Part 2 of This Video: Full Discussion of In An Antique Land by Amitav Ghosh | PostColonial Theory | NET-JRF | by V Rajoria
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In this video, I extensively discuss the fascinating, crucial 1992 book, “In an Antique Land” by Indian writer Amitav Ghosh. Beginning with reflecting on the category of Indian Writing English, I talk about the debate around the genre of this work. Is it a travelogue, a novel, an anthropological research work or, as the back cover of the Penguin edition suggests, a non-fictional text? To answer this, I recourse to the literary theory of British, Marxist critic, Terry Eagleton, and his seminal essay, “What is Literature?”
Later, I delve deeply into the two narratives that run through its intricate and complex plot, and how Ghosh brilliantly juxtaposes them to create a charged and political commentary on the double standards and problems of our “modern” world. It tells two parallel stories. The first is a historical account of a 12th-century Jewish merchant, Abraham Ben Yiju of Tunisian, his Indian slave Bomma, and his wife Ashu. The story revolves around the letters he shared with his friends and associates in the Middle-Eastern Arab world in the 12th century while living for 17 years in the Indian port town of Mangalore.
The second tale is a contemporary narrative of Amitav Ghosh’s experiences in two remote villages, Lataifa and Nashawy, in Egypt while conducting research and uncovering the story of Abraham Ben Yiju’s Indian slave, Bomma or “the Slave of MS H.6.” The book explores themes of post-colonial identity, migration, and cultural exchange, weaving together the past and the present to create a complex narrative. It also delves into the connections between people across time and space. Ghosh's writing in this book is a blend of historical research, personal anecdotes, and imagination, making it a compelling and thought-provoking read.

About the Book- “Amitav Ghosh's remarkable work, 'In an Antique Land,' takes readers on a captivating journey through time and space, seamlessly intertwining the realms of history, anthropology, and personal narrative. This evocative book delves into the intricate tapestry of human connections, transcending borders, and centuries, as it unravels the fascinating story of a 12th-century Jewish merchant and a modern-day historian's quest to unearth his legacy. Through Ghosh's masterful storytelling, readers are transported to a world where the past and the present converge, offering profound insights into the complex interplay of cultures, identities, and the enduring ties that bind us across eras. In an Antique Land Ghosh weaves a rich narrative that explores the interconnectedness of lives, shedding light on the history of trade, migration, and the enduring echoes of the past in the contemporary world."

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0:00 Overview of the Tutorial
2:19 What is Indian Writing in English?
6:46 What is the Genre of this Novel?
18:12 Two Plot lines
19:00 Prologue of the Novel
23:18 Story of Abraham Ben Yiju
29:30 Story of Slave M.S. H.6
34:42 Story of Ashu
36:41 Themes of the Novel-I
37:15 Story of Bomma
38:24 Themes of the Novel-II
41:49 Story Till Now
43:31 Ghosh Comes to Egypt
43:46 Ben Ezra Synagogue
48:14 Cairo Geniza


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