The treasure of Kafur by Aroon Raman

"The treasure of Kafur" by Aroon Raman. This book is published by Pan Macmillan in 2013 and has 400 pages.

The story starts in 1312 AD when Malik Kafur, slave & commander-in-chief of Allauddin Khilji, Sultan of Dilli, hides a priceless treasure plundered from South India in a river near Deogiri. Time leap to 1580 AD Sillod. Asaf Baig Farruqi, King of Khandesh, is cobbling up a grand alliance against the Mughals of Akbar. He needs two aces. One is secured and one is sought. Future of Hindustan is in balance. One wrong move and everything will be lost. 

What are the aces? Who is Ambu, the guardian? Can her grandson, Datta, save the treasure with the help of talking animals; a cow Aditi, a Tortoise Manas, Ravens Kanaka and Shukra and a parrot, Sheherazad, for guide?

The story is narrated with ease and the curiosity and interest is retained till the end. Author has probably invented Taraks, the cult of Thataka, the demoness Ram killed. But author does not elaborate about the superhuman agility of the Taraks. He also does not say if Taraks realize that the treasure was gone?

Characterization is good. Ahilya, fiercely independent, longs freedom, the best archer, beautiful and spirited. Akbar, larger than life, expert at disguise, languages and fighting, big hearted. In this book Akbar leads a covert mission of three in person. He even meets Rana Pratap. Ambu, old but very solid in mind, has foresight. Dilawar, brave, good friend and loyal. Datta, compassionate, hates violence, brave, to an extent naive. Band of talking and thinking animals.

Comrediery between Datta and Dilawar, Datta and Ahilya, Akbar and his advisors, Datta and his animals is beautifully depicted. Readers become part of Dattas friends while reading the novel. 

Author has used the entry of characters at the opportune time to tilt the out come of fight in the favor of protagonists repeatedly and very effectively. It gives reader adrenaline shot. 

Towards the end of book, another quest looks imminent. But the book ends on the eve of the quest. If author plans to write a sequel, it's a great ending. If he doesn't, still it's a great end. Full marks to the way author concludes the book. 

There are number of novels that include hunt, in present times, of a treasure hidden in ancient times. This book is different on two counts. One it's not a hunt for treasure, rather avoiding the discovery of treasure. Two it doesn't happen in present time but in the times of Mughal ruler Akbar. I enjoyed it more, thus.

A must read.