Coming Round The Mountain - In the year of Independence
by Ruskin Bond and illustrated by Mihir Joglekar
“Coming Round the Mountain - In the year of Independence” by Ruskin Bond and illustrated by Mihir Joglekar. Published by Penguin. The third book from Ruskin Bond’s memoirs for children which talks about the memorable year of 1947 during which a lot happened to thirteen year old Ruskin as well as the people around him.
Ruskin Bond continued studying in Bishop Cotton boarding school in Shimla after his father’s death. Everything there was like the British Public School including things like canings, compulsory games, grace before meals, teachers in academic gowns and short haircuts. The boisterous set of boys naturally did not enjoy it. They felt it was not natural to be woken up at the unearthly early hour of 6.30 a.m. for morning P.T of all things as though they belonged to the army!
Ruskin was about to turn 13 that year. His best friends were Azhar Khan, Brian Adams and Cyrus Satralkar. They called themselves the ‘Fearsome Four’ though there wasn’t anything fierce about them according to him ;) The fearsome four were always getting into some sort of trouble or the other. Nothing very serious though. It was all part of boyhood. Ruskin turned out to be a good goalkeeper in hockey.
The year was 1947 and it was a turbulent time in Indian history. While we know that India got independence, how was it like for a schoolboy at that point of time. What difference did it make in the lives of children then? Well we get a glimpse of how Ruskin and his friends were affected by the occasion and also the turbulent times caused by the unfortunate partition of the country. Things such as how he lost his best friend to this unexpected turn of events and how there was uncertainty all around. How many of them from his friends and teachers would leave India? What would happen to the school? Would English schools be shut down in India as per rumours? Read the engrossing book to find out.
My eight year old loved reading the book with me. He was moved by the turn of events and how it caused irreversible changes in the lives of people around Ruskin. He thoroughly enjoyed the mischievous adventures or rather misadventures that the boys got into. This was the first time he was getting such a detailed glimpse of life in a boarding school. He was happy to see Ruskin facing all the changes in his life with a hopeful mind. It was heartening to know that his love for reading books and penning down his thoughts remained constant amidst all that was going on around him. The illustrations are charming and complement the narrative so well.
Recommended Age
The book is apt for anyone aged 8/9+.
Reasons to Read
The book is a wonderful memoir of one of India’s most loved writers!
The book presents a wonderful perspective of how children in Ruskin’s boarding school were affected by India gaining independence and the partition of the country prior to that.
Where to buy from?
An independent bookstore, Funky Rainbow, from where I buy many of my books.