THE WHITE RAJAH OF SARAWAK - savage creed of the headhunters of Borneo + secret abominable technologies spawns an Empire of Tyranny
SCIENCE-FICTION NOVEL BRAINSTORMING
DUE TO BANDWIDTH CONSTRAINTS THE TEXT OF THE NOVEL HAS NOW BEEN ENTIRELY REMOVED !!
ONLY SOME OF THE PHOTOS REMAIN !!
THE JEWEL IN THE CROWN SHINES BRIGHTER THAN EVER
LATEST NEWS!! The painstaking renovations to the Taj Falaknuma are complete and the Palace (whose name translates as "Star of Heaven") will throw open its doors in February 2010!
** TO READ RARE INTERVIEWS WITH HIS EXALTED HIGHNESS THE EIGHTH NIZAM OF HYDERABAD PLEASE VISIT:-
>>> http://cvxmelody.50webs.com <<<
** TO READ RARE INTERVIEWS WITH HIS EXALTED HIGHNESS THE EIGHTH NIZAM OF HYDERABAD (PRINCE MUKARRAM JAH) PLEASE VISIT:-
>>> http://cvxmelody.50webs.com <<<
Chowmahalla Palace exhibit (above) - thrown open to the public in the past few years, Chowmahalla Palace is now one of Hyderabad's foremost cultural and historic attractions
With the restoration of the Falaknuma Palace now also completed, the 8th Nizam's mission of restoring these imperial heirlooms to their former splendour is accomplished
Born 6 October 1933 in Nice, in France, Prince Mukarram Jah (the future 8th Nizam of Hyderabad) was the heir to possibly the world's biggest private fortune. The scion of two great dynasties, his maternal grandfather was the last Ottoman Caliph ('Abdu'l-Mijid II) and his paternal grandfather the 7th Nizam of Hyderabad (Osman Ali Khan), widely considered the richest man in the world during his lifetime, amassing a fortune worth a staggering US$210 billion in today's money ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wealthy_historical_figures_2008 ). For centuries, the Nizams of Hyderabad had ruled over an area the size of France in southern India, initially governing on behalf of the Mughal Empire but later becoming independent rulers. Eventually, they became closely allied to the British, and were accorded the status of premier princely state in all of India.
Nizam VIII after his lavish coronation at Chowmahalla Palace in Hyderabad in 1967 (above). Chowmahalla Palace today, after loving and faithful restorations (below).
After Indian Independence in 1947, the Nizam refused to join the Indian Union. But his forces were no match for the Indian Army which invaded Hyderabad state in 1948, forcibly annexing the territory in an operation dubbed "Operation Polo". The kingdom of the Nizams was no more, but the 7th Nizam was nevertheless allowed to keep most of his assets, including his palaces, servants, and private fortune.
Prince Mukarram Jah was crowned the 8th Nizam of Hyderabad in 1967 following the death of Osman Ali Khan. He soon found himself the target of literally hundreds of lawsuits as descendants of the 7th Nizam (who had fathered at least 200 illegitimate children, by over 80 mistresses!) vied for a share of Osman Ali Khan's enormous fortune. The 8th Nizam's life was constantly in danger from assassins. In the 1970's when the Indian Government abolished princely titles, privileges and privy purses, the 8th Nizam took the momentous decision to settle in Australia, to carve out the life of a "gentleman farmer".
The Statesman (Indian newspaper) - September 1970 cover stories on the abolition of princely privileges - "Lok Sabha Votes Privy Purses Bill - Concept of Rulership Abolished" & "Princely Era Fades into History - President Withdraws Recognition - Immediate Abolition of Purses, Privileges"
The 8th Nizam of Hyderabad's love affair with Australia began in 1972 when he visited the city of Perth in Western Australia for the very first time, and was attracted by the peace and quiet, the people, and the open spaces. A short while later, he purchased a half-million-acre sheep farm near the town of Kalbarri known as Murchison House Station (600km north of Perth). He met and married an Australian woman (Helen Simmons), who bore him two sons. In 1978 he acquired a luxury mansion in West Perth (known as Havelock House). Helen Simmons sadly passed away in 1989. In March 1996, due to escalating disagreements with his creditors, the 8th Nizam clandestinely slipped out of Perth aboard a plane, never to set foot in Australia again. His sheep farm and Havelock House were sold off. The 8th Nizam or "Prince Jah" now lives unpretentiously in Turkey, preferring the "simple life" of the common man. His periodic visits to Hyderabad are eagerly anticipated by his innumerable loyal subjects. He and first wife Princess Esra are universally admired for spearheading the comprehensive and costly restorations to the historic palaces of Chowmahalla and Falaknuma, preserving for future generations these glorious heirlooms of the Nizams of Hyderabad. In recognition of these efforts, Chowmahalla Palace was awarded the prestigious UNESCO Heritage Conservation Award in September 2010, edging out tough competition.
