E. M. Forster, The Hill of Devi

Peter Childs (Birmingham Newman University)

The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 1.2.1.08: English Writing and Culture of the early Twentieth Century , 1900-1945.
Vol. editors: Chris Baldick (Goldsmiths College, University of London), Peter Childs (Birmingham Newman University), Louise McDonald (Birmingham Newman University), Andrew Radford (University of Glasgow)

Dates

First circulation or publication 1951

Places

England (Country of Origin)

Genres and Modes

Non-Fiction
- Guidebooks / Travel writing

Resources

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Published in 1953,

The Hill of Devi

is Forster's account of the visits he made to the small princely state of Dewas Senior in 1912-13 and, more importantly, 1921. It is composed primarily of letters sent home but is supplemented by later commentary. On his first visit out, Forster went as a guest but on his second he served as private secretary to the Maharajah, for which on his departure he was awarded the highest honour of the state, the reigning Prince's Tukoji Rao III Gold Medal. The book is principally concerned with the day-to-day activities of the court, the way in which the state was ruled and administered. Never that sure what he was doing, Forster likened it to a Gilbert and Sullivan opera.

Devi, Residence of the Goddess, is the sacred mountain that looms over the capital

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349 words

Citation: Childs, Peter. "The Hill of Devi". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 08 January 2001 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=620, accessed 29 April 2024.]

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