Russia and India are long-standing and good friends. In the long-term history of bilateral relations, not a single episode has been recorded that has overshadowed them. And this largely determines the inexhaustible interest of Russians in a deeper acquaintance with the rich culture of India, with the life of its peoples.

India is a country of ancient civilization, a treasure trove of amazing culture and art. The Indians were the first to learn how to grow cotton and sugar cane, gave the world chess and the decimal system of calculation. Outstanding philosophers, scientists, artists, and politicians of an international scale lived and worked on its land. The culture of India attracted the attention of many Russian scientists, writers and poets. So, under the impression of getting acquainted with the great Indian epic "Ramayana", A. S. Pushkin created one of his wonderful works - the poem "Ruslan and Lyudmila".

About all this in a fascinating essay genre tells the book published by the scientist-indologist Valery Kashin "Elephant for Maharaja". (Moscow, publishing house "IKAR", 2004, 172 p.).

Memorable events are considered in the publication in interaction with the destinies of specific people - creators of the country's history. The reader will learn a lot of new and interesting things about the life and activities of prominent political figures in India. Thus, the essay on the life of Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948), an outstanding fighter for Indian independence, tells not only about the political campaigns initiated by him against the colonialists - nonviolent political struggle ("Satyagraha"), the "Get Out of India!" campaign, his efforts to put an end to the Hindu-Muslim conflicts, but also about unknown or little-known features of the character and lifestyle of this extraordinary political figure and person. For example, that M. Gandhi and his future wife Kasturbai (1869 - 1944) were betrothed at the age of 7, and at the age of 13 they became husband and wife. The author paints their life together with stingy brushstrokes, which was often complicated by serious conflicts. Kasturbai died in the arms of her husband on February 22, 1944. In memory of her, on February 22, India celebrates Mother's Day.

Interesting facts from the life of M. Gandhi: at the age of 37 (he was then married for 23 years and had four children), he took the vow of "brahmachari", according to which a person renounces sensual pleasures and undertakes to lead a chaste lifestyle; M. Gandhi sometimes linked internal conflicts in the country and his own political failures with sudden tides of erotic desire.

An essay on the life and work of another major politician, Vallabhbhai Patel (1875-1950), one of the founders of the foundation of post - colonial India, is also of interest. Patel, who was often called the "Indian Bismarck" for his firmness of character and unyielding will, was forced to step into the shadow of the younger and more successful politician J. R. R. Tolkien. Nehru. The reader will learn about Patel's political views and his differences with Gandhi and Nehru by reading the book by V. Kashin.

The author's creative pen introduces the reader to amazing works of Indian architecture and architecture - the Khajuraho and Konaraka temples, whose sculptural compositions depict love scenes; the palaces of Hyderabad (one of them has the world's longest banquet hall); the Palace of Winds in Jaipur with 953 windows on the facade and other attractions.

Together with the author, the reader makes a fascinating journey through India-visits the sacred river Ganges (Ganga) and the city of Varanasi (Benares) located on its banks with 1,500 temples - a place of pilgrimage for Indians; they perform a ritual of ablution, meditation, and yoga exercises there.

A separate chapter of the book" Indian Mosaic " tells about the traditions, customs, customs, beliefs of Indians. For example, that India has the largest number of cattle in the world (about 220 million cows and 92 million buffaloes) and that the cow is a sacred animal (many Indians are vegetarians); that in India in recent years there have been cases of" sati " - self-immolation of widows, despite the law passed by parliament prohibition law; that many Indians are snake charmers (this profession brings them a certain income); that in India the world's largest tree grows-banyan (Andhra Pradesh), its crown covers an area of 2.1 hectares, the tree is 600 years old, and at night the giant is guarded by a police patrol; that the richest Hindu temple - Venkateshmary in Tirumali-Tirupati is located in the state of Andhra Pradesh, in its treasury there are over 10 tons of donated gold products decorated with precious stones; that in Hindu temples there is still the so-called institute of "devadasi", i.e. "God's slaves" (translated from Sanskrit). Currently, the custom of "devadasi" is banned in most regions, but in some temples of Southern India it has not yet become obsolete.

Color and black-and-white illustrations made at a high printing level, interesting facts collected by the author in cognitive terms, light and elegant language-all this ensures reading the book "in one breath". I would like to wish that the indologist V. Kashin will continue to delight readers with new literary successes.

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