The New York Times newspaper (August 17, 1967) - "Ex-Employees of Nizam in India Protest Economy-Drive Ouster"
Whilst living in Australia, the 8th Nizam of Hyderabad granted interviews to a number of newspapers, which make for interesting reading and may be downloaded as PDF at the following link:-
His Highness Rajah Vyner of Sarawak (Charles Vyner de Windt Brooke)
Headhunter dressed up for death-dance & skulls kept as trophies
The Brooke clan in an earlier era
Authentic signature of Charles Brooke (2nd White Rajah) from 1876
Rajah Vyner Brooke 1927 Sarawak coin
Rajah Vyner Brooke Sarawak postage stamp
Sketch map of Sarawak
Prince Charles arrives at St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh (New Year's Eve 1999) [personal photo]
December 1946 newspaper report - Churchill To Move Censure Vote Over Sarawak
Anthony Brooke should have become the 4th White Rajah of Sarawak had it not been for his uncle Charles Vyner Brooke (the 3rd White Rajah), who disinherited him. (Anthony Brooke passed away in New Zealand in March 2011 at the age of 98)
"Sarawak is not British and it would be an anachronism if it were reduced from the status of a sovereign independent State to a Crown colony," declared Anthony Brooke, Rajah Mudah (Crown Prince) of Sarawak (January 1946 newspaper report)
May 1949 newspaper report
Above: Photo of me with New York City in the distance (September 8, 1999)
Below: My ticket to the observation deck of the World Trade Center (September 5, 1999)
Below: Photos of the World Trade Center at ground level (open plaza with the "Sphere") and photos taken from the Observation Deck (September 5, 1999)
Below: Inside the World Trade Center - this scale model of the Manhattan skyline was an actual exhibit situated on the Observation Deck level (September 5, 1999)
Below: More views of the World Trade Center - from Ellis Island, World Financial Center, Brooklyn, and Statue of Liberty Ferry (September 8, 1999)
Churchill denigrated as "mischievous" in Indian newspaper
Nehru takes control of India
Katrina Leung with Chinese President Jiang Zemin [photo from wikipedia]
Pope John Paul II makes public appearance in St Peters Square in the Vatican (June 1998) [personal photo]
Queen Victoria was unwilling to recognize the Rajah of Sarawak (the above firsthand account is by a member of the Brooke dynasty in the 19th Century)
The Barclay TWINS' mansion (or "palace"), Brecqhou (in the Channel Islands)
A souvenir from Guernsey in the Channel Islands...
The White Rajah escaped to Australia when the Japanese invaded Sarawak (January 1942 newspaper report)
Prime Minister Harold Holt with US President Lyndon B. Johnson at the White House (Johnson later attended Holt's funeral in Australia)
Newsflash - Mr Holt Vanishes in Sea
Above: "George VI King Emperor" 1947 Indian coin [from personal collection]
Below: Rare 1879 Indian coin with portrait of Queen Victoria [from personal collection]
The last Viceroy of India, Lord Louis Mountbatten, riding an open carriage in India, 1947
Mountbatten's wife, Edwina, mysteriously died during a visit to Borneo. These photos show the casket with her remains being dropped into the sea.
Mountbatten, a great-grandson of Queen Victoria, and uncle of Prince Philip, shown here with Queen Elizabeth II. He was born as His Serene Highness Prince Louis of Battenberg, but German styles and titles were dropped in 1917.
