The Peshwa: War of the deceivers

"The Peshwa: War of the deceivers" by Ram Sivasankaran - Fight with scorpions!

This book is published by Westland in 2018 and has 496 pages. This is Book 2 of "The Peshwa" series. 

Book 2 starts 6 years after the end of first book. Now Bajirao is established as Peshwa. Emperor Muhammad Shah of Delhi has hatched a grand plan with Nizam Ul Mulk and Maharana Ram Singh to finish Bajirao Peshwe and Maratha confederacy once and for all. Scorpions, the silent assassins of Mughal empire are unleashed. A man claiming to be dead Chimajiappa, younger brother of Bajirao, is accepted in Shaniwar wada. Anamik, basterd son of traitor Trimbakrao Dabhade, has gained Peshwa's confidence but many in Maratha confederacy distrust him. Anamik is also working for  Nizam.

Is Anamik on Bajirao's side or on Nizam's side? What is the grand plan of Mohammad Shah? Who will Bajirao lose? Will the Scorpions succeed? Will Bajirao meet Mastani?

This book takes the story forward. Bajirao has plans to conquer Delhi. But there is a truce between Mughal Badshah and Chatrapati Shahu of Satara. Both parties want to throw it in the dustbin. Who will do it first? Although Bajirao has established his reign, he is losing a number of men to the Mughal secret order of assassins, now reporting to Nizam. The die is cast. Nizam plays a very devious game. A game that will destroy Bajirao's reputation and then kill him and install Nizam's agent masquerading as Chimajiappa.

The story is interesting. It slows down on occasions but manages to keep reader interested. In this book, Anamik is the one who moves all the pieces. He is the double agent. He is the real deal. He is trusted by Bajirao despite contrary advise by his close ones. Anamik is the key. Bajirao, on the other hand doesn't appear decisive. He does not appear the supremely confident, brave and decisive like in Book 1. Why Nizam confirms allegiance to Mohammad Shah,  rather than remaining independent, remains unclear. Rasool, the Narban (eunuch) scorpion, is an interesting character, but it's exit is abrupt. Mastani appears in the story along with Chatrasal, but doesn't meet Bajirao yet. Apparently it's for next book. Author doesn't say how many books make this series. There is a big twist towards end of the book, but one can guess as it comes closer. 

Author's lack of knowledge about Peshwe customs is apparent. (I had made this remark while reviewing Book 1 as well). Fir example, author shows that Peshwe women take pallu over their head. They never did. Bajirao is called Rao, whereas he was really called Rau. Kashibai wears vermilion in parting of her hair, which is not a Maharashtra custom. 

In review of first book I wondered the relevance of 'The lion and the Stallion'. It becomes clear in this book. Lion is Mughal empire and Stallion is Maratha confederacy. All in all author had strung together a nice fiction on historical character. Look forward to next book. 

Why did I read this book? Book 1 was good. 

What I didn't like? Confrontation with scorpions.

What did I like? Last twist. 

Recommend reading.

The Peshwa by Ram Sivasankaran

"The Peshwa" by Ram Sivasankaran. This book is published by Westland in 2015 and has 338 pages. This is author's debut novel.

Peshwe Balaji Vishwanath Bhat marches to Delhi to rescue Rajmata Yesubai. Young Bajirao accompanies him. Nizam-Ul-Mulq plans to assassinate Peshwe. Peshwe's actions set events in motion. Bajirao and Nizam are destined to meet again.

What is the action? What happens to Nizam? Why is he against Peshwe? What was Peshwe's action? Why does Bajirao break his promise?

Due to the recent release of a Hindi movie on Bajirao, general public has become aware of this lesser known historical character who ruled the Maratha kingdom as Peshwe and who won every single battle he fought in his career. Author has chosen the period between; before Bajirao became Peshwa and his first war after he became Peshwa. In this book his father Balaji Vishwanath is a prominent character.

This book uses historical characters to tell a story that is semi fiction. Historical events are tweaked to create a story of author's liking.

Narration is good. Story is interesting. Bajirao is not shown larger than life. His relationship with his father, his wife and Chatrapati Shahu is shown very well.

The book however has a few flaws. It shows that Chimajiappa died when he was @10. Bajirao was called Rau, but the book addresses him Rao. Shinde are called Scindia. Actually Scindia was a later transformation. There are a few more. The elaboration of such details gives away that the author is not very knowledgeable about the Chitpavan Brahmin and Maratha customs of the time.

The book was released after the release of movie. It's it author's attempt to capitalize on the publicity of movie 'Bajirao Mastani'? Author has also introduced Mastani in epilogue thereby making provision for a sequel.

I should mention good cover of this book. It shows an intent Bajirao riding a stallion. However it's not clear why the book is called 'The Peshwa: The lion and the stallion'?

A good book. Recommend reading.