Madhyanh (मध्यान्ह) by Hari Narayan Apte (हरी नारायण आपटे)

"Madhyanh (मध्यान्ह)", a Marathi novel by Hari Narayan Apte (हरी नारायण आपटे). This edition of the book is published by Samanway Prakashan (समन्वय प्रकाशन) in Sept 2013 and has 416 pages. This book was originally written and published around year 1900. Meaning of Madhyanh is Noon.

This is the novel in times of Peshwai (पेशवाई). This novel captures the changes and realignments in Peshwai after Raghobadada (राघोबादादा) assassinates the reigning Peshwa Narayanrao (नारायणराव). Raghobadada becomes Peshwa but his conscience doesn't let him stay in capital Pune and he leaves to attack the neighbors and expand the boundaries. Narayarao's widow was pregnant when he was killed.

Twelve administrators (कारभारी) of Peshwai led by Sakharambapu Bokil (सखारामबापू बोकील) and Nana Phadnis (नाना फडणीस) do not approve of Raghobadada's illegal capture of throne of Peshwai. They come together to conspire (बारभाईचे कारस्थान) against Raghoba and take over the charge of Swarajya (स्वराज्य) in the name of still to be born son of Narayanrao, hoping that it would be a son. Anandibai (आनंदीबाई), the brain behind, Narayanrao's assassination and wife of Raghobadada, tries to kill the phoetus, the mother and then the new born. Nana ensures that all these attempts are foiled. The newborn, a son, is declared Peshwa. He is called Sawai Madhavrao (सवाई माधवराव), which means better than Madhavrao, his uncle.

Nana and the administrators ensure that all internal and external enemies are silenced. Nana also ensures that all administrators stay on track of their objective of protecting and increasing Swarajya, dispite their differences. He breaks the back of the opposition by a combination of spying, negotiating, threatening, cajoling and emotional blackmailing.

The objective is to bring the sun of Peshwai high above head like noon (मध्यान्ह), of reestablishing the Peaswai to the pinnacle of old glory that was achieved in the times of Madhavrao Peshwe.

Initial part of novel is very interesting. The story slows down in the middle and picks up speed at the end. Some of the historical instances are covered in very few pages. I felt that the book should have had another 70-80 pages.

The analysis of events, way of thinking of characters, the mental combat, the strategies are all impeccably presented. At the end of the book the reader wants to know what happens next and doesn't want the book to end.

Hari Narayan Apte, the author, is famous Marathi writer known for his historical as well as social novels. He is also the author of ground breaking novel 'Pan lakshat non gheto (पण लक्षात कोण घेतो)', a novel based on Women Empowerment narrated by a female character.

This book was written more than 100 years ago, so the Marathi language used is ancient. On one hand this can be an exotic angle for some readers and on the other hand the readers can shun the book for this very reason.

If you can stand ancient Marathi and if you know and are interested in the history of Peshwai, this book is for you.

Disclaimer: I am not related to the author.