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Ghost Stories From The Raj
Ruskin Bond's readers range from nine to ninety. And if there are such things as ghosts there are probably a few who are reading him in the spirit world!
188 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
About the author
Ruskin Bond
628 books3,340 followersRuskin Bond is an Indian author of British descent. He is considered to be an icon among Indian writers and children's authors and a top novelist. He wrote his first novel, The Room on the Roof, when he was seventeen which won John Llewellyn Rhys Memorial Prize in 1957. Since then he has written several novellas, over 500 short stories, as well as various essays and poems, all of which have established him as one of the best-loved and most admired chroniclers of contemporary India. In 1992 he received the Sahitya Akademi award for English writing, for his short stories collection, "Our Trees Still Grow in Dehra", by the Sahitya Akademi, India's National Academy of Letters in India. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1999 for contributions to children's literature. He now lives with his adopted family in Landour near Mussoorie.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
May 26, 2017
Horror? These are horrible stories.
Not sure why Mr Bond picked these. Not sure why I picked this, in spite of knowing these stories are only edited into this book by Bond.
The condescending tone towards India in a few stories irked me.
Not sure why Mr Bond picked these. Not sure why I picked this, in spite of knowing these stories are only edited into this book by Bond.
The condescending tone towards India in a few stories irked me.
May 6, 2023
A collection of short stories, compiled and edited by Ruskin Bond, but featuring stories from a range of British authors, and all set during the British Raj (some, technically, pre-Raj, but when the British were already making inroads into India). There are stories here from literary heayweights such as Kipling, Alice Perrin and CA Kincaid, along with others who weren't really known for their literary prowess, but were famous nevertheless - William Sleeman, for example.
The first three or four stories were a little tedious (the very first one especially, which - besides in rather archaic English that I didn't take to - was also somewhat pointless), but the rest were thoroughly entertaining. A good read, even if not especially frightening. Plus, of course, they offer an interesting into the British in India, into race relations and how the British perceived Indians.
The first three or four stories were a little tedious (the very first one especially, which - besides in rather archaic English that I didn't take to - was also somewhat pointless), but the rest were thoroughly entertaining. A good read, even if not especially frightening. Plus, of course, they offer an interesting into the British in India, into race relations and how the British perceived Indians.
March 13, 2013
The most prominent feeling i got after reading this book was 'No wonder the British ruled over us Indians for centuries!' Though I had never heard of the 'Men-Tigers' or the 'Panther People' and which sounded far-fetched, the other concepts are still rampant in our society.
There still are ghosts, haunted villages (there's a whole building in Mumbai which hasn't been occupied because its considered to be haunted), spirits of ancient village-heads protecting village/town limits (the townspeople of Shani Shingnapur, which is famous for its Shanidev temple, dont put locks on their doors because they believe that anyone stealing anything cannot cross the town limits - very recently I'd heard that one thief tried to steal something and flee, but though he was running, he couldnt reach/cross the tree at the town limit, it was as if he was running but wasnt covering any distance!) Munjia concept also used to be well-known, however, I haven't heard of it in recent times. And I'm not sharing these instances from reading books about it, I'm sharing these experiences of my talks with poor/uneducated people who I come in contact with. Also, just because I'm sharing these thoughts doesnt mean that I dont believe in such concepts. Though I dont want to believe, but I want to keep away from such places nonetheless (just in case they're true).
The author only forgot to include a story about black magic. A friend of mine who is well educated, and pretty well to do, recently suffered from very bad luck and everyone in her family started falling sick with long term effects (she suffered from slip-disk and got a neck belt as well, her son broke a leg, her daughter got pushed into depression, her mother became gravely ill, etc). Then she found out that there was a hex-bag with some bones, graveyard dirt and whatnot stuffed in her house. Someone had tried to harm them on purpose! And this incident is only 3 years old!!
Now I dont know how this could happen, scientifically, but I know for sure that the grass that Pundits use all across the country to sprinkle holy water on the people present, is a very good conductor of electricity. I also know that 'Om' is the single sound that creates the highest vibrations, and that our brain does get affected by vibrations and electromagnetic field.
So overall, this book set me thinking and questioning the beliefs.
