War of Lanka by Amish - Hot and Cold

​"War of Lanka" by Amish - Hot and Cold!

This book is published by HarperCollins Publishers India in 2022 and has 475 pages. This is fourth book of Ram Chandra Series. 

Ravan has abducted Sita in previous book. He tells her, her true identity. Ram must attack Lanka and destroy its army to become hero and discharge his duties as seventh Vishnu. Bharat has traveled south with massive Ayodhyan Navy. It’s war of Lanka!

What is Sita’s true identity? Why Ravan doesn’t hurt Sita? Will the animosity between Vasishtha and Vishwamitra alter the course of history? How was the Ram Setu built? How was the war of Lanka fought?

There is politics here. Malayputras (tribe left behind by previous Vishnu, Parshuram) are led by Vishwamitra and have acknowledged Sita as the seventh Vishnu. Vayuputras (tribe left behind by previous Mahadev, Rudra) led by Hanuman, have acknowledged Ram as seventh Vishnu. Both try to push forward their case. Who is the real Vishnu? Ram believes it’s Sita and Sita believes it’s Ram. 

There are two highlights of this book. First is building of Ram Setu by the best engineer Shatrughna. He thinks of everything. Sea currents, type of water, most appropriate material of construction, hydrodynamics etc. Engineering behind building of Ram Setu is fascinating. Second is the naval battle . The war tactics, use of natural resources like rivers and artificial resources like dam, artificial canal, secret tunnels, the faint and real attack. All of it is well thought, brilliantly devised and neatly presented. Author has made extensive use of waterways. He did the same in his Shiva trilogy too.

However, the naval battle turns out to be of no significance eventually and the real war is fought outside the walls of Lankan capital Sigiriya. This war brings the graph down drastically. Mind you the war is not bad, it’s meticulously explained, especially the Ram-Ravan duel, but the expectations raised by naval battle are not met by the real war. The real war falls short. It’s a two day war. While trying to make it realistic author has lost the grandeur and magnificence. It’s like hot and cold treatment. 

Contrary to popular story, here Bharat and Shatrughna come with the mighty Ayodhya navy and army to attack Lanka and play a vital part in war. It makes sense, if your queen is kidnapped, the empire will strike back. Mandodari doesn’t marry Vibhishan. Ravan’s character undergoes inexplicable change between last book and this. Shatrughna is the brilliant engineer, not a warrior. Vibhishan is shown as sly, disgusting, sneaky weasel of a turncoat and a genius engineer. Lakshman is massive, powerful, impulsive, not a tactician, brave, fierce warrior. Kumbhakarna is powerful, wise, noble soul, respected by all. So is Indrajit. Ram is the personification of virtue and dharma. He is a brilliant general. Bharat is the able deputy of Ram. Hanuman is good tactician. 

Credit to the author who has written a brilliant first half of the book with attention to detail. It’s not a testosterone fueled war or emotionally charged one. The war is inevitability. It’s meticulously planned, methodically executed, fiercely fought. It doesn’t only charge you, it makes you think. 

Author has fudged timelines. So Playwright Bhasa, Jain Tirthankaras, Shakyas, Vajjis, Sikhi Buddha and various Greek scholars are contemporaries of Ram. This appears unnecessary. 

Addition to my collection of beautiful sentences:

What makes life worth living is figuring out what is worth dying for. And then dying for it.

The series is not over. The Vishnu is established by a magnificent victory over evil. Now the real work lies ahead. It’s to give an alternative to the people and lead them to a new way of life. That will be the next book amiss the series. 

The books of this series have come after long intervals. One forgets the details of previous book by the time next one is out. Solution? Release next one without a long gap and provide the summary of previous story in each book of the series. Are the publishers listening?

Why did I read this book? Author.

What did I like? It’s Ram Setu engineering, war.  

What I didn't like? Last war lacks grandeur and magnificence. 

Read if you are reading and would continue to read the series. Otherwise don’t bother.