Mountbatten's small sailing boat in Ireland, aboard which a bomb was detonated, killing him and several others. The bomb was planted on August 27, 1979
Televised funeral of Mountbatten in London, with full military honours
On 23 November 1979, THOMAS McMahon was convicted of murder for his part in the bombing
The Duke of Windsor writes of his train derailing in Western Australia - "Our carriage and the one just ahead toppled over on their sides and slid down the embankment with a terrifying clatter...."
On 30th May 2009, the movie "Wallis & Edward" was shown on Australian TV -
Newspaper article from the Argus newspaper (Melbourne), May 31, 1927
"Prix d'Amour" - the palatial mansion which mining magnate Lang Hancock built for his wife Rose and bequeathed to her on his death (it was demolished in 2006 as Rose wanted to downsize - the land alone was worth an estimated $40 million)
Lang and Rose celebrating Lang's birthday, June 10, 1987
Personally autographed copy of "A Rose by Any Other Name" - the autobiography of Rose Hancock. Signed "Rose & Willie" (she married Willie Porteous after Lang's death)
Visit of Crown Prince Naruhito and Princess Masako of Japan to Sydney Children's Hospital (December 17, 2002) [personal photos]
Emperor of Manchukuo (Pu Yi) with Emperor Hirohito of Japan, during 1935 State Visit to Japan
Anne Boleyn
The above passage is from the book "Marriage with my Kingdom - The Courtships of Queen Elizabeth I" by Alison Plowden)
PHOTOS
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Limousine with US President Bill Clinton drives past Bellevue Presidential Palace in Berlin on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Berlin airlift (May 13, 1998) [personal photo]
President Chiang Kai Shek statue in Taipei, Taiwan [personal photo]
State Visit of Chinese President Jiang Zemin to the United Kingdom - Queen Elizabeth II and President Jiang Zemin ride the Australian State Coach to Buckingham Palace (October 19, 1999) [personal photos]
Princess Anne with China's Vice Premier Qian Qichen riding an open coach to Buckingham Palace (October 19, 1999) [personal photo]
Arrival of the Queen at Perth Airport (Australia) (March 30, 2000) [personal photo]
Top: The Queen leaving Government House in Perth
Middle + bottom: The Queen in Kings Park, Perth
(April 1, 2000) [personal photos]
National Day Celebration in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei (February 25, 2002) - The Sultan of Brunei arriving in his Rolls Royce [personal photo]
Palace of the Agong (King) of Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur [personal photos]
"Queen of the Head Hunters", the autobiography of Sylvia Brooke, wife of White Rajah Vyner of Sarawak
Here's a photo of CHAI vegetarian restaurant
Sylvia Brooke writes about Rajah Vyner's death....
On 7th November 2008, I took these photos. The first is a sign that mentions FRENCHMANs Cap. In the second photo you catch a fleeting glimpse of FRENCHMANs Cap (photo taken from moving car on the Lyell Highway). It is the snow-capped peak in the background that you can just make out behind the tallest tree. FRENCHMANS Cap is a mountain in Tasmania.
DEJA VU - driving through Queenstown in Tasmania I snapped this photo of a hair salon called "Deja Vu"
Cyprien Katsaris autographed the above CD for me
On 12th April 2009, I watched a rare video of pianist Grigory Sokolov playing Brahms 2nd Piano Concerto in Helsinki on the 11th November 1987 (Finnish TV broadcast).
Photo of Jay Heifetz Photography taken by me on April 16, 2009 (its owner is the son of the legendary violinist Jascha Heifetz)
Here is Brooks Smith as he appeared in a rare promotional video for the RCA CD box set "Heifetz Collection" -
Heifetz in rehearsal with his accompanist BROOKS SMITH:-
Some views of ZION National Park in Utah, USA from September 30, 1999 [personal photos]
Some close-up views of
The Astana (Palace) in Kuching
[personal photos]
The imposing palace (Astana / Istana) on the north bank of the Sarawak River opposite the Kuching Waterfront, built in 1870 by the White Rajah of Sarawak as a bridal gift to his wife Margaret. It retains its importance as the official residence of the present-day Governor of Sarawak.
[click on any photo to enlarge]
Astana Palace - river frontage
Main gate of the Astana Palace
Astana Palace in the distance with the colourful buildings of Kuching's Chinatown in the foreground
Astana Palace lit up at night
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