Chaturanga by Anand Neelakantan

"Chaturanga" by Anand Neelakantan. This book was published by Westland in 2020 and has 320 pages. This is Book 2 of 'Bahubali: Before the beginning' series. 

Book starts with aftermath of the failed coup by Vaithalikas and Shivgami inadvertently saving king Somdeva's life. In this book, Shigami has to duel with and kill her foster father to become Bhoomipathi. Her foster family is destroyed. Shivappa, Katappa's younger brother is resurrected. Bijjaldeva and Keki are plotting something. Pattaraya has disappeared with his daughter. Ally returns to Katappa. Brihannala is helping Vaithalikas. Leaper's village is buzzing. Gundu Ramu is missing. Shivgami is falling for younger prince Mahadeva and trying to make a mark for herself. A caravan reaches Gauriparvat. Children are disappearing. 

What is Bijjaldeva's plan? What is Brihannala up to? Why does Katappa want to kill Shivappa? Why are children disappearing? What can Shivgami do?

The story is intriguing. Although slow, it has a flow. The characters that appeared in previous book are also present in this one. Darkness is a character in this book. It plays a vital role. In fact many of things become possible because of darkness. The secret of Gauriparvat becomes known. 

As the name suggests everyone in this book is playing Chaturang with real persons. Somdeva has hidden agenda in making Shivgami a Bhoomipathi. Pattaraya has a hidden agenda to become king maker. Vaithalikas have an agenda to overthrow Mahishmati king. Deposed queen of Kadarimandalam has an agenda to regain power. Bijjaldeva wants to become Somdeva's successor. Everyone is moving his pieces on Chaturanga, everyone is playing a complex game. Shivgami is the real pawn along with others. But she has her own will. 

Book ends with a twist, increasing the anticipation for Book 3. Concluding Book 3 of the trilogy is already published.

Why did I read this book? Bahubali. Book 1 was interesting. 

What I didn't like? Why try to snare Katappa? 

What did I like? Intricacies. 

Recommend reading, if you have read first book.

Legend of Suheldev: The king who saved India by Amish

"Legend of Suheldev: The king who saved India" by Amish - Fascinating!

This book is published by Westland in 2020 and has 352 pages. This is an immortal writer's center book. 

Mahmud of Gazni has attacked India and is marching towards Somnath temple. Mallaldev, Prince of Shravasti, goes for the defense, fights till last man, but is killed by Mahmud. Mahmud loots and desecrates Somnath temple and breaks the Shivling. Malladev's younger brother Suheldev and his father try to form an alliance of various kings, but many kings of India refuse because these two are not Kshatriya. Suheldev decides to put up an unconventional opposition to Mahmud.

What will be Suheldev's strategy? Will Mahmud return? Will Suheldev be able to counter the curse of division? Is there a traitor? Will the Turks come back?

The story is set in year 1020 AD or thereabouts. Suheldev starts the resistance to Turks and also starts collecting friends and loyal followers, including a kshatriya king in waiting, a young female warrior, a Turk etc. Finally there's the epic battle. 

It's a story of old times but it's a fascinating story. Reader is hooked to the story and remains so till end. The story includes politics, war tactics, desh prem, hint of love and much more. Narration is fluid. Characters are good. Story is riveting. Since it has its origin in history, it's even more satisfying.

It is revulsing to know that Turks killed every Male, irrespective of age, and raped, killed and sold all females in Delhi when they sacked Delhi. They destroyed thousands of temples,  broke and desecrated idols of gods and goddesses and looted anything that they can lay their hands on. 

Suheldev's success was in uniting the divided kingdoms of India and kindling the concept of India as one nation. His vision has come to fruition almost 1000 years later. Had he not fought and defeated the Turks, India would have become a colony of Barbaric Turks. Can't imagine fate of our ancestors under Turkik rule.

It's known that Suheldev was not a kshatriya, but his cast is not known and many casts have tried to appropriate him for political gains in modern India. I, however, concur with author that he should be remembered as an Indian rather than anything else.

Credit to author for selecting this little known story of little known but immensely important king who changed the course of history. Author took the real story and spun a fiction out of it. 

This book has a preamble to another book. The story of how Cholas, lead by King Rajendra Chola, assassinated Mamud of Gazni in Gazni. Another fact based fiction in the offing!

Amish is candid to explain concept of Writers' Center. Authors are known to use ghost writers and never mention them or mention them as co-authors. Amish is an exemplary exception. 

Concept of Writers' Center: Amish works with a team of writers, to whom he relates complete story. Then they write first draft and Amish then works upon it and gives us the finished product. Apparently it works!

Why did I read this book? Author. Curiosity about Suheldev.

What did I like? Story, narration

What I didn't like? Bits and pieces here and there. 

Recommend reading.