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Lords of the Deccan : Southern India from the Chalukyas to the Cholas
The history of the vast Indian subcontinent is usually told as a series of ephemeral moments when a large part of modern-day India was ruled by a single sovereign. There is an obsession with foreign invasions and the polities of the Gangetic plains, while the histories of the rest of the subcontinent have been reduced to little more than dry footnotes. Now, in this brilliant and critically acclaimed debut book, Anirudh Kanisetti shines a light into the darkness, bringing alive for the lay-reader the early medieval Deccan, from the sixth century CE to the twelfth century CE, in all its splendour and riotous glory.
Kanisetti takes us back in time to witness the birth of the Chalukyas, a dynasty that shaped southern India for centuries. Beginning at a time when Hinduism was still establishing itself through the Deccan, when the landscape was bereft of temples, he explores the extraordinary transformation of the peninsula over half a millennium. In vivid and colourful detail, Kanisetti describes how the mighty empires of medieval India were made: how temple-building and language manipulation were used as political tools; how royals involved themselves in religious struggles between Jains and Buddhists, Shaivas and Vaishnavas; and how awe-inspiring rituals were used to elevate kings over their rivals and subjects. In doing so, he transforms medieval Indian royals, merchants and commoners from obscure figures to complex, vibrant people. Kanisetti takes us into the minds of powerful rulers of the Chalukya, Pallava, Rashtrakuta and Chola dynasties, and animates them and their world with humanity and depth.
It is a world of bloody elephant warfare and brutal military stratagems; of alliances and betrayals; where a broken king commits ritual suicide, and a shrewd hunchbacked prince founds his own kingdom under his powerful brother’s nose. This is a world where a king writes a bawdy play that is a parable for religious contestation; where the might of India’s rulers and the wealth of its cities were talked of from Arabia to Southeast Asia; and where south Indian kingdoms serially invaded and defeated those of the north. This painstakingly researched forgotten history of India will keep you riveted and enthralled. You will never see the history of the subcontinent the same way again.
Kanisetti takes us back in time to witness the birth of the Chalukyas, a dynasty that shaped southern India for centuries. Beginning at a time when Hinduism was still establishing itself through the Deccan, when the landscape was bereft of temples, he explores the extraordinary transformation of the peninsula over half a millennium. In vivid and colourful detail, Kanisetti describes how the mighty empires of medieval India were made: how temple-building and language manipulation were used as political tools; how royals involved themselves in religious struggles between Jains and Buddhists, Shaivas and Vaishnavas; and how awe-inspiring rituals were used to elevate kings over their rivals and subjects. In doing so, he transforms medieval Indian royals, merchants and commoners from obscure figures to complex, vibrant people. Kanisetti takes us into the minds of powerful rulers of the Chalukya, Pallava, Rashtrakuta and Chola dynasties, and animates them and their world with humanity and depth.
It is a world of bloody elephant warfare and brutal military stratagems; of alliances and betrayals; where a broken king commits ritual suicide, and a shrewd hunchbacked prince founds his own kingdom under his powerful brother’s nose. This is a world where a king writes a bawdy play that is a parable for religious contestation; where the might of India’s rulers and the wealth of its cities were talked of from Arabia to Southeast Asia; and where south Indian kingdoms serially invaded and defeated those of the north. This painstakingly researched forgotten history of India will keep you riveted and enthralled. You will never see the history of the subcontinent the same way again.
480 pages, Hardcover
Published January 30, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews
February 15, 2022
I picked up the book with a lot of interest, as this was covering some of the dynasties that I have read about and wanted to know the latest and greatest about them. Now, halfway through the book, I should say I am quite disappointed.
The author makes too many assumptions, generalizations and claims without adequate records. If this was a fictional story that is a different case, but not when it is claimed as a book of history. Unsuspecting readers will not know where history ends and where imagination starts. That is the biggest drawback of the book.
The author also makes several mistakes in interpreation because of him relying solely on English translations (likely) of inscriptions or other works. There is a general tendency in the book to show some traditons of Hinduism in a poor light, with some preposterous claims. This might have resulted by his ideology or referring to only western interpretations of Indian culture and history. For example, the hints of some of the temple destruction he makes is simply not attested in the inscriptions. Instead there are inscriptions which go to say an invading king actually made newer grants to a temple in a place he invaded. In my opinion, without a good understanding Indian languages, the structure of literature etc, writing books of this genre does not cut it. As the author himself admits, he does not know Kannada or Samskrta, in which languages a big chunk of the source material for these dynasties under discussion are available in.
On the positive side, there are quite a lot of references, for those who would like to check out more sources, and come to their own conclusions, and to separate the wheat from the chaff.
I may update the number of stars after finishing reading the book. This review is based on my reading of just over the first half of the book.
The author makes too many assumptions, generalizations and claims without adequate records. If this was a fictional story that is a different case, but not when it is claimed as a book of history. Unsuspecting readers will not know where history ends and where imagination starts. That is the biggest drawback of the book.
The author also makes several mistakes in interpreation because of him relying solely on English translations (likely) of inscriptions or other works. There is a general tendency in the book to show some traditons of Hinduism in a poor light, with some preposterous claims. This might have resulted by his ideology or referring to only western interpretations of Indian culture and history. For example, the hints of some of the temple destruction he makes is simply not attested in the inscriptions. Instead there are inscriptions which go to say an invading king actually made newer grants to a temple in a place he invaded. In my opinion, without a good understanding Indian languages, the structure of literature etc, writing books of this genre does not cut it. As the author himself admits, he does not know Kannada or Samskrta, in which languages a big chunk of the source material for these dynasties under discussion are available in.
On the positive side, there are quite a lot of references, for those who would like to check out more sources, and come to their own conclusions, and to separate the wheat from the chaff.
I may update the number of stars after finishing reading the book. This review is based on my reading of just over the first half of the book.
April 30, 2022
Maybe, might be, probably, must be, could be, perhaps, possibly.....
If you wonder why I am starting this review with so many assumptions, please note that I completed reading this thick book, which is literally full of all these verbs/adverbs. The author is obsessed with many uncertainties and assumptions. By the way, it is supposed to be a book on history.
It is evident that the author relies on Western views on Indian heritage and civilization. I doubt if he ever attempted to read and understand what Indian scholars had written. It is not a book on true history; instead, it is a book on the author's imagination.
As per the author, no king seems to have built any temple out of devotion. All are symbols to proclaim victory, superiority, or other intentions. It is funny that the author finds every sculpture symbolic, and his theory for explaining the same appears to be more amusing. He makes subtle claims indirectly that Buddhism is older than Hinduism. His hatred towards the Chola Kings is too apparent.
I am concerned that the foreigners who read this well-publicized book may wrongly perceive our history and culture.
Only 75% of this expensive book has content. The remaining 25% is filled with the introduction and Bibliography sections.
After reading this not-a-page-turner kind of book slowly for the past several weeks, I wonder what my takeaway is. I could not figure out the objective of the book. It is neither a history nor a novel. Is it trying to provide a brief account or a detailed history?
Such a disappointment....I blame myself for wasting my time, energy, and money reading this book.
If you wonder why I am starting this review with so many assumptions, please note that I completed reading this thick book, which is literally full of all these verbs/adverbs. The author is obsessed with many uncertainties and assumptions. By the way, it is supposed to be a book on history.
It is evident that the author relies on Western views on Indian heritage and civilization. I doubt if he ever attempted to read and understand what Indian scholars had written. It is not a book on true history; instead, it is a book on the author's imagination.