There still are ghosts, haunted villages (there's a whole building in Mumbai which hasn't been occupied because its considered to be haunted), spirits of ancient village-heads protecting village/town limits (the townspeople of Shani Shingnapur, which is famous for its Shanidev temple, dont put locks on their doors because they believe that anyone stealing anything cannot cross the town limits - very recently I'd heard that one thief tried to steal something and flee, but though he was running, he couldnt reach/cross the tree at the town limit, it was as if he was running but wasnt covering any distance!) Munjia concept also used to be well-known, however, I haven't heard of it in recent times. And I'm not sharing these instances from reading books about it, I'm sharing these experiences of my talks with poor/uneducated people who I come in contact with. Also, just because I'm sharing these thoughts doesnt mean that I dont believe in such concepts. Though I dont want to believe, but I want to keep away from such places nonetheless (just in case they're true).
The author only forgot to include a story about black magic. A friend of mine who is well educated, and pretty well to do, recently suffered from very bad luck and everyone in her family started falling sick with long term effects (she suffered from slip-disk and got a neck belt as well, her son broke a leg, her daughter got pushed into depression, her mother became gravely ill, etc). Then she found out that there was a hex-bag with some bones, graveyard dirt and whatnot stuffed in her house. Someone had tried to harm them on purpose! And this incident is only 3 years old!!
Now I dont know how this could happen, scientifically, but I know for sure that the grass that Pundits use all across the country to sprinkle holy water on the people present, is a very good conductor of electricity. I also know that 'Om' is the single sound that creates the highest vibrations, and that our brain does get affected by vibrations and electromagnetic field.
So overall, this book set me thinking and questioning the beliefs.
November 29, 2023
Ghost Stories From The Raj by Ruskin Bond offers a captivating journey into the world of supernatural encounters during the British colonial period. Unlike traditional frightening stories, this collection is refreshingly devoid of terror, allowing readers to explore the realms of ghosts and evil spirits without overwhelming fear. Through a compilation of nineteen short stories, Bond skillfully brings to life the rich tapestry of ghostly tales that have been passed down through generations.
The narratives within the book offer a diverse range of experiences, ranging from believable and humorous accounts to those that push the boundaries of imagination. One particularly mesmerizing tale, "The Men Tigers," captivates readers with its blend of intrigue and disbelief as it explores the existence of shape-shifting tigers in the forests of Central India. Bond's ability to portray the perspectives of British soldiers and officers adds an intriguing layer to the narratives, shedding light on their encounters with the supernatural.
One of the notable aspects of Ghost Stories From The Raj is the absence of fright and terror typically associated with ghost stories. Instead, readers are invited to delve into the supernatural realm through the lens of curiosity and fascination. The author's meticulous research and attention to detail are evident, reflecting his extensive travels across India in search of these unique stories.
This book stands as a testament to Ruskin Bond's enduring passion for storytelling and his ability to captivate readers with his engaging narratives. Whether you are a fan of Bond's previous works or simply intrigued by ghost stories set during the British colonial era, Ghost Stories From The Raj promises to entertain and fascinate with its unique collection of tales that offer a delightful departure from the typical fright-inducing narratives.
My Personal Favorites are all three stories by Alice Perrin and Panther People by C.A. Kincaid.
Overall, it was a light reading and I always love reading Ruskin Bond, for his simplistic approach to story-telling.
The narratives within the book offer a diverse range of experiences, ranging from believable and humorous accounts to those that push the boundaries of imagination. One particularly mesmerizing tale, "The Men Tigers," captivates readers with its blend of intrigue and disbelief as it explores the existence of shape-shifting tigers in the forests of Central India. Bond's ability to portray the perspectives of British soldiers and officers adds an intriguing layer to the narratives, shedding light on their encounters with the supernatural.
One of the notable aspects of Ghost Stories From The Raj is the absence of fright and terror typically associated with ghost stories. Instead, readers are invited to delve into the supernatural realm through the lens of curiosity and fascination. The author's meticulous research and attention to detail are evident, reflecting his extensive travels across India in search of these unique stories.
This book stands as a testament to Ruskin Bond's enduring passion for storytelling and his ability to captivate readers with his engaging narratives. Whether you are a fan of Bond's previous works or simply intrigued by ghost stories set during the British colonial era, Ghost Stories From The Raj promises to entertain and fascinate with its unique collection of tales that offer a delightful departure from the typical fright-inducing narratives.
