Question

Draw the character sketch of Abhay in The Princes.

Answer 1

Introduction

In the previous chapter a study of the motif of moral

degeneration in Combat of Shadows was made. The present

chapter attempts to evaluate how an Indian prtncely state

called Begwad collapsed under the impact of growing

nationalism and how the state was annexed to the Indian

Union. The age-old princely tradition also comes to an end

and it ultimately forms the motif of Malgonkar's third novel

The Princes (1963). The motif of princely tradition is

operative in the novel in the following aspects: a) Prince

Abhayraj s mental conflict, b Monarchy versus

modernisation, c) Abhayraj's shallow liberal ideas and d)

The growth of Indian nationalism.

Prince Abhayraj, the hero of this novel, is the

narrator and so the novel is autobiographical in structure.

Abhayraj finds it difficult to sever himself from the

heritage of royal life, because it has the lure of wealth,

pomp, pageantry and ceremonials. Malgonker presents Abhayraj

as a plausible representative of the princely tribe and

tradition. The novel portrays the disintegration of the

State of Begwad which covers the crucial period between 1983

and 1949 in Indian History.

The motif of princely tradition which underlies the

novel creates several conflicts in the life of prince

Abhayraj. These conflicts in his life arise from the clash

of values and loyalties. However, the values that Malgonker

wants to present are not lost in the conflicts. Professor

G.S.Amur9s observation in this connection is quite

significant: "There is no confusion of values in The

_- Princes.