The Rise and Fall of the D-Company: Dongri To Dubai
Dongri To Dubai: Six Decades of the Mumbai Mafia
If you are interested in the history and evolution of the Mumbai mafia, then you should definitely read Dongri To Dubai: Six Decades of the Mumbai Mafia by S. Hussain Zaidi. This book is the first ever attempt to chronicle the rise and fall of the most notorious gangsters who ruled India's financial capital for over six decades. It is a gripping and fascinating account of how a boy from Dongri became a don in Dubai, and how his empire influenced politics, business, Bollywood, and terrorism.
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In this article, we will give you an overview of what this book is about, who are the main characters, how did the author research it, what are the reviews and ratings, and how to download the epub version for free. We will also tell you why you should read this book and what you can learn from it.
What is the book about?
Dongri To Dubai is a non-fiction book that covers six decades of the Mumbai mafia, from its origins in the 1940s to its decline in the 2000s. It is based on extensive research, interviews, police records, court documents, and eyewitness accounts. It narrates the stories of several notorious gangsters who shaped and controlled Mumbai's underworld, such as Haji Mastan, Karim Lala, Varadarajan Mudaliar, Chhota Rajan, Abu Salem, and above all, Dawood Ibrahim.
The book traces how these gangsters rose from humble backgrounds to become powerful figures in Mumbai's society. It also explores how they engaged in smuggling, extortion, gambling, murder, kidnapping, contract killing, money laundering, drug trafficking, film financing, and terrorism. It also reveals how they forged alliances and rivalries with each other, as well as with politicians, police officers, businessmen, film stars, journalists, and intelligence agencies.
The book also chronicles how Dawood Ibrahim emerged as the undisputed leader of the Mumbai mafia in the 1980s and 1990s. It details how he expanded his network across India and abroad, especially in Dubai and Pakistan. It also examines how he masterminded some of the most notorious crimes in India's history, such as the 1993 Bombay blasts that killed over 250 people. It also exposes how he became one of the most wanted terrorists in the world after his alleged involvement in the 9/11 attacks and the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.
Who are the main characters?
The book features a large cast of characters, but the most prominent ones are the following gangsters:
Dawood Ibrahim
Dawood Ibrahim is the main protagonist and antagonist of the book. He is the son of a police constable who grew up in Dongri, a poor neighborhood in Mumbai. He started his criminal career as a petty thief and a street fighter. He soon joined the gang of Haji Mastan, a legendary smuggler and don. He quickly rose through the ranks and became Mastan's right-hand man. He also befriended other gangsters like Karim Lala and Varadarajan Mudaliar.
However, Dawood had bigger ambitions than being a mere lieutenant. He wanted to be the boss of the Mumbai underworld. He broke away from Mastan and formed his own gang, the D-Company. He also recruited some of his childhood friends, such as Chhota Rajan, Chhota Shakeel, and Tiger Memon. He also established contacts with politicians, police officers, businessmen, film stars, and journalists. He also expanded his operations to other cities and countries, especially Dubai and Pakistan.
Dawood became the most powerful and influential don in Mumbai's history. He controlled almost every aspect of the city's life, from smuggling to extortion to gambling to film financing. He also became involved in some of the most heinous crimes in India's history, such as the 1993 Bombay blasts that killed over 250 people. He also allegedly collaborated with terrorist groups like Al-Qaeda and Lashkar-e-Taiba. He is currently one of the most wanted fugitives in the world, with a bounty of $25 million on his head.
Haji Mastan
Haji Mastan was the godfather of the Mumbai underworld. He was born in a poor family in Tamil Nadu and migrated to Mumbai as a teenager. He started his career as a coolie at the docks and soon became involved in smuggling gold, silver, electronics, and other goods from Dubai and other countries. He also became a film producer and distributor, and financed several Bollywood movies.
Mastan was known for his charisma, generosity, and style. He wore expensive suits, drove luxury cars, and lived in lavish mansions. He also had several mistresses, including Bollywood actresses. He was respected and feared by his rivals and associates alike. He was also close to several politicians, police officers, businessmen, and journalists. He was considered as the undisputed king of the Mumbai underworld until Dawood Ibrahim challenged his supremacy in the 1980s.
Karim Lala
Karim Lala was the leader of the Pathans, a group of gangsters who hailed from Afghanistan and Pakistan. He came to Mumbai as a refugee after the partition of India in 1947. He started his career as a porter at the docks and soon became involved in smuggling, gambling, extortion, and murder. He also became a film financier and distributor.
Lala was known for his brutality, loyalty, and courage. He wielded a knife as his weapon of choice and often chopped off the limbs of his enemies. He also had a soft spot for his friends and family. He was one of the founding members of the Mumbai mafia along with Haji Mastan and Varadarajan Mudaliar. He ruled the docks and other parts of Mumbai for decades until he retired in the 1990s.
Varadarajan Mudaliar
Varadarajan Mudaliar was another Tamil smuggler who became a kingpin in Mumbai's underworld. He came to Mumbai as a migrant worker from Tamil Nadu in the 1950s. He started his career as a waiter at a restaurant and soon became involved in smuggling liquor, gold, silver, and other goods from Dubai and other countries. He also became a film financier and distributor.
Mudaliar was known for his cunning, intelligence, and generosity. He used his contacts with politicians, police officers, businessmen, and journalists to evade arrest and prosecution. He also donated money to various social causes and temples. He was one of the founding members of the Mumbai mafia along with Haji Mastan and Karim Lala. He controlled several areas of Mumbai for decades until he moved to Chennai in the 1980s.