As per the author, no king seems to have built any temple out of devotion. All are symbols to proclaim victory, superiority, or other intentions. It is funny that the author finds every sculpture symbolic, and his theory for explaining the same appears to be more amusing. He makes subtle claims indirectly that Buddhism is older than Hinduism. His hatred towards the Chola Kings is too apparent.
I am concerned that the foreigners who read this well-publicized book may wrongly perceive our history and culture.
Only 75% of this expensive book has content. The remaining 25% is filled with the introduction and Bibliography sections.
After reading this not-a-page-turner kind of book slowly for the past several weeks, I wonder what my takeaway is. I could not figure out the objective of the book. It is neither a history nor a novel. Is it trying to provide a brief account or a detailed history?
Such a disappointment....I blame myself for wasting my time, energy, and money reading this book.
February 16, 2022
Anirudh Kanisetti is to history what Arnab Goswami is to news. Shrill, bombastic and polemical - and the worst of all, editorializing. This is his first book and it shows. He seems to struggle with making the transition from a hobbyist podcaster historian to actually writing about history. Just like someone who is used to doing running commentary being forced to do a match report. The written word is weightier, and the reader expects contemplation and context. Using one's fertile imagination to come up with colorful descriptions cannot make up for the lack of rigour, depth and accuracy.
Above all, the editorializing of content to suit the author's polemical preferences is jarringly evident throughout the book. This book is not real history, but the author's imagination of what history could look like. Or more precisely, what he wants history to be imagined as - irrespective of what facts might suggest.
Would prefer a dour and factual account of history any day over this adjective heavy juvenile orientalism in the name of making history more "interesting".
Above all, the editorializing of content to suit the author's polemical preferences is jarringly evident throughout the book. This book is not real history, but the author's imagination of what history could look like. Or more precisely, what he wants history to be imagined as - irrespective of what facts might suggest.
Would prefer a dour and factual account of history any day over this adjective heavy juvenile orientalism in the name of making history more "interesting".
August 12, 2024
What Anirudh Kanisetti has Presented in his Magnum opus, “ Lords of the Deccan” is a dramatic and sensational narration that keeps you on the edge of your seat trying to finish the book at one go.
Make no mistakes, Kanisetti is no academic Historian. He is a History writer who builds a chosen narration out of historical research by others. So it is natural it comes with a POV that is built on his interpretation and supposition. In this narration, Kanisetti purports to present a view on Medieval Deccan Powers, their rise, their expansion and their sunset. The Powers he means are the Chlaukyas and Rashtragudas. Every other Dynasty is presented from the viewpoint of the above mentioned Dynasties. He also Speaks about Cholas but about that, much later.
So with that in mind, he sets out to outline the Rise of Vatapi Chalukyas, and their Conquests over Pallavas. The popular narrative of Narasimha Varma Pallava taking revenge on Pulikesin II and the Sacking of Vatapi after which popular narrations consign the Chalukyas to oblivion, is now unravelled by him. This would now show us Vatapi Chalukyas in full Brilliance along with their Cousins across in Vengi in the east and Lata in the North. Their dazzling campaigns in the north and Successive Attacks on the Pallavas leading to the sunset of the illustrious Pallavas is all written with an extra dose of Sensationalism which he applies Generously across this book. He reveals a similarly engaging Narration on the Rashtragudas and Later the Kalyani Chalukyas, all of whom assume the title of Vallabhas connecting them back to Vatapi Chalukyas. For this brilliant narrative alone, this is definitely a book that can never be missed.In all of these narration, apart from showing each King, their personal attitudes and action, he brings out following aspects of the mediaeval political process.
- Every Dynasty though started with a Humble beginning needed the kings to create a shining narrative on their ancestry linking them to Puranic figures to capture the imagination of their Subjects and to Legitimise their rule. Every dynast that he presents in the book repeats this without fail.
- The Kings starting with the Vatapi Chalukyas were increasingly powerful Propaganda masters who built narratives around their rule, their Conquests using Dharma Shashtra as the canvas irrespective of reality.
- The Temples, Offerings, Grants and various other Projects were all part of this Propaganda more than Religious adherence. They aligned with the Popular religious movements as and when needed.
Expectedly this has created a lot of negative reactions. But the references he brings out to support his claims holds up the merit of these claims.
Dynasts other than the above mentioned Dynasties, the others seemed to have been swatted away with a left hand without batting an eyelid. The Kadambas, Gangas, Pallavas, even the Cholas. And Specifically Cholas.
I can understand that Kanisetti wanted to highlight Chalukyas and Rashtragutas. Rightfully so. I now have a much more holistic picture on Chalukyas and Rastragudas than what we have glimpsed from the lopsided window of Chola or Pallava conquest. I really appreciate him for that.
While doing so, he had to downplay the glitter of the much glorified Imperial Cholas. Tha i understand. What I don’t understand is his feelings towards them and why he deliberately wants to treat Cholas with contempt and slight derision. I am not sure what they did to deserve this?
All the pontificating on the other side of Cauvery about how divine and rightful their wars against Chalukyas definitely is a Propaganda that has stuck on across the century I get it. These Narratives have glossed over gross violations and inhuman acts of the Chola Army over the civilians and soldiers alike on the Chalukyan side, during the war is a dreadful story. That very badly needed debunking and he has done a good job on it.
But then as per his own narration, every other king did that and covered it up with a generous dose of propaganda with elaborate Constructions, temples, grants to Bhramins and poetry all registered on the edicts they laid. These were the norm well before a few centuries to that of the Cholas. Only that Imperial Cholas were much grander and smarter than their Predecessors. This was well documented by other researchers / writers who wrote on specific aspects of Tamizhagam like Kanakalatha Mukunt, Neelakanda Shashtri, Charles Allen and many others. But he dismisses all that. I can take that even if his sources for the narrative are convincing. He deserves his opinion.
One striking narrative is the aspect of the ascension of Kulothunga to the Chola throne. In the popular narrative it has always been maintained that Rajendra’s sons all agreed that they will form the Chalukyan Chola line with Kulothunga, their nephew from their sisters marriage to Vengi prince, as they did not have male offspring and for that reason they brought him up as Chola prince in delta. That all seemed too fantastic. In this book Kanisetti paints a far more complex picture of sibling rivalry between Rajendra’s sons who had sons who all somehow disappeared from history. That is definitely interesting.
However his derision is so evident when he decides to revert to addressing Kulothunga as Rajiga throughout the rest of his book.While he is generously grants every other king from Chalukyan and Rastraguda pantheon as Vallabha, it is curious why he reserves such a derision and disdain over a Chola emperor. I wonder what he did to earn that ire from Kanisetti?
His justification that Kulothunga was referred to that way in one of Chalukyan edicts looks flimsy and fickle. Apparently, Rajiga is a disdainful way Rajendran is called in Telugu areas -
Just like Choda for Chola and Temuli for Thamizh!
While doing So he also again paints “ Rajiga” as someone who is a vagabond away from his parents and is ‘hanging out’ with his maternal relatives and a doubtful character clinging to illegitimate aspirations. I simply would question that narration and assumption as to why the already crowded Chola hereditary contenders would have one more potential candidate among them? I think the real story might be somewhere in between.
But then he consigns Kulothunga - I to footnotes of Chola sunset which in itself is laughable and highly suspicious. It is well documented that Kulothunga - I took the Chola star to shining heights further. But again that was swatted away as fiction of the larger masses by Kanisetti.Of course the dynasty was completely obliterated only during Rajendra III by Maravarman Kulasekara Pandyan - I some generations later after Kulothunga-I. Even that did not matter to Kanisetti.
While Kulothunga reduced Kalyani Chalukyas to a smaller empire until Hoysalas completely decimated them ( of course their cousins in Gujarat still existed), they were still granted Emperor Status. Kanisetti does not extend that courtesy to Cholas.
