The boy from Pataliputra by Rahul Mitra

"The boy from Pataliputra" by Rahul Mitra. This  book is published by Fingerprint in 2017 and has 383 pages. This is Book 1 of the trilogy. 

Aaditya is a carefree young lad. His brother, Ajeet, is a Noble in Patliputra. Ajeet becomes an expendable pawn in local politics and is executed. Aaditya is spirited away to Takshashila. He transforms from a boy to man under Pandi's training. This is the time when Alexander invades India. Aaditya is caught in the turmoil. 

Who will Aaditya befriend? Will he make a name for himself? Is there a love interest for Aaditya? What will happen in Takshashila? Can Aaditya avenge his brother's execution? What choices will he make?

The story takes place in Takshashila at the time of Alexander's invasion of India.

Greeks are barbarians. They have burned every city they conquered and put to everyone to sword; men, women, children and old. Nobody is spared. They have even killed the entire population after agreeing to let them go unharmed. Ambhi, King of Takshashila, has accepted sovereignty of Alexander and had levied a new tax to feed the Greeks. The Takshashilan society is highly intellectual due to Takshashila university. The acharyas and students oppose Ambhi's decision. They are mobilizing public opinion against Ambhi. They are led by Acharya Chanakya and his guru Acharya Pundarikaksha. On one side is Ambhi who is ready to sell out to Alexander.  On the other side is Alexander who has threatened the very essence of India and it's way of life. It's a period of turmoil, a period of change. A period where the only the fittest will survive and shine.

Chanakya is recommending the idea of Bharatvarsha. A pan India identity rather than a kingdom based identity. He sees Alexander's invasion as a threat to this identity, a threat to civilization. Individual Kings don't like it but masses love it. Chanakya sees this invasion by Yavanas as threat to sovereignty of Bharatvarsha and calls for unification of individual kingdoms under one authority.

The characterization is rich. Aaditya, Pandi, Devika, Radha, Rishabh etc are developed characters with their own aspects. Each has got sufficient attention from the author. Private Philotas is a Greek soldier who finds a lot of mention without really displaying any special capability. Probably this character has got a bigger role to play in the subsequent books. Despite it being the time of Chanakya and Chandragupta, they make only a guest appearance. Author should be praised for refraining from using the popular characters predominantly in this story. But these two will have a larger role in subsequent books. 

Author has created atmosphere of more than 2000 years ago convincingly. Its author's credit that he takes readers back in time. The rise of Aaditys is also gradual, not over done. Despite Aaditya being a nobody, the story is very interesting. Readers are hooked to the story.

War of Hydapses (River then known as Vitasta and now known as Jhelum) between Alexander and Puru is depicted in detail. Author portrays the war as a fair war. He does not subscribe to the popular notion that Alexander attacked at night contrary to the prevailing regulations and won the war unfairly.

He also does not subscribe to popular conception that Alexander defeated Puru and returned his kingdom after hearing his demand of being treated by a king as a king. Author says that it was a truce between two equal kings. Puru did not lose. Truce was offered by Alexander. The justification that he gives to this theory in the notes sounds very credible. 

I should specifically mention two things. These are master pieces and stand out. One is the the detailed description of sword fights and fighting technique. Very good. Second is the analysis of changed circumstances of Takshashilan society by King's acharya where he explains the King what has changed since the time of his father.

There are four chapters after epilogue. Its strange. Only the last chapter, aftermath of war, should have been epilogue. 

Book covert shows silhouette of a young man riding a horse on red background. Do they represent Aaditya, Ashvaghosha and blood / war? The cover is plain but arresting. Rahul Mitra, an unknown name, but he has displayed the finess of experienced writer.

Although this is Book 1 of the trilogy, the only place it is mentioned is on the dedication page. Why? Nevertheless, Book 2 will be eagerly awaited. I read the book with limited expectations but it turned out to be a delightful read.

Why did I read this book? Blurb. 

What I didn't like? Early epilogue. 

What did I like?  Story, narration, atmosphere. 

A  very good book. Recommend reading.