Serbian prince Bojidar Karageorgevitch's early 20th-century travelogue, "Enchanted India," details the experiences and contacts he had while in India. The book is broken up into various sections, each of which focuses on a different facet of Indian culture and everyday life. In the first chapter, the prince talks about his first impressions of India, complimenting its vivid colors, loud noises, and fragrances. In his articles, he also talks about his interactions with people and his encounters with Indian hospitality. The second part examines Indian spirituality as well as Buddhism, Jainism, and Hinduism. The prince shares opinions on how various religious festivals, beliefs, and practices have influenced Indian society. In the third phase of his voyage, Prince Bojidar goes into great depth about the magnificent carvings, paintings, and sculptures that embody India's famed cultural past. The examination of Indian politics and culture in the fourth chapter includes information on the caste system, women's position, and the fight for independence from British colonial rule. The last part examines the prince's general perceptions on India and his reverence for its diverse and rich cultural heritage. He expressed hope for India's future as an industrialized, democratic nation. Through the eyes of a foreign visitor, "Enchanted India" presents an interesting and instructive perspective on India's history, culture, and society.
A skilled artist, art critic, and globetrotter, Prince Bojidar Karageorgevitch belonged to the Serbian Karaorevi family. Due to the family's exile, he lived in France for the most of his life and had many trips abroad. He participated in the Tonkin campaign while serving in the French army and was awarded the Cross of the Legion of Honour. Before working as a translator and writer, he taught painting and singing as a means of support. At the turn of the century, he made two trips to Serbia to assess how the populace felt generally about a potential Obrenovi dynasty replacement by the Karaorevi family. Prince Bojidar had a passion for art and often wrote pieces for magazines like the Figaro and La Revue de Paris. He was a designer, sculptor, painter, and goldsmith who further produced panels and medallions for a Parisian atelier. He socialised with well-known painters including Paul Sérusier, Émile Bernard, and Georges Lacombe. He spent a lot of time exploring India on one of his visits overseas and authored a book titled Enchanted India. Additionally, he translated works by Tolstoy and Mór Jókai, a playwright from Hungary. Typhoid fever caused Prince Bojidar's death at Versailles on April 2, 1908.