I suspect he is catering to a specific audience banking on sensationalism. This contrasts with a much more balanced and nuanced approach some other contemporary historical writers like Manu Pillai take.
He takes a slice of history and generously extrapolates and peppers it with liberal doses of sensationalism and serves it as a complete history wherever it suits him. This I did not find in Manu Pillai ( at least what I have read).
His effort in justifying his approach by referring to Peter Frankopan is very shallow. Frankopan’s Silk Road series, while grand and fantastic, looks at the specific slice of history from 20,000 feet high glossing over time and context to suit a narration. Kanisetti invoking that to justify his dismissal of traditional historians like Neelakanda Shashtri , Thapar et al is laughable and highly motivated. Like the propaganda of the emperors he presents, I suspect he is craving for legitimacy and establishing himself above the traditional historians. This is an act Even his recent sponsor William Dalrymple does not dare. Dalrymple, while a much more experienced, nuanced and engaging writer, is just that. A historical writer. Not a professional academic historian or original researcher by any stretch of imagination. For that matter, Frankopan also is that.
At this rate, the grand statement that Dalrymple used to introduce Kanisetti as one that wishes to change Delhi centric north narrative with a South Indian one falls flat and hollow. Within a few years we might even see him on the side of Vikram Sampath, Rajeev Malhotra et all and we should not be surprised at that.
Make no mistakes, Kanisetti is no academic Historian. He is a History writer who builds a chosen narration out of historical research by others. So it is natural it comes with a POV that is built on his interpretation and supposition. In this narration, Kanisetti purports to present a view on Medieval Deccan Powers, their rise, their expansion and their sunset. The Powers he means are the Chlaukyas and Rashtragudas. Every other Dynasty is presented from the viewpoint of the above mentioned Dynasties. He also Speaks about Cholas but about that, much later.
So with that in mind, he sets out to outline the Rise of Vatapi Chalukyas, and their Conquests over Pallavas. The popular narrative of Narasimha Varma Pallava taking revenge on Pulikesin II and the Sacking of Vatapi after which popular narrations consign the Chalukyas to oblivion, is now unravelled by him. This would now show us Vatapi Chalukyas in full Brilliance along with their Cousins across in Vengi in the east and Lata in the North. Their dazzling campaigns in the north and Successive Attacks on the Pallavas leading to the sunset of the illustrious Pallavas is all written with an extra dose of Sensationalism which he applies Generously across this book. He reveals a similarly engaging Narration on the Rashtragudas and Later the Kalyani Chalukyas, all of whom assume the title of Vallabhas connecting them back to Vatapi Chalukyas. For this brilliant narrative alone, this is definitely a book that can never be missed.In all of these narration, apart from showing each King, their personal attitudes and action, he brings out following aspects of the mediaeval political process.
- Every Dynasty though started with a Humble beginning needed the kings to create a shining narrative on their ancestry linking them to Puranic figures to capture the imagination of their Subjects and to Legitimise their rule. Every dynast that he presents in the book repeats this without fail.
- The Kings starting with the Vatapi Chalukyas were increasingly powerful Propaganda masters who built narratives around their rule, their Conquests using Dharma Shashtra as the canvas irrespective of reality.
- The Temples, Offerings, Grants and various other Projects were all part of this Propaganda more than Religious adherence. They aligned with the Popular religious movements as and when needed.
Expectedly this has created a lot of negative reactions. But the references he brings out to support his claims holds up the merit of these claims.
Dynasts other than the above mentioned Dynasties, the others seemed to have been swatted away with a left hand without batting an eyelid. The Kadambas, Gangas, Pallavas, even the Cholas. And Specifically Cholas.
I can understand that Kanisetti wanted to highlight Chalukyas and Rashtragutas. Rightfully so. I now have a much more holistic picture on Chalukyas and Rastragudas than what we have glimpsed from the lopsided window of Chola or Pallava conquest. I really appreciate him for that.
While doing so, he had to downplay the glitter of the much glorified Imperial Cholas. Tha i understand. What I don’t understand is his feelings towards them and why he deliberately wants to treat Cholas with contempt and slight derision. I am not sure what they did to deserve this?
All the pontificating on the other side of Cauvery about how divine and rightful their wars against Chalukyas definitely is a Propaganda that has stuck on across the century I get it. These Narratives have glossed over gross violations and inhuman acts of the Chola Army over the civilians and soldiers alike on the Chalukyan side, during the war is a dreadful story. That very badly needed debunking and he has done a good job on it.
But then as per his own narration, every other king did that and covered it up with a generous dose of propaganda with elaborate Constructions, temples, grants to Bhramins and poetry all registered on the edicts they laid. These were the norm well before a few centuries to that of the Cholas. Only that Imperial Cholas were much grander and smarter than their Predecessors. This was well documented by other researchers / writers who wrote on specific aspects of Tamizhagam like Kanakalatha Mukunt, Neelakanda Shashtri, Charles Allen and many others. But he dismisses all that. I can take that even if his sources for the narrative are convincing. He deserves his opinion.
One striking narrative is the aspect of the ascension of Kulothunga to the Chola throne. In the popular narrative it has always been maintained that Rajendra’s sons all agreed that they will form the Chalukyan Chola line with Kulothunga, their nephew from their sisters marriage to Vengi prince, as they did not have male offspring and for that reason they brought him up as Chola prince in delta. That all seemed too fantastic. In this book Kanisetti paints a far more complex picture of sibling rivalry between Rajendra’s sons who had sons who all somehow disappeared from history. That is definitely interesting.
However his derision is so evident when he decides to revert to addressing Kulothunga as Rajiga throughout the rest of his book.While he is generously grants every other king from Chalukyan and Rastraguda pantheon as Vallabha, it is curious why he reserves such a derision and disdain over a Chola emperor. I wonder what he did to earn that ire from Kanisetti?
His justification that Kulothunga was referred to that way in one of Chalukyan edicts looks flimsy and fickle. Apparently, Rajiga is a disdainful way Rajendran is called in Telugu areas -
Just like Choda for Chola and Temuli for Thamizh!
While doing So he also again paints “ Rajiga” as someone who is a vagabond away from his parents and is ‘hanging out’ with his maternal relatives and a doubtful character clinging to illegitimate aspirations. I simply would question that narration and assumption as to why the already crowded Chola hereditary contenders would have one more potential candidate among them? I think the real story might be somewhere in between.
But then he consigns Kulothunga - I to footnotes of Chola sunset which in itself is laughable and highly suspicious. It is well documented that Kulothunga - I took the Chola star to shining heights further. But again that was swatted away as fiction of the larger masses by Kanisetti.Of course the dynasty was completely obliterated only during Rajendra III by Maravarman Kulasekara Pandyan - I some generations later after Kulothunga-I. Even that did not matter to Kanisetti.
While Kulothunga reduced Kalyani Chalukyas to a smaller empire until Hoysalas completely decimated them ( of course their cousins in Gujarat still existed), they were still granted Emperor Status. Kanisetti does not extend that courtesy to Cholas.
I suspect he is catering to a specific audience banking on sensationalism. This contrasts with a much more balanced and nuanced approach some other contemporary historical writers like Manu Pillai take.
He takes a slice of history and generously extrapolates and peppers it with liberal doses of sensationalism and serves it as a complete history wherever it suits him. This I did not find in Manu Pillai ( at least what I have read).