My Personal Favorites are all three stories by Alice Perrin and Panther People by C.A. Kincaid.
Overall, it was a light reading and I always love reading Ruskin Bond, for his simplistic approach to story-telling.
December 17, 2022
Ghost Stories from the Raj is a charming little collection of stories, a few allegedly based on true events, that deal with the paranormal experiences of the British people who lived in India until the early twentieth century. India of those times, with its abundant diversity in multiple senses, was heaven for adventurers and explorers, and these stories speak of an era that could only be imagined now. While these stories are interesting by themselves, the quaint language they are written in and the glimpses of life from those times that they offer are a lot more entertaining. Truth be told, the attitude of the colonists towards the natives evinced through these stories might irk some readers, but I had no such issues.
Being edited by Ruskin Bond was one major reason why this collection caught my interest, and I must say I enjoyed his Introduction to this book more than I did a few of these stories. A quick read for a lazy afternoon!
Being edited by Ruskin Bond was one major reason why this collection caught my interest, and I must say I enjoyed his Introduction to this book more than I did a few of these stories. A quick read for a lazy afternoon!
September 1, 2014
I stumbled upon this book in a small book fair. Lying desolately in a corner, the name Ruskin Bond caught my eye. I read the prologue where the editor (Mr. Bond- Ruskin, not James)describes the hilarious yet scary night vigil he kept for an elderly deceased woman. Never had I come across the combination of horror and comedy. Needless to say, I purchased the copy without further ado. While the supernatural creatures mentioned in the stories were extremely familiar, the tone of some of the stories is very haughty. But an enjoyable read for a train journey.
February 24, 2021
This is a collection comprising 11 short stories extracted from various magazines and texts that recount the experiences of British officials and personnel during the colonization of India. Set as far back as the 19th century, some of these stories offer the reader glimpses of hauntings, myths, and peculiar occurrences.
I don’t think the tales in this book do justice to the title. Save for 2-3 short stories, none of the others even remotely felt like a “ghost story”. Rather, to me, it read like a diary entry capturing sporadic events in the lives of the narrator. If you’ve picked up the book with the intention of reading spooky, thrilling tales, you’re most likely in for a disappointment.
Since these stories are written by diverse writers, the writing style varies substantially. I liked reading the ones by Alice Perrin; they captured the essence of haunting mysteries.
The entire collection is short enough to finish reading in a couple of hours, but due to the kind of tales included I wasn’t all that motivated to read it in one sitting.
I rarely ever feel this way about books but, in hindsight, this is one of those titles that if I had skipped, I wouldn’t have missed much.
I don’t think the tales in this book do justice to the title. Save for 2-3 short stories, none of the others even remotely felt like a “ghost story”. Rather, to me, it read like a diary entry capturing sporadic events in the lives of the narrator. If you’ve picked up the book with the intention of reading spooky, thrilling tales, you’re most likely in for a disappointment.
Since these stories are written by diverse writers, the writing style varies substantially. I liked reading the ones by Alice Perrin; they captured the essence of haunting mysteries.
The entire collection is short enough to finish reading in a couple of hours, but due to the kind of tales included I wasn’t all that motivated to read it in one sitting.
I rarely ever feel this way about books but, in hindsight, this is one of those titles that if I had skipped, I wouldn’t have missed much.
June 28, 2019
Ghost stories from the Raj, is an engaging Anthology by veteran writer Ruskin Bond. The stories of this book are not just any ghost stories, but are ghost stories that have occurred during the British regime in India.
The many accounts of this book are from British army officials, or other locals with whom they illustrate "Haunted India".
Now the book had many great stories. Tales of people who shapeshift into panthers and tigers. Local ghosts and demons who terrorize the British officials. And also Spirits who return in pursuit of vengenance and love.
But one story that stood out from the lot was A tale of the Malabar Jungles. It was a well written, well thought out story, which was beautifully edited by Ruskin Bond. The only downside of this book were the countless grammatical errors that our present throughout this book.
Otherwise, it would be a thrilling historical Horror read for any reader.
The many accounts of this book are from British army officials, or other locals with whom they illustrate "Haunted India".
