Category: African Historical Fiction

I’m delighted to welcome Nitin Nanji and his book, Lalji’s Nairobi, to the blog with an excerpt.

Excerpt 1

The next morning brought an early visitor to their door in the shape of the village Sarpanch, Thakorbhai. The Sarpanch was the elected head of the village and led the Panchayat. His role was to officiate over disputes, collect fines and enforce the law with the help of the police.

Thakorbhai was a large man with short legs and a bull neck. He sported a moustache that was long and curled upwards at the ends, like two cobras poised to strike. When he sat on a chair, he folded his legs under him and they disappeared under his enormous belly. The children of the village were thrown into fits of giggles at this sight as he looked like an overgrown hen sprawled over her eggs. For that reason, he was also known unkindly as ‘Murgiben’ (mother hen).

He invited himself into the yard and sat down on Parshottam’s charpoy. He had come about the story going around that Parshottam’s son was to head out to Africa. He knew Parshottam had been making inquiries about the next meeting of the Panchayat and thought the two matters may well be connected.

“You are right, I was hoping to have the matter considered at the Panchayat,” said Parshottam before calling out for Lalji to join them. Rambai appeared with a tumbler of salted buttermilk for the Sarpanch and joined in the chorus calling for Lalji.

“What does the boy say?” inquired Thakorbhai.

“He hasn’t made up his mind. See, I was thinking with the lack of prospects here after the famines and with the tax situation….”

“You leave the tax situation to me, Parshottam,” bellowed Thakorbhai. “We need to know if the boy is willing to go and take his chances!”

At that instance, both Lalji and Naran appeared. They paid their respects to the Sarpanch by bowing to him and gesturing to touch his feet hidden under his belly.

“So, what’s your decision young man?” he inquired of Lalji. “Are you ready to cross the big ocean and arrive at the opposite shore to start a new life, away from your family?”

Lalji seated himself down in a squatting position and looked straight at the Sarpanch. Without hesitation announced, “Yes, I willl be taking the vaan and see what destiny has in store for me. It is my role as the eldest son.”

“Shabhash (well said), my boy! That’s the right answer.” The cobras parted to reveal pink gums.

“The son of Dhiraj will be accompanying him, so as he is not alone,” interjected Parshottam.

Thakorbhai waved the idea away as being of no consequence. He told Parshottam his son was in a different league from many and he was supportive of the idea. He mentioned others had considered it before but no son of the village had made the journey.

“The reasons are many but the fact is no one has had the strength of character to take the step. If I was twenty years younger, I would have given the same answer as Lalji here,” he said.

Turning to Lalji he asked, “Would you lead a group of three others from here to go with you?”

Lalji was taken aback by the question, having never considered himself as taking on such responsibility. He didn’t feel unable to lead, but he wanted to know whom the Sarpanch had in his mind.

“It would be you as their leader with Nizar the hardware merchant’s son, and Ramji the eldest son of Karsan the builder. Then there’s that idle son of Dhiraj your father has been talking about.”

“But I hardly know them. Will they follow my wishes?” inquired Lalji.

“Leave that to me. I have spoken to Karsan and Noormohammed about that and they have both pledged their sons will do as you say. They have been waiting for such an opportunity for a long time to get their sons to Africa. They are good boys and want to succeed for their families. They need sound advice and guidance from someone who is mature and responsible. None of them are capable of it on their own. They all need to be led by someone sensible and smart.”

“But I am eighteen and I think they are older,” responded Lalji. The words seem to stop the Sarpanch in his tracks momentarily. He retorted dismissively, “Arre! When I was your age, I ran both the shop and farmed the land. And I did the accounts for my elder brothers. Ability trumps age!”

Having gulped the buttermilk in one long action with his head tossed back. Then he got up briskly to leave, adding, “I hear you have an Arab sea master in mind, Parshottam. For my part, I will speak to my contacts in Porbander to find out who they should contact in Africa. I suggest you start putting together enough food and grains for the journey for him.” The two cobras were drowned in buttermilk.

Book Trailer

Here’s the blurb

British Gujarat, 1905.

Despairing of the social injustices and crippling taxes under the British Raj, Lalji, 19, flees to British East Africa hoping to build a better life using his natural business skills and acumen. But he soon finds unexpected dangers in his new home- turbulent politics and war with German East Africa- as well as some surprising opportunities. A combination of luck, coincidence, and his flair for commerce lead to early success.

Then, just as he is at his most vulnerable, a new threat emerges from where he least expects: from within his own family.

Can Lalji beat overwhelming odds to fulfill his hopes and ambitions?

A story about survival, faith, ability, humanity, and a deep desire to succeed.

Buy Link

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The ebook will be free to download on Kindle from February 4th – 8th

This title is available to read on #KindleUnlimited

Meet the Author

Historical novelist of Indian parentage, born and raised in Kenya, educated in England, writing about India and East Africa under the British Empire.

Nitin has come to writing his debut novel after retiring as a doctor. Born in Kenya before its independence he came to England at the age of fifteen. His parentage is Indian, his grandfather having moved during the British Raj from Gujarat in India to Colonial East Africa as an economic migrant.

‘Lalji’s Nairobi’ is set in the early part of the last century, inspired by the stories of Indian migrants who settled in East Africa. A ‘rags to riches’ story of the experiences of Lalji as a determined young businessman who grapples with the challenges of living in the new colony.

Within the backdrop of a racist administration, Nitin immerses the reader into the times and norms of colonial society and shows how Lalji achieves rapid success despite difficult odds, leading a team of four compatriots from his village.

The novel is well-researched and retains the undertones of the era. Nitin’s intimate knowledge of the three cultures of the colony (British, Indian, and African) succeeds in making this an enjoyable and authentic read.

‘Lalji’s Nairobi’ is now an award-winning novel that recently won acclaim from the prestigious New Generation Indie Book Awards as a ‘Finalist’. It also earned Five Stars and the ‘Highly Recommended’ award of excellence from The Historical Fiction Company, which has recently also awarded the book with a silver medal in the Blixen Africa Category.

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