His effort in justifying his approach by referring to Peter Frankopan is very shallow. Frankopan’s Silk Road series, while grand and fantastic, looks at the specific slice of history from 20,000 feet high glossing over time and context to suit a narration. Kanisetti invoking that to justify his dismissal of traditional historians like Neelakanda Shashtri , Thapar et al is laughable and highly motivated. Like the propaganda of the emperors he presents, I suspect he is craving for legitimacy and establishing himself above the traditional historians. This is an act Even his recent sponsor William Dalrymple does not dare. Dalrymple, while a much more experienced, nuanced and engaging writer, is just that. A historical writer. Not a professional academic historian or original researcher by any stretch of imagination. For that matter, Frankopan also is that.
At this rate, the grand statement that Dalrymple used to introduce Kanisetti as one that wishes to change Delhi centric north narrative with a South Indian one falls flat and hollow. Within a few years we might even see him on the side of Vikram Sampath, Rajeev Malhotra et all and we should not be surprised at that.
Read
May 30, 2022There are several major problems with this book, for most of which, hiding behind the argument that it is a 'popular' history will simply not do. I will not raise the charge that the author has not mastered the two languages that were necessary to write this book; for one, this handicap the author has already admitted and two, this book is anyway stipulated to be based significantly on others' secondary literature.
First. Why this book? While the author claims that most history is seen to be a history of rulers and elites and that he would like a departure, we see nothing really in that direction in this book. It is almost entirely a history of rulers alone; most political histories: like the likes of KAN Sastry while writing strictly dynastic histories would assign sections of the book for other facets. Since this book is intended to be a well-rounded story, there is not even that compensatory prize. This is symptomatic of this genre called 'Popular Histories' in India which more often than not end up being dynastic histories; this phenomenon does more harm than good because it is founded upon and further proves that only lives and accomplishments of manly kings can ever be popular. And worse, academic history which has long grown out of political history almost entirely comes to be discredit unfairly.
Next, the writing. I entered the book with much concession. Of course, he must indulge in description. But this book was far from communicative and descriptive. It was on the one hand, highly speculative - imagining at every point, what may have happened so much so that the imaginative prowess forms almost the bulk of the book. Second, it is highly sentimental - reminiscent of his nemeses, Feature films and TV serials. This book needed a tectonic shift from Anirudh's podcasting attitude and that shift could barely be felt.
Some idiosyncrasies in the book revealed the fault lines of the work. At multiple points, he says - "we do not know what he thought that at this time." Why even apologise for that? There is absolutely almost no reason to know what any 8th or 9th century Indian thought at any point. No historian has ever made the promise that he would reveal that; for our sources simply do not permit that. The reason for his having to say this is simple: he has given such an intimate glimpse of each of his characters (who become in the book heroes - and the Deccan being his 'party' so to speak) that he becomes accountable to even their inner worlds. In other words, these glimpses are mostly mythical and romantic. Another idiosyncrasy is - more archaeology should be conducted in this site; he says this about many of the great Deccan cities include Malkhed, Paithan, and Kalyana and even Ellora! Is it not an assumption that digs have not been conducted to the degree that circumstances permit?
All of this having said, there is some good that the book does; it brings some nice citations to the fore. And I have promptly downloaded all the very fascinating papers and books he has referred to. Including the ingenious analysis of the Descent of Ganga, the story of Madhumati, a Muslim named Muhammad who served in the Rashtrakuta administration, and on Muslim responses to Ellora.
First. Why this book? While the author claims that most history is seen to be a history of rulers and elites and that he would like a departure, we see nothing really in that direction in this book. It is almost entirely a history of rulers alone; most political histories: like the likes of KAN Sastry while writing strictly dynastic histories would assign sections of the book for other facets. Since this book is intended to be a well-rounded story, there is not even that compensatory prize. This is symptomatic of this genre called 'Popular Histories' in India which more often than not end up being dynastic histories; this phenomenon does more harm than good because it is founded upon and further proves that only lives and accomplishments of manly kings can ever be popular. And worse, academic history which has long grown out of political history almost entirely comes to be discredit unfairly.
Next, the writing. I entered the book with much concession. Of course, he must indulge in description. But this book was far from communicative and descriptive. It was on the one hand, highly speculative - imagining at every point, what may have happened so much so that the imaginative prowess forms almost the bulk of the book. Second, it is highly sentimental - reminiscent of his nemeses, Feature films and TV serials. This book needed a tectonic shift from Anirudh's podcasting attitude and that shift could barely be felt.
Some idiosyncrasies in the book revealed the fault lines of the work. At multiple points, he says - "we do not know what he thought that at this time." Why even apologise for that? There is absolutely almost no reason to know what any 8th or 9th century Indian thought at any point. No historian has ever made the promise that he would reveal that; for our sources simply do not permit that. The reason for his having to say this is simple: he has given such an intimate glimpse of each of his characters (who become in the book heroes - and the Deccan being his 'party' so to speak) that he becomes accountable to even their inner worlds. In other words, these glimpses are mostly mythical and romantic. Another idiosyncrasy is - more archaeology should be conducted in this site; he says this about many of the great Deccan cities include Malkhed, Paithan, and Kalyana and even Ellora! Is it not an assumption that digs have not been conducted to the degree that circumstances permit?
All of this having said, there is some good that the book does; it brings some nice citations to the fore. And I have promptly downloaded all the very fascinating papers and books he has referred to. Including the ingenious analysis of the Descent of Ganga, the story of Madhumati, a Muslim named Muhammad who served in the Rashtrakuta administration, and on Muslim responses to Ellora.
May 28, 2022
Read the full review at my substack
History is fascinating. Bharat’s history is enthralling.
Not the version we were taught in schools. That kind of history is dry, sanitized, told from a jaundiced perspective, and full of propaganda. We are taught about the Indus Valley civilization (our history is ancient as we are often told), the Mauryas (the greatest dynasty ever), Ashoka (brilliant), Mughals (benign rulers despite being from a different culture and religion) and the British (bad colonizers).
Of course, none of this is even close to the truth. For one, there were other civilizations that were equally old and made as much progress as the Harappans did. The Aryan invasion theory is now proved to be defunct, as is the fact that Dravidians were not backward, but rather had a thriving culture of their own.
The Mauryas were great but so were the Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Cholas, Cheras, Pandyas, Pratiharas, Palas etc, If Ashoka was brilliant, so were Narasimha Varman, RajaRaja Chola, Bhoja of Dhara, Amoghavarsha, and many kings, who actually had longer lasting dynasties.
Read the full review at my substack
History is fascinating. Bharat’s history is enthralling.
Not the version we were taught in schools. That kind of history is dry, sanitized, told from a jaundiced perspective, and full of propaganda. We are taught about the Indus Valley civilization (our history is ancient as we are often told), the Mauryas (the greatest dynasty ever), Ashoka (brilliant), Mughals (benign rulers despite being from a different culture and religion) and the British (bad colonizers).
Of course, none of this is even close to the truth. For one, there were other civilizations that were equally old and made as much progress as the Harappans did. The Aryan invasion theory is now proved to be defunct, as is the fact that Dravidians were not backward, but rather had a thriving culture of their own.
The Mauryas were great but so were the Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Cholas, Cheras, Pandyas, Pratiharas, Palas etc, If Ashoka was brilliant, so were Narasimha Varman, RajaRaja Chola, Bhoja of Dhara, Amoghavarsha, and many kings, who actually had longer lasting dynasties.
Read the full review at my substack
March 12, 2024
Standing ovation! Thoroughly enjoyed reading this debut work by Anirudh Kanisetti. I first discovered him through his podcasts ‘Echoes of India’ and ‘Yuddha’ (both highly recommended), and been following his career as a popular historian ever since. The reader needs to be aware (and the author makes it amply clear) that this is a work of popular history with a liberal sprinkling of author's imaginations and interpretations, while the main narrative is supported by several references; the author makes it easy to distinguish one from the other. This is the kind of work necessary to bridge the gap between an academic historian and a lay reader, and this book does the job very well.