Now the book had many great stories. Tales of people who shapeshift into panthers and tigers. Local ghosts and demons who terrorize the British officials. And also Spirits who return in pursuit of vengenance and love.
But one story that stood out from the lot was A tale of the Malabar Jungles. It was a well written, well thought out story, which was beautifully edited by Ruskin Bond. The only downside of this book were the countless grammatical errors that our present throughout this book.
Otherwise, it would be a thrilling historical Horror read for any reader.
March 3, 2023
Wonderful little collection. Shouldn't be read as mere ghost stories, rather read as an insight into the psyche of the colonizer, and how they saw and wrote about the natives and their beliefs. This is a discourse on race and identity as conceived by white colonial writers.
December 29, 2016
More creepy than scary and hence all the more effective. Enjoyed almost all the stories except for the first one. What is most attractive about the book is that these stories are set in a world which we know and care about and hence the scares feel more real and personal. My personal favorite would have to be the one with the panther people.
Hope we get more stories like these. Makes for a great read on a dark, cold stormy night
Hope we get more stories like these. Makes for a great read on a dark, cold stormy night
October 15, 2016
The 'Ghosts' are good, the 'Stories' are good, the Raj, not so much.
While the imperial narratives of ghostly experiences are fascinating, the undertones of the slavish treatment meted out, is just plain ghostly.
This is a ghostly book, by all means!
While the imperial narratives of ghostly experiences are fascinating, the undertones of the slavish treatment meted out, is just plain ghostly.
This is a ghostly book, by all means!
Read
September 23, 2018None of the stories were really 'horror stories' to be honest. However, those having a taste for Raj era English that comes with its own riveting mix of Urdu and Sanskrit, these stories are a wonderful collection.
January 23, 2021
For a non ghost-story lover like yours truly who picked this book up for the atmosphere it promised, this might have set off interest in tales of beings formerly of this world. The stories are all narrations of British officers first published in the early twentieth century and so a sense of wonder about the 'complicated' natives is all over this collection. A sepia snapshot, each story is. Transporting us to the jungles of Burma or roads of Western Ghats or a bungalow in Ooty...
We encounter an 'ayah' whose devotion to her wards clashes with her smarting from the Memsahib's admonitions, people who make out property deeds only in the name of a long deceased person in order to appease their spirit, tigers that were men once(!), abandoned temples guarded by mysterious men, djinns guarding ancient treasures... There is one story that is jarring as it draws on superstition heavily but other than that, Ruskin Bond had collected stories well! 😃
We encounter an 'ayah' whose devotion to her wards clashes with her smarting from the Memsahib's admonitions, people who make out property deeds only in the name of a long deceased person in order to appease their spirit, tigers that were men once(!), abandoned temples guarded by mysterious men, djinns guarding ancient treasures... There is one story that is jarring as it draws on superstition heavily but other than that, Ruskin Bond had collected stories well! 😃
September 10, 2024
This has to be one of the most entertaining, scary, and engaging ghost story books I’ve read. What really attracted me to it was the title. The stories are recounted by British officers and others. My favourite is the one featuring the werewolf and Munjia. It took me back to the pre-independence era and made me imagine that time; it was like watching a short film.
Read this if you love real ghost stories! It’s also a quick read—you can easily tackle one story a day.
Read this if you love real ghost stories! It’s also a quick read—you can easily tackle one story a day.
March 18, 2018
Ruskin Bond the story-teller indeed! Bond compiled various stories as told by various British Officers during Raj and their experiences with super-natural. Some of the stories are really nail-bitters and some are plain without any component of surprise. Language is mixture of old and modern English. Its a good and quick read for someone interested in some ghostly flavors.
April 19, 2022
A nice anthology - full marks for editing and compiling these stories. The graphic description of towns, places, customs, and people transport you to 19th century India.
Having said that, these stories could hardly be called Ghost stories. They should be read as historical fiction, and could be retitled as Supernatural Tales. Not ghost.
Having said that, these stories could hardly be called Ghost stories. They should be read as historical fiction, and could be retitled as Supernatural Tales. Not ghost.
November 3, 2020
I am not a very good with this Genre of Spooky Books..
But looking at the short stories .. I got tempted .. it has some wonderful stories from British Raj and pre-post independence. Reminds me the stories from village folklore.. quick read .. and great english by Ruskin Bond..
