Part 6.1 - Dariyalal in the Gujarati language

[Under Literature review, some more documentary evidence is mentioned below: Dariyalal by Gunvantrai Acharya: There are two books by name ‘Dariyalal’.]

First, the original in Gujarati language and script. The second, a translation of the same book in English by Ms. Kamal Sanyal keeping the title ‘Dariyalal’ unchanged.

The author has stated in the introduction that one may call this writing a historical one or a folklore which is the base of this Gujarati book. He had a deep impression of the folk stories on his mind which he had heard from the sailors and seafarers of Mandvi from Kutch, Porbandar and Veraval from Gujarat. Along with the experiences of adventures of those sailors and seafarers he has blended his story writing skills to such an extent that this book becomes a memorable one and a very popular one in the Gujarati language. This is evident from the fact that the first edition of the book is dated back to the year 1938 A.D. and the present one is the seventeenth edition.

The mention of Dariyalal, another name of Lord Jhulelal is found at several places in this book. In fact, the name of the book is ‘Dariyalal’, which is a good proof that even in the year 1938 i.e. eighty years back Dariyalal was a favorite deity and a novel was written by that name. It became so popular that in eighty years, many editions of the book have been brought out. The present one is seventeenth and is printed in the year 2013.

An eighty-year-old publication which is included in the category of fiction is an outstanding source to understand the antiquity of Lord Jhulelal. As stated earlier Lord Jhulelal is known by many names and Dariyalal is a popular name by which he is fondly called which shows his close relationship with Dariya (sea).

The writer Gunvantarai Acharya has to his credit a large number of books which are novels and have a historical background. This is indicative of the fact that they are based on some historical events. The writer has expanded the subject and presented it to the readers making it very interesting.

In the preface, he has mentioned it clearly that certain names mentioned in the book are taken from the true characters which were in existence during the period when the events of the novel take place and they coincide with the occupation of some Asian and African countries by the Britishers. In addition, he has taken the support of some memoirs by some writers, some history books, the list of which is given at the end of the novel. The author has clearly mentioned that he has taken the support of following books to write this story (novel). Some of the books mentioned therein are as below:

• History of Indian ocean
• Zanzibar by Mr. Dany
• Ships and sailors by Stanley Rogers
• The Cradle of Culture by Votkins
• My memories by Le Rex
• A short history of cutch by Le Votkins
• Pirates of the sea by Clarke Russel

The book would introduce the reader to Dariyalal or Jhulelal and it would also give an account of the era which is covered in the book and how Dariyalal was revered in those times.