February 10, 2022
This was a fascinating Book which gave insight to Empires which we often overlook. The Focus was on the Deccan Empires...The Chalukyas , Rashtrakutas and Late Chalukyas whereas obviously the Deccan story will be incomplete without her forever enemy the Tamilian Empires like the Pandya obviously and the famous one The Cholas. One thing overall the picture you get from these Stories is clear that those times like before and after it were very violent times with wars , loots, plunders and rapes being common whenever one Army attacked another one's City. The history we are told today that foreigners from outside only plundered and killed is false...it was common theme among all kingdoms and it was not something unique or specific to some group or religion. Just see what Cholas used to do when they attacked Chalukya cities. That was the way in those times. Another fascinating thing is the role of Sanskrit (which was a royal language) & use of the God whichever one was getting popular around that time... and try to associate these aspects it with your royal family to gain legitimacy and create a divine aura around your family . Building temples was a common medium for this goal as well as obviously to satisfy the demand of vocal religious groups of their population. Many Gods which today are mainstream were nowhere as famous and popular among the masses whereas the ones who were popular today are nowhere popular . You can see gradual development of new legends and myths and also urbanisation of tribal communities into Kingdom and Empires. Also the importance of Indian Ocean trade is notable... while Baghdad in West Asia was the most prosperous city around that time simultaneously in Deccan was Manyakheta of Rashtrakuta was similarly prosperous and grand. Many Traders and scholars from Arab world were there in Deccan while similarly in Deccan ones in Arab. The growth of some of the most influential and powerful trading guild is also fascinating to see which influences trade in these warring kingdoms a lot. Also another myth , Cholas didn't ever colonised South East...they just raided it and got various loots from the region. Thus this book breaks many more myths and tells many things such as the architecture remains ,the language & political legacy & obviously the religion legacy of those times. It's a wonderful stories of those Emperors who ruled over these Deccan Superpowers and how they must have lived, thought and fought in those times. The description of Medieval wars is fascinating as author describes how Soldiers must have fought with quite lively description of it and also how they may have gotten killed or how ancient tanks... aka The Elephants were used !!Thus Despite severe lack of many Historical documents of that era the author presents a very lively picture of those times bringing life into these 1400 years old Emperors , their family and their vast grand Empires .
January 16, 2022
A well-researched, exciting book that focuses on the dynasties that played pivotal roles in shaping the medieval history of the Deccan.
July 24, 2022
Anirudh Kanisetti follows in the footsteps of modern history-tellers like William Dalrymple, writing powerfully about some of less known dynasties. He writes with flair and imagination - you will be drawn back to the book again and again, because of the vivid picture that he paints of a dynamic period when India was in a flux. This is perhaps history as it should have been taught in secondary schools, making it all come alive. The work is especially valuable because it deals with Deccan, an area which is as ignored by many of us as the Northeast, perhaps mainly because of our obsession with the Mughal and the British periods. It is a fascinating read, one that will add depth to your understanding of this ignored period and region. On display are the raids and rivalries of powerful kings ranging from Chalukyas to Cholas. Being an art historian, Anirudh has a natural flair for the colourful and the extravagant, and he gives full reign to his imagination, tapping into a rich vein of numerous primary and secondary sources.
The interweaving of legends, literature and history is engrossing. An example is the pun played by a Chola king on the name Vatapi city, which happens to be similar to the legendary Vatapi demon digested by Agastya.
However, in trying to make readable a dry subject, Aniruddh has also made some difficult choices, (starting with the title, which no historian would probably ever be dug up with). As a result, it is sometimes difficult to know which part of the book is history and which Aniruddh’s imagination. Though he warns you of this right in the beginning, he also promises that he will alert you whenever he gets off the narrow historical trail through the woods and goes off into the wilds of his imagination. This is a promise he doesn’t keep.
He also starts off by saying that history shouldn’t be all about kings and emperors, and then proceeds to do precisely that. Yet again he says that he will not make comparisons between rulers or pass judgement - and then proceeds to do precisely that. Harshavardhan is repeatedly called a warlord, instead of the Emperor he is generally known as. In fact Aniruddh calls him just Harsha, leaving you to figure out on your own which Harsha is he talking about. Borrowing from Banabhatta’s ‘hyperbolic’ imagery in Harshacharita (ch.1, fn. 7) he also tells us that Harsha appears in front of his warriors wearing a silk dhoti and a diaphanous upper garment, embroidered with gold stars, to project his wealth and power. Wow. Really.
Anirudh also projects back many of his own perceptions of today’s society onto the past. For instance, he tells us that when Pulakeshin II was born, Vatapi sent rare and expensive gifts to curry favour with his parents. Then Anirudh goes on to imagine and write about all kinds of rituals with a great amount of colour and imagination. This would be great as the script of a screenplay or a TV serial - but history?
At places, he indulges in that old game: setting up a straw man, then slashing it to pieces with a few deft strokes of his pen. Describing an Ashwamedha yagna, he notes (ch.1, fn. 37):
“Modern Hindu organizations such as the Arya Samaj argue that no animal was actually sacrificed and that the entire ritual is entirely symbolic but archaeological excavations at ancient sites such as Kaushambi have discovered hundreds of bones of various sacrificed animals….”
In reality, there is no dispute in Hindu tradition that animals were ritually slaughtered in most yagnas, and this practice waned gradually under the influence of Vaishnava and Shaiva puranic traditions which frowned at animal sacrifice. At one place, Mahabharata mentions that King Rantideva sacrificed so many animals along the banks of a river that the river ran red and choked with skins. It was then renamed Charmanyavati (literally, river of skins, now called Chambal), and cursed so that there are no holy bathing ghats along its entire length of 965 kilometres.
Continuing in the same vein, Aniruddha tells us that:
“It should also be noted that other Indian philosophical traditions, such as the empiricist Carvakas, roundly criticized the Ashvamedha and described its creators as 'buffoons'.”
But Carvakas criticized every ritual, believing that only what you can see with your eyes is true. They would have been probably severely critical of Anirudh’s writing as well, seeing that it doesn’t meet their rigorous tests of see-touch-feel.
This style of commentary, which pops up from time to time throughout the book, is perhaps due to an over-reliance on English translations and commentaries, with their Orientalist bias. At places, literal translation of terms is awkward. For example, Kumbha Yoni, another name of Agastya is translated as ‘water pot womb’ instead of the more sensible ‘born of a water pot’. Given Anirudh’s style and engagement with the topic, he is often unable to maintain balance and distance that is typically expected of historians.
But these are minor blemishes, which do not detract from the overall value of the work. There are a number of maps in the book, apart from illustrations of temples and similar buildings. A time-line and a list of illustrations would have been helpful. The book is printed nicely, type font is easy on the eyes, and it is great value as a book. It is also a fun-read as a historical novel. But history it is not. Juggernaut shouldn’t really have classified this as ‘history’.
The interweaving of legends, literature and history is engrossing. An example is the pun played by a Chola king on the name Vatapi city, which happens to be similar to the legendary Vatapi demon digested by Agastya.
However, in trying to make readable a dry subject, Aniruddh has also made some difficult choices, (starting with the title, which no historian would probably ever be dug up with). As a result, it is sometimes difficult to know which part of the book is history and which Aniruddh’s imagination. Though he warns you of this right in the beginning, he also promises that he will alert you whenever he gets off the narrow historical trail through the woods and goes off into the wilds of his imagination. This is a promise he doesn’t keep.
