“Life is a beautiful gift and we must make sure that when we look back at the days of our lives then we do not have much to regret. We should be able to have a happy memory of our golden old days and stay content in our present too!”
Well, before starting the review of this amazing title, “Rawal Family Of Amka” by Author Mahendra Singh, let me mention that this is the third edition of the book. In this book, the author has made a brilliant effort to mention all the members, who had been the part of his family line. The author highlights the members of his family, his roots of origins; also, he recollects the memories of his family and his native place. This is truly an incredible read and the readers are bound to love the author’s journey. The author has dedicated this book to his parents, ancestors, and the Rawal Family of Amka falling under the district of Gautam Budh Nagar in the state of Uttar Pradesh.
About the Authors: Author Mahendra Singh, was born on 14th of August 1940 in village Amka, now in Gautam Budh Nagar, Uttar Pradesh. His early education was in Delhi. After graduating from Delhi University, he did his Post Graduate Diploma in Personnel Management from Faculty of Management Studies, Delhi University. He also completed a course in Management of Agricultural Cooperatives from Cooperative College, Loughborough UK. Shri Mahendra Singh retired from the post of Managing Director of National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED).
Author Mahendra also worked as the Managing Director of National Cooperative Consumers Federation of India for about two years on deputation from NAFED. Shri Mahendra Singh has written Personnel Manuals of some national level apex organisations. In 2003, as Country Consultant of International Cooperative Alliance, he conducted a Critical Study of Agricultural Cooperatives and Informal Cooperative Farmers Movement in India. The ICA has published it in a book form. The recommendations of the study was discussed in their Colombo meeting. Name of Shri Mahendra Singh was also mentioned in INFA Publications’ of India’s Who’s Is Who Book 1991-92.
This book of Shri Mahendra Singh describes the Rawal Family of Amka. Great great grandfather of Shri Mahendra Singh established this village Amka in the year 1818. On the occasion, of completion of two hundred years of the village, the book is written to pay tribute to his parents and also to all other ancestors of the family.
Book’s Introduction: This book, “Rawal Family Of Amka” by Author Mahendra Singh, has been written to pay tribute to his parents and his ancestors on completion of two hundred years of his village Amka, which was established by one of the author’s ancestors – Thakur Mohar Singh, seven generation ago in 1818. The book is the description of family members of all seven generations. Each family member has been identified and his or her photographs are included in the book present very much generation wise in the section “Seven Generations”. Out of 146 total members, dead or alive in the author’s family, the photographs of 125 persons have been included in this book. Some photos are not there because the technique of photography was not in vogue at that time or because some members are not traceable!
Well, for this achievement, the name of this book has been mentioned in India Book of Records. Some of the members of the author’s family who have excelled in life and brought name, fame and glory to his family have been have been included together with details of their achievements under the section “Jewels of the Family”. The author’s ancestors constructed three storey pucca buildings during the 18th Century. Some of these buildings are called Havelies and they are still standing strong. Their photographs and a small description about them has been given under the head “Havelis of Amka”.
In this book, the history of the author’s family has been traced since 1526 until date. Every direct descendant has been named from 1526 to 1818. There after members of the family have been described in the book from 1818 to date. The family tree of each branch of the family has also been included at the appropriate place. It was not possible to construct single family tree. Therefore, it has been split according to various branches of the family!
Readers Connect: Through this book, Author Mahendra Singh has attempted to present as many members of his family as possible in order to pay a tribute to them. The aim behind creating a book like this is very beautiful and it encourages the readers of the modern generations to pay tributes to their ancestors in the similar manner as well. Even though, the book seems to be a private affair of the family members of the authors, still it covers a lot for the general readers as well. From the mentioning of the history of the author’s native village, Amka to even the mentioning of Lord Krishna and the various sects of the Rajputs are things, which are related to our history and those things can be taken up by anyone for a better and deep knowledge of those subject matters.
Verdict: A book like “Rawal Family Of Amka” is for sure a Must Read one& deserves a chance by the readers. The way author had intended to pay tribute to his parents and to his ancestors is truly praise worthy. The book is written for the benefit of posterity. The coming generations of the author’s family will feel proud of the achievements of their ancestors. It will also be a source of inspiration for them. The author hopes that the book will inspire many other such prominent families to dig out their past and reveal valuable heritage for the sake of posterity!
Shri Mahendra Singhis a promising Author, who is very honest with his thoughts, which the readers can feel through his spectacular writings. In addition, his hard work makes this book even more reading worthy.
Book Link: https://www.amazon.in/dp/9354466710/
