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... Whatever one thinks of Kipling's political views ~ his literary genius is beyond dispute... His works are also of value to the historian. 'Departmental Ditties' is essential reading for anybody who wishes to better understand the mind and mannerisms of the Indian Civil Service circa 1890 ... I am lucky enough to own an old copy (a ninth edition, which serves to illustrate its popularity) which bares the following hand written inscription on its first page: " To Neville ~ from Alan ~ after 15 months of very pleasant work together. Calcutta, 21st July 1898" Who these two gentlemen were, and the nature of the work on which they collaborated will, alas, forever remain a mystery ! Here is a link to the 'Kipling Society' website ~ which was established many years ago, to promote further awareness of his career and of his work: http://www.kipling.org.uk/soc_fra.htm

Thanks so much for sharing

His' political views' also become clearer in the Ditties and there is an enormous amount of understanding and sympathy for the Indian peasant.

Saat khoon maaf. He gave us Kim.

Yes, you are quite right Mr Bhasin ~ Kipling was steeped in the lore and customs of Indian society, and his love of the country (the country of his birth it should never be forgotten !) and its people, high and low, comes across clearly in much of his writing... Personally, I most enjoy his satirical sense of humour, that I think is shown at its best effect in the 'Dittie' below ~ which pokes fun at a fictional 'Princely State' and the notions of 'progress' within it: ~ A Legend of the Foreign Office (1897) ~ Rustum Beg of Kolazai ~slightly backward Native State ~ Lusted for a C. S. I. ~ so began to sanitate, Built a Gaol and Hospital ~ nearly built a City drain ~ Till his faithful subjects thought their ruler quite insane. Strange departments made he then ~ yea, Departments stranger still, Half a dozen Englishmen helped the Rajah with a will, Talked of noble aims and high, hinted of a future fine For the State of Kolazai in strictly Western line. Rajah Rustum held his peace; lowered octroi dues a half; Organized a State Police; purified the Civil Staff; Settled cess and tax afresh in a very liberal way; Cut temptations of the flesh ~ also cut the Bukshi's pay; Roused his Secretariat to a fine Mahratta fury, By a Hookum hinting at supervision of dasturi; Turned the state of Kolazai very nearly upside down; When the end of May was nigh waited his achievement crown. Then the Birthday Honours came. Sad to state and sad to see, Stood against the Rajah's name nothing more than C. I. E. !!! Things were lively for a week in the State of Kolazai, Even now the people speak of that time regret- fully. How he disendowed the Gaol ~ stopped at once the City drain; Turned to beauty fair and frail ~ got his senses back again; Doubled taxes, cesses, all; cleared away each new-built thana; Turned the two-lakh Hospital into a superb Zenana ! Heaped upon the Bukshi Sahib wealth and honours manifold; Clad himself in Eastern garb ~ squeezed his people as of old. Happy, Happy Kolazai ! Never will Rustum Beg Play to catch the Viceroy's eye. He prefers the "simpkin" peg.

And considering that his old house in Simla, 'Northbank' is no more than a hundred yards from where I sit