He also starts off by saying that history shouldn’t be all about kings and emperors, and then proceeds to do precisely that. Yet again he says that he will not make comparisons between rulers or pass judgement - and then proceeds to do precisely that. Harshavardhan is repeatedly called a warlord, instead of the Emperor he is generally known as. In fact Aniruddh calls him just Harsha, leaving you to figure out on your own which Harsha is he talking about. Borrowing from Banabhatta’s ‘hyperbolic’ imagery in Harshacharita (ch.1, fn. 7) he also tells us that Harsha appears in front of his warriors wearing a silk dhoti and a diaphanous upper garment, embroidered with gold stars, to project his wealth and power. Wow. Really.
Anirudh also projects back many of his own perceptions of today’s society onto the past. For instance, he tells us that when Pulakeshin II was born, Vatapi sent rare and expensive gifts to curry favour with his parents. Then Anirudh goes on to imagine and write about all kinds of rituals with a great amount of colour and imagination. This would be great as the script of a screenplay or a TV serial - but history?
At places, he indulges in that old game: setting up a straw man, then slashing it to pieces with a few deft strokes of his pen. Describing an Ashwamedha yagna, he notes (ch.1, fn. 37):
“Modern Hindu organizations such as the Arya Samaj argue that no animal was actually sacrificed and that the entire ritual is entirely symbolic but archaeological excavations at ancient sites such as Kaushambi have discovered hundreds of bones of various sacrificed animals….”
In reality, there is no dispute in Hindu tradition that animals were ritually slaughtered in most yagnas, and this practice waned gradually under the influence of Vaishnava and Shaiva puranic traditions which frowned at animal sacrifice. At one place, Mahabharata mentions that King Rantideva sacrificed so many animals along the banks of a river that the river ran red and choked with skins. It was then renamed Charmanyavati (literally, river of skins, now called Chambal), and cursed so that there are no holy bathing ghats along its entire length of 965 kilometres.
Continuing in the same vein, Aniruddha tells us that:
“It should also be noted that other Indian philosophical traditions, such as the empiricist Carvakas, roundly criticized the Ashvamedha and described its creators as 'buffoons'.”
But Carvakas criticized every ritual, believing that only what you can see with your eyes is true. They would have been probably severely critical of Anirudh’s writing as well, seeing that it doesn’t meet their rigorous tests of see-touch-feel.
This style of commentary, which pops up from time to time throughout the book, is perhaps due to an over-reliance on English translations and commentaries, with their Orientalist bias. At places, literal translation of terms is awkward. For example, Kumbha Yoni, another name of Agastya is translated as ‘water pot womb’ instead of the more sensible ‘born of a water pot’. Given Anirudh’s style and engagement with the topic, he is often unable to maintain balance and distance that is typically expected of historians.
But these are minor blemishes, which do not detract from the overall value of the work. There are a number of maps in the book, apart from illustrations of temples and similar buildings. A time-line and a list of illustrations would have been helpful. The book is printed nicely, type font is easy on the eyes, and it is great value as a book. It is also a fun-read as a historical novel. But history it is not. Juggernaut shouldn’t really have classified this as ‘history’.
February 16, 2024
Rating - 4.5 stars
NPS - 10 (Promoter)
Winner of the Yuva Sahitya Puraskar in 2023
The medieval lords of the Deccan were not saintly devotees or noble conquerors or brilliant masterminds. They were human beings doing their best they could, responding to personal disasters, trying to get rich and be happy and find companionship and see beauty in a difficult world. Changing the course of human history was just an unplanned side-effect of all that.
The book is an important read, talking about ancient and medieval Deccan encompassing the rise of the Chalukyas and Cholas. The book entails a strenuous journey of detailing all the kings and mini kingdoms that took control in the name of the above dynasties and how the political fever in and around them helped their prosperity and destruction.
This is an important history book, one that should be taught in schools to understand how history is shaped.
Like the author says - 1000 years from now, when students learn about India, they should not only learn about metro cities but the culture and practises of the entire country during the time.
Today it’s difficult to imagine Hinduism without temple, or even to imagine temples as more than places for worship. That was not the case during the time of the early Chalukyas. Then the idea of building permanent ‘Hindu’ gods was somewhat of an innovation. Buddhists, on the other hand, were used to worshipping idols and congregating around permanent religious institutions such as monasteries or stupas, and folk religion in the subcontinent always had a strong idol based aspect to its worship of Yakshas and other fertility deities.
My only problem with the book is the author has mentioned some ‘speculations’ where the data is not clear; a lot of ‘mays’ and ‘coulds’ are a part of the narrative which is important for us to get the visual picture of the time, but it did not settle well with me.
NPS - 10 (Promoter)
Winner of the Yuva Sahitya Puraskar in 2023
The medieval lords of the Deccan were not saintly devotees or noble conquerors or brilliant masterminds. They were human beings doing their best they could, responding to personal disasters, trying to get rich and be happy and find companionship and see beauty in a difficult world. Changing the course of human history was just an unplanned side-effect of all that.
The book is an important read, talking about ancient and medieval Deccan encompassing the rise of the Chalukyas and Cholas. The book entails a strenuous journey of detailing all the kings and mini kingdoms that took control in the name of the above dynasties and how the political fever in and around them helped their prosperity and destruction.
This is an important history book, one that should be taught in schools to understand how history is shaped.
Like the author says - 1000 years from now, when students learn about India, they should not only learn about metro cities but the culture and practises of the entire country during the time.
Today it’s difficult to imagine Hinduism without temple, or even to imagine temples as more than places for worship. That was not the case during the time of the early Chalukyas. Then the idea of building permanent ‘Hindu’ gods was somewhat of an innovation. Buddhists, on the other hand, were used to worshipping idols and congregating around permanent religious institutions such as monasteries or stupas, and folk religion in the subcontinent always had a strong idol based aspect to its worship of Yakshas and other fertility deities.
My only problem with the book is the author has mentioned some ‘speculations’ where the data is not clear; a lot of ‘mays’ and ‘coulds’ are a part of the narrative which is important for us to get the visual picture of the time, but it did not settle well with me.
February 19, 2023
Verbose, repetitive at times, modern ideological underpinnings scattered cohesively (especially towards the end), something which takes away from the credibility of the work as it shifts the focus from the painstaking research work to the ideological leanings of the author. That aside, a wonderful book that informs the reader about the much neglected past of the medieval Indian History. Highly readable and very interesting storytelling, coupled with a lot of maps and pictures. (It is good to have maps in the book that talks primarily about the geographical movements and battles, cities, capitals, empires etc.).
March 7, 2024
More like speculation. It feels author has no command over history.
October 27, 2022
The Chalukyas and the Rashtrakutas often don't receive their due in their contributions to Indian history and this book does a good job of explaining their contributions. On the flip side, the author offers a number of mistranslations of Sanskrit terms, usually those that pertain to Hinduism. He also seems to be dissonant regarding his references to kings and their affiliations to Hindu traditions. On the whole, though, it's still an enriching read.
February 14, 2022
For the first time in my life I wish I could give an author a seven star rating than the five star maximum which is allowed. Anirudh makes these less less known but historically very significant characters come alive for us, he explains very clearly how the entire region started to change along with the actions of each dynasty and the policies and actions of its rulers.
From the descriptions of their possible attires to their personal as well as political accomplishments, he makes us understand why the many rulers of the era gave themselves grandiose titles and epithets.
Anirudh makes the reader travel through the various passes and hilly terrains of the Deccan and explains how war was conducted and how many a times it was inevitable and the change in society and culture that came about because of it such the creation of new genres of literature to architecture.
