The Glass Palace

About “The Glass Palace”

Set in Burma during the British invasion of 1885, The Glass Palace by Amitav Ghosh follows the life of Rajkumar, a poor boy who rises amid political and social upheaval to build an empire in the Burmese teak forest. After soldiers force the royal family from the Glass Palace and into exile, Rajkumar befriends Dolly, a young woman in the Queen’s court. Their bond leaves a lasting mark on him, and years later, as a wealthy man, he searches for her. The novel explores themes of empire, displacement, and personal longing. It is a 2000 historical novel by Amitav Ghosh.