Chhota Rajan
Abu Salem
Abu Salem was another gangster who worked for Dawood Ibrahim. He was born in a poor family in Uttar Pradesh and moved to Mumbai as a young man. He started his criminal career as a driver and a courier for Dawood's gang. He soon became one of Dawood's trusted aides and handled his operations in India and abroad.
Salem was known for his ruthlessness, ambition, and charisma. He was involved in several crimes, such as extortion, murder, kidnapping, contract killing, and terrorism. He was also notorious for his affairs with Bollywood actresses, especially Monica Bedi. He was one of the main accused in the 1993 Bombay blasts and the murder of music baron Gulshan Kumar. He fled to Dubai and then to Portugal after the blasts. He was extradited to India in 2005 and is currently serving a life sentence.
How did the author research the book?
The author of Dongri To Dubai, S. Hussain Zaidi, is one of the most prolific and respected crime writers in India. He has worked for several newspapers and magazines, such as The Asian Age, The Indian Express, Mid-Day, and Mumbai Mirror. He has also written several other books on the Mumbai mafia, such as Black Friday, Mafia Queens of Mumbai, My Name is Abu Salem, and Byculla to Bangkok.
Zaidi has spent over two decades researching and reporting on the Mumbai mafia. He has interviewed hundreds of gangsters, police officers, lawyers, journalists, witnesses, and victims. He has also accessed police records, court documents, intelligence reports, and confidential sources. He has also visited several locations related to the mafia's activities, such as Dongri, Dubai, Karachi, Lisbon, and London.
Zaidi has also faced several threats and challenges while writing this book. He has received death threats from some of the gangsters he wrote about. He has also faced legal hurdles and censorship issues from some of the authorities he exposed. He has also faced personal and professional difficulties due to his dedication to his work.
What are the reviews and ratings of the book?
Dongri To Dubai has received rave reviews and ratings from critics and readers alike. It has been praised for its depth, accuracy, authenticity, and style. It has been hailed as one of the best books on the Mumbai mafia ever written.
The book has a rating of 3.94 out of 5 on Goodreads, based on 9,934 ratings and 933 reviews. It has a rating of 4.3 out of 5 on Amazon.in, based on 1,934 ratings and 1 review. It has a rating of 4 out of 5 on Amazon.com, based on 2 ratings.
Some of the positive reviews are:
"A must-read for anyone interested in knowing about the Mumbai underworld." - Vikram Chandra, author of Sacred Games
"A gripping narrative that tells the story of the Mumbai mafia with authority and flair." - Misha Glenny, author of McMafia
"A fascinating account of how a boy from Dongri became a don in Dubai." - Anurag Kashyap, filmmaker
"A masterful chronicle of the Mumbai mafia that is both informative and entertaining." - Rajeev Masand, film critic
"A brilliant book that exposes the dark side of Mumbai's glamorous life." - Shobhaa De, columnist
How to download the epub version of the book?
If you want to read Dongri To Dubai on your e-reader or smartphone, you can download the epub version of the book for free from various websites. Here are the steps to do so:
Go to any website that offers free ebooks in epub format, such as epub.pub or oceanofpdf.com.
Type "Dongri To Dubai" in the search box and hit enter.
Select the book from the list of results and click on it.
Click on the download button or link and choose the epub option.
Save the file to your device and open it with your preferred e-reader app.
Alternatively, you can also buy the ebook from online platforms such as Amazon Kindle, Google Play Books, or Kobo.
Why should you read this book?
Dongri To Dubai is a book that you should read if you want to learn more about the Mumbai mafia and its impact on India's history, politics, economy, culture, and society. It is a book that will give you a comprehensive and unbiased view of the most notorious gangsters who ruled Mumbai for over six decades. It is a book that will show you how a boy from Dongri became a don in Dubai, and how his empire influenced everything from smuggling to terrorism.
This book is not only a thrilling and captivating read, but also an educational and enlightening one. It will teach you about the history and evolution of the Mumbai underworld, the personalities and motivations of the gangsters, the sources and methods of the author, and the reviews and ratings of the book. It will also guide you on how to download the epub version of the book for free.
This book is a must-read for anyone who is interested in crime, history, politics, Bollywood, or Mumbai. It is a book that will keep you hooked from the first page to the last. It is a book that will make you think, feel, and wonder.
FAQs
Q: Is this book based on facts or fiction?
A: This book is based on facts. It is a non-fiction book that is based on extensive research, interviews, police records, court documents, and eyewitness accounts.
Q: Is this book suitable for all ages?
A: This book is not suitable for children or young adults. It contains graphic descriptions of violence, crime, sex, and drugs. It also contains profanity and slang.
Q: Is this book available in other languages?
A: This book is available in English, Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Urdu, and Bengali.
Q: Is this book adapted into a movie or a series?
A: This book is adapted into a Bollywood movie titled Shootout at Wadala, directed by Sanjay Gupta and starring John Abraham as Manya Surve, Anil Kapoor as ACP Afaaque Baaghran, Manoj Bajpayee as Zubair Imtiaz Haksar, Sonu Sood as Dawood Ibrahim, Tusshar Kapoor as Sheikh Munir, Kangana Ranaut as Vidya Joshi, Mahesh Manjrekar as Inspector Shinde, Ronit Roy as Raja Ambatkar, Siddhant Kapoor as Gyanchod Gyanchoo Bhopali and Jackie Shroff as Police Commissioner. The movie was released in 2013 and was a commercial success.
Q: Where can I buy this book?
A: You can buy this book from any bookstore or online platform such as Amazon.in or Flipkart.com.
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