If you're looking to learn about a fascinating and yet little explored area of Indian history then this is the book which will take you to an age of warring elephants, temple building queens, wrestling princes and will make you immensely proud to be part of this shared history of our incredible country.
From the descriptions of their possible attires to their personal as well as political accomplishments, he makes us understand why the many rulers of the era gave themselves grandiose titles and epithets.
Anirudh makes the reader travel through the various passes and hilly terrains of the Deccan and explains how war was conducted and how many a times it was inevitable and the change in society and culture that came about because of it such the creation of new genres of literature to architecture.
If you're looking to learn about a fascinating and yet little explored area of Indian history then this is the book which will take you to an age of warring elephants, temple building queens, wrestling princes and will make you immensely proud to be part of this shared history of our incredible country.
July 16, 2023
Decent - Good to read about the Chalukyas and the Rashtrakutas. Nice Appendix of references. Lovely pics of places to visit.
However, moves fluidly from fact to speculation and imagination without clear demarcation and warning - for a lay reader( like me) can result in a distorted view of history - not correct since this book is portrayed to be history and not speculative fiction.
I didn't like the author's treatment of religion as a tool of greed, pompousness and cold show off and there was no respect, worship or adoration behind it. Author seemed very derisive. Seems a little unbelievable that Hindu kings would break and deface temples And the idols of other hindu kings.
Also the treatment of history seemed to be centred only on trade and the desire for throne. Seemed a little unidimensional.
Far more, but more erudite readers have expressed the issues better.
However, moves fluidly from fact to speculation and imagination without clear demarcation and warning - for a lay reader( like me) can result in a distorted view of history - not correct since this book is portrayed to be history and not speculative fiction.
I didn't like the author's treatment of religion as a tool of greed, pompousness and cold show off and there was no respect, worship or adoration behind it. Author seemed very derisive. Seems a little unbelievable that Hindu kings would break and deface temples And the idols of other hindu kings.
Also the treatment of history seemed to be centred only on trade and the desire for throne. Seemed a little unidimensional.
Far more, but more erudite readers have expressed the issues better.
March 6, 2022
The peoples of the Deccan (especially from the medieval ages), who were mentioned in passing in school textbooks, have suddenly come to life for me. Magnificent work, the content and the writing both are excellent. Must read! (I'm low key pleased with myself for having purchased a physical copy of this book.)
Read
October 30, 2022An entertaining book. I learnt quite a lot about the various regional formations in the Deccan and greater south India (Kerala mostly neglected) from 6th century to 12th century. A clear headed presentation that does not overwhelm with fact after fact after fact, I learned about the Chalukyas, the Rashtrakutas, and the Cholas in some depth from the book.
I am happy that the book also offers a peek into a bunch of different kinds of speculations that historians venture into to arrive at their histories. In that aspect, this book was very useful. And the author also uses plenty of hedging words indicating when the evidence is not strong and he's indulging in speculation. This is one reason I strongly disagree with a bunch of reviews of this book here, which seem to castigate the author for even venturing into speculation. This is one human communicating to you what his ideas are regarding our past. Engage with it in those terms. No one is going to give you a neatly packaged history ready to consume. Hold incomplete ideas in your head, it's fine.
I have plenty of complaints about the style of writing in particular and some things that I see as laziness.
Many times, there's allusions to "larger social and economic forces shaping the political landscape" and things of the sort. This is done in a perfunctory or superficial manner most of the time. There is no analysis of what those forces are and how they've arisen and how they're affecting the politics. If there's not enough analysis to sketch that thought completely, don't make such claims. Sounds half-assed. I am not even saying there's no evidence provided to support such statements, I'm saying thought itself is lacking. Speculate on these also. Why not if you've done in other cases. One related line that's egregious is "Indian religion is best understood in terms of social and economic forces." Yeah no shit. Almost every social phenomenon is.
There's also plenty of (for lack of a better phrase) woke posturing the author does, inserting references to "the poor folk" or "the women" who must have surely suffered as a result of so and so war like all the ventures of the rich lords, and they must be toiling at their hard lives. This feels so out of place and kind of perfunctory in a book that is primarily about describing in awe the exploits of king after king as they go on their wars and imperial expansion. Be honest about what your priorities are. Almost no effort goes into exploring the lives of common folk. Why pretend you care about them in the odd phrase once a chapter?
A related annoying device used in the book is repeated prompts to imagination like (something like) "what dread must a soldier hearing the thundering drums and the trumpeting elephants of the mighty Chalukya army approaching them have felt", "what awe must a visitor entering the magnificent gates of Vatapi experienced", etc. Trite. I could have done without them. If the description inspires dread and awe, it's enough. Don't have to use these prompts as crutches.
And more triteness.
The kings "are complex human beings with complex feelings about various things". Yes I know. They're human. Doesn't add anything to say this kind of thing.
Also trite comparisons with the present like " of those times are like immigrants of modern day". Of course they are. What else could they be?
It was an overall positive experience reading the book. I just needed to log all my complaints.
I am happy that the book also offers a peek into a bunch of different kinds of speculations that historians venture into to arrive at their histories. In that aspect, this book was very useful. And the author also uses plenty of hedging words indicating when the evidence is not strong and he's indulging in speculation. This is one reason I strongly disagree with a bunch of reviews of this book here, which seem to castigate the author for even venturing into speculation. This is one human communicating to you what his ideas are regarding our past. Engage with it in those terms. No one is going to give you a neatly packaged history ready to consume. Hold incomplete ideas in your head, it's fine.
I have plenty of complaints about the style of writing in particular and some things that I see as laziness.
Many times, there's allusions to "larger social and economic forces shaping the political landscape" and things of the sort. This is done in a perfunctory or superficial manner most of the time. There is no analysis of what those forces are and how they've arisen and how they're affecting the politics. If there's not enough analysis to sketch that thought completely, don't make such claims. Sounds half-assed. I am not even saying there's no evidence provided to support such statements, I'm saying thought itself is lacking. Speculate on these also. Why not if you've done in other cases. One related line that's egregious is "Indian religion is best understood in terms of social and economic forces." Yeah no shit. Almost every social phenomenon is.
There's also plenty of (for lack of a better phrase) woke posturing the author does, inserting references to "the poor folk" or "the women" who must have surely suffered as a result of so and so war like all the ventures of the rich lords, and they must be toiling at their hard lives. This feels so out of place and kind of perfunctory in a book that is primarily about describing in awe the exploits of king after king as they go on their wars and imperial expansion. Be honest about what your priorities are. Almost no effort goes into exploring the lives of common folk. Why pretend you care about them in the odd phrase once a chapter?
A related annoying device used in the book is repeated prompts to imagination like (something like) "what dread must a soldier hearing the thundering drums and the trumpeting elephants of the mighty Chalukya army approaching them have felt", "what awe must a visitor entering the magnificent gates of Vatapi experienced", etc. Trite. I could have done without them. If the description inspires dread and awe, it's enough. Don't have to use these prompts as crutches.
And more triteness.
The kings "are complex human beings with complex feelings about various things". Yes I know. They're human. Doesn't add anything to say this kind of thing.
Also trite comparisons with the present like " of those times are like immigrants of modern day". Of course they are. What else could they be?
It was an overall positive experience reading the book. I just needed to log all my complaints.
May 3, 2022
I wanted to read this book to get a sense of South Indian history. I've grown up with a very North Indian centric version of ancient Indian history - the Guptas, the Mauryas etc. But what about the South?
This book helped me gain a lot of perspective on the Cholas, the Chalukyas and the various other sub-dynasties and politics that shaped the Deccan. The author uses superlatives and hyperbole sometimes to push the storytelling forward but it felt a bit out of place. Not every third battle or temple construction 'changed the course of global history.' I also want to dock points from the book because there were multiple typos and repetition - clearly the copy editor has done a shoddy job.