But looking at the short stories .. I got tempted .. it has some wonderful stories from British Raj and pre-post independence. Reminds me the stories from village folklore.. quick read .. and great english by Ruskin Bond..
May 5, 2024
Not the best ghost stories, but definitely not the worst.. I would call them thrillers more than horror though. The Panther People was good as were quite a few of the others.. the last one was quite a fitting end, especially the very last sentence was perfect!
February 2, 2019
Good.....
October 23, 2019
Vert nice collection all in Bond's signature interest and style.
February 25, 2020
Mundane stuff
Mundane predictable stories except for couple of stories. Not justified for the reputation of the author. Not worth even for bed time story.
Mundane predictable stories except for couple of stories. Not justified for the reputation of the author. Not worth even for bed time story.
May 9, 2020
Not very happy. Was expecting a more scary motive in the stories. Just good enough when you are bored.
July 12, 2020
2.5(??)
August 12, 2021
Not a very interesting read. Short stories which hardly have an element of surprise. Probably a decent read for children and teens.
August 18, 2022
An all-time favourite.
January 24, 2023
Awesome and quaint collection of wonderful stories.
1. The Wondrous Narrative of John Cambell Gunfounder to the Mogul Emperors, (1669-70)
2. The Men-Tigers by Lt. Col. W.H. Sleeman (1844)
3. Haunted Villages by Lt. Col. W.H. Sleeman (1844)
4. The Return of Imray by Rudyard Kipling (1891)
5. The Summoning of Arnold by Alice Perrin (1926)
6. Chunia, Ayah by Alice Perrin (1926) 7. Crime Alice Perrin (1926)
8. A Ghost in Burma by Gerald T. Tait (1928)
9. "There are more things-" A Tale of the Malabar Jungles by H.W. Dennys (1930)
10. The Aryan Smiles by J. Warton and N. Blenman (1933)
11. Panther People by C.A. Kincaid (1936)
12. The Old Graveyard at Sirur by C.A. Kincaid (1936)
13. The Munjia by C.A. Kincaid (1936)
14. The Pool by John Eyton (1922)
1. The Wondrous Narrative of John Cambell Gunfounder to the Mogul Emperors, (1669-70)
2. The Men-Tigers by Lt. Col. W.H. Sleeman (1844)
3. Haunted Villages by Lt. Col. W.H. Sleeman (1844)
4. The Return of Imray by Rudyard Kipling (1891)
5. The Summoning of Arnold by Alice Perrin (1926)
6. Chunia, Ayah by Alice Perrin (1926) 7. Crime Alice Perrin (1926)
8. A Ghost in Burma by Gerald T. Tait (1928)
9. "There are more things-" A Tale of the Malabar Jungles by H.W. Dennys (1930)
10. The Aryan Smiles by J. Warton and N. Blenman (1933)
11. Panther People by C.A. Kincaid (1936)
12. The Old Graveyard at Sirur by C.A. Kincaid (1936)
13. The Munjia by C.A. Kincaid (1936)
14. The Pool by John Eyton (1922)
December 23, 2022
I had the surreal experience of reading one half of this collection in England and the other half in India. The uncanny tales vary drastically in terms of their grammar, style, and even genre - the reader must set aside their expectations and simply go with the messy flow of the collection. It's not a very effective work of literature, but makes for curious reading. This is a set of lenses through which one can glimpse the shadowy depths of India's history through the eyes of her colonisers.
-the lesson of one story is literally "stay away from incel boys" and this is a timeless message.
-the lesson of one story is literally "stay away from incel boys" and this is a timeless message.
February 10, 2017
I like Ruskin Bond's writings. However, this book is a collection of ghost stories as told by English officers and other foreign inhabitants of India in British Raj and published in various vintage magazines such as "Indian State Railways Magazine". These are not really the stories that will give you goosebumps but still, they are interesting in that they provide glimpses of superstitions held among Indian people of the time.
June 22, 2019
Some of the stories are interesting, but the book is too uneven to be really memorable. There's better stuff out there, and while some stories do hold your attention, the book overall doesn't really capture the imagination.
January 11, 2010
These stories were'nt very good, i could tell better ones. i would give this a 0. all though its very fast to read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews