossain and his contemporaries, the book also traces some crucial moments of the movement as they unfolded. While the book focusses on Syud Hossain, and his activities in India and abroad as a speaker, editor and writer, the book equally draws attention to other important people of the time such as Sarojini Naidu and Vijayalakshmi Pandit. The author has gone to great lengths to research and chronicle the life and times of Syud as is evident from copies of letters and photographs, some of them truly enlightening. The book is also an interesting account on the fact that it does not present a single viewpoint, rather than situations as they affected Syud, and sometimes how Syud affected the situations. I loved the manner in which the book has been written, while following chronology, as well as focusing on events, rather than making it just about the person. Vinodh’s account of the burial place of Syud Hossain which starts the book is quite moving, and makes one realise that sometimes history can be cruel to the people who make it.

As a reader, I loved the way the author used the significant historical events to reinforce Syud’s story he was trying to narrate. Touching upon the history of the US immigration laws, impact of WW1 and WW2, and how different leaders thought about the issues of the time, it is a collection of some very extensive research. While a voluminous book, it is a story that deserves to be savored and read slowly as there are facts that need to be understood to take in the point the author is trying to make.

A wonderful account of the independence era, it is a definite recommendation for anyone looking for a book based on the times, specially focusing on activities outside India. The book scores a 4.13/5 for me.

Grab a copy of the book here.