"Chandragupta-Path Of A Fallen Demi-God"- A Book Review

“For every man who succeeds, there are ten equally capable men who don’t” says Shauryananda to the great warrior of Magadha- Chandragupta Maurya- when