"Bharat: The man who built a nation by Dr. Vineet Aggarwal

"Bharat: The man who built a nation" by Dr. Vineet Aggarwal - Not enough Bharat!  

This book is published by Penguin books in 2017 and has 248 pages.

The story starts from Dushyant meeting Shakuntala, their marriage,  birth of Sarvadaman, arrival of mother and baby to Hastinapur, Sarvadaman's growth,  love,  coronation, becoming Bharat, conquering world and performing various Yadnyas.

Why did Dushyant refuse to recognize Shakuntala? How was Bharat as a person?  Who was his paramour? What role did Vishwamitra play?

Bharat was son of Dushyant - Shakuntala and grand son of Vishwamitra. He was also cousin of Parshuram. Bharat was the king who ruled entire India of that time. In today's times it includes India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan (entire Indian subcontinent) as well as Afghanistan, Bactria, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Persia. India got it's name Bhaarat or Bhaarat varsha after him. 

Author has done away with the prevalent version of Dushyant forgetting about Shakuntala due to curse and instead has given a logical reasoning, probably inspired by Gandhiji, that Dushyant repented enjoying pleasures with Shakuntala & not being present when his father died; hence decided to forget her.

However I felt that author has over emphasized the story of Dushyant - Shakuntala and has spent too many pages on it. Almost half of book is over by the time Bharat is born. Thus, the hero is left with less mileage. To compound to it author also adds story of Raja Harishchandra in the book. It  should have been covered in a couple of pages due to its relevance to the main story. Later author has spent a lot of pages on Bharat's childhood and up to his coronation. It leaves very less page space for the victories of Bharat and reunification of Nabhi-varsha (As Bhaarat was then called) under his leadership.

His good deeds, decisions for the welfare of his subjects, the changes he brought and the United identity that he gave to this nation are almost overlooked. 

Thus, this book lacks balance and focus. Probably author wanted to cover everything but ended up being all over the place. 

If one asks oneself 'Did Bharat (after who the country is named) lived before Ram or after?' Intuitive answer would be, after. But actually he lived before Ram.

This book is not as good as author's first two books.

Why did I read this book? Story of Bharat.

What I didn't like?  Lack of focus on Bharat. 

What did I like? Narration. 

Read if you have spare time.