That aside, the book is still interesting to get some perspective around South Indian esp Karnataka's history but take it as one of many different books you ought to read.
This book helped me gain a lot of perspective on the Cholas, the Chalukyas and the various other sub-dynasties and politics that shaped the Deccan. The author uses superlatives and hyperbole sometimes to push the storytelling forward but it felt a bit out of place. Not every third battle or temple construction 'changed the course of global history.' I also want to dock points from the book because there were multiple typos and repetition - clearly the copy editor has done a shoddy job.
That aside, the book is still interesting to get some perspective around South Indian esp Karnataka's history but take it as one of many different books you ought to read.
July 23, 2024
Quite an interesting read. Takes you deep into the Deccan's history like no one has done before. In school history text, the history of these Lords are covered in just 1 chapter or even less which is a farcry! Because there is so much to know and explore. If you are really looking for knowing more about South India's history in details this book where should begin with. Anirudh has covered the major dynasties from South from Chalukyas to Rashtrkutas to Cholas. Yes, Cheras from the southern most part is missing but still it gives one quite a good picture of South back in the days.
April 28, 2024
Interesting narration of the history of Deccan. Author mostly tried to take a balanced view of recorded history and in many places tries to clarify the glorification and violence in the context of the time the events taking place . Surely reading the book made me to Ellora in my list of places to see in India . Wondering why the book portrays Cholas as brutal slackers of civilization. Is this the right picture !?
March 29, 2024
An excellent narrative of the kingdoms of the Deccan between the 7th and 12th centuries. What I particularly liked is that the book includes an all-round perspective covering demographics, architecture, politics, literature and economics. Never thought history could be made so interesting.
February 14, 2022
The book takes us to less famous 500 years of Indian history and engages us while keeping a tab on the world scenario.Its fascinating to know the glorious deccan past, forgotten and lost in a gripping manner !..just the way 2020-3020 Scenario would be, as explained by the Author. Looking forward for more such reads..can not make out its the Author's first book!!
January 11, 2025
While illuminating the rich and intricate history of Southern India, long reduced to a sidelight in comparison to its Northern counterpart, this book lost me in its maze of detail and its interpolation through speculation where story replaces history.
September 6, 2022
Enjoyable read.
Loved to know about the role of religion , temples and state sponsored literature in gaining political power.
Loved to know about the role of religion , temples and state sponsored literature in gaining political power.
January 15, 2023
I picked up this just so to have some preliminary knowledge before I set out to explore the south, and I definitely didn't regret my decision.
It takes you through the tumultuous times of Medieval India from the 6th to 13th century CE. More so, it made me realise how much of our history, that existed beyond my school textbooks, I've missed.
Also, the writing style, with exciting passages describing wars, conspiracies, treaties and revenge, gives of serious GoT vibes. The fact that all this actually happened, coupled with beautiful descriptions of the trade, society and architecture of the period, made it a very engrossing read for me.
All in all, a 🤌🏼book
It takes you through the tumultuous times of Medieval India from the 6th to 13th century CE. More so, it made me realise how much of our history, that existed beyond my school textbooks, I've missed.
Also, the writing style, with exciting passages describing wars, conspiracies, treaties and revenge, gives of serious GoT vibes. The fact that all this actually happened, coupled with beautiful descriptions of the trade, society and architecture of the period, made it a very engrossing read for me.
All in all, a 🤌🏼book
November 9, 2023
My intent when I picked up this book was to learn more about South Indian empires that were papered over in the history textbooks of my formal schooling - mere footnotes and lists of names and years with no coherent thread of intent. This book provided a good and engaging introduction of the empires centered around the Deccan, the motivations of the rulers and various socio-religious-political changes they wrought (or were influenced by). The most appealing part of the book was that it was engaging and coherent. I haven’t yet read enough sources to attest to the correctness of the narrated history in this book but my impression is that the speculation that it indulges in is minimal and reasonable. However, there is a fair bit of hyperbole not backed by strong sources (like claiming that Manyaketha may have been an equal of Baghdad) that needs to be filtered out as you read the book
April 9, 2022
A much needed corrective to the North centric traditional histories of India
Indian History textbooks are largely made up of just 6 chapters; Indus Valley, Vedic Age, Mauryas, Gupta's, Delhi Sultanate, Mughal Empire. History ends with British Rule.
This myopic view of Indian history is not just misleading, it is outright wrong. India is a vast and diverse sub-continent, each part of the country, each language group has a story as old and as interesting as the Indo Gangetic plain and these narratives must reach every Indian and must find their rightful place both in our text books and in popular imagination, and not be limited to the work and study of academic historians.
This important book by Anirudh Kanisetti is just such an attempt. It tells a thrilling half a millennial tale of India South of the Vindhyas.
It starts with the rise of the Chalukyas of Vatapi and their deadly struggle with the Pallavas of Tamilakkam. Follows through with their eclipse by their former vassals, the Rashtrakutas who left us the spectacular legacy of the Kailasanatha temple of Ellora. And concludes with the revived imperium of the Chalukyas of Kalyana.
The writing is fresh and describes with verve the very human personalities of the men who assumed the title of Sri Prithvi Vallabha - Emperors of the Deccan. It describes their gory struggles with the rivals in Tamilakkam as well as central India. It paints vividly imaginative verbal pictures of the lavish courts and glittering ceremonies of these powerful rulers. The book also touches upon the economic developments through the ages and global trade linkages forged by mighty merchant guilds of the age.
All in all a splendid account of a very important part of our history that so far hasn't gotten it's dues.
Indian History textbooks are largely made up of just 6 chapters; Indus Valley, Vedic Age, Mauryas, Gupta's, Delhi Sultanate, Mughal Empire. History ends with British Rule.
This myopic view of Indian history is not just misleading, it is outright wrong. India is a vast and diverse sub-continent, each part of the country, each language group has a story as old and as interesting as the Indo Gangetic plain and these narratives must reach every Indian and must find their rightful place both in our text books and in popular imagination, and not be limited to the work and study of academic historians.
This important book by Anirudh Kanisetti is just such an attempt. It tells a thrilling half a millennial tale of India South of the Vindhyas.
It starts with the rise of the Chalukyas of Vatapi and their deadly struggle with the Pallavas of Tamilakkam. Follows through with their eclipse by their former vassals, the Rashtrakutas who left us the spectacular legacy of the Kailasanatha temple of Ellora. And concludes with the revived imperium of the Chalukyas of Kalyana.
The writing is fresh and describes with verve the very human personalities of the men who assumed the title of Sri Prithvi Vallabha - Emperors of the Deccan. It describes their gory struggles with the rivals in Tamilakkam as well as central India. It paints vividly imaginative verbal pictures of the lavish courts and glittering ceremonies of these powerful rulers. The book also touches upon the economic developments through the ages and global trade linkages forged by mighty merchant guilds of the age.
All in all a splendid account of a very important part of our history that so far hasn't gotten it's dues.
November 16, 2022
I would rate this 4.8/5. A very well-researched book. This history of Southern India is beautifully told and the transition between chapters is so smooth. It discusses about how different clans rose to power, their architecture, literature, trade and everything important. There is a lot to learn and one can also plan a visit to South India after reading this book. I would have preferred colored pictures in the book though instead of black and white.
July 17, 2023
A Riveting book on a largely untouched chapter in history of Medieval South India- Chalukyas and Rashtrakutas. The narrative style is like a fast paced novel, dwelving deeper into every facet of the rule and not merely stating events like more historicals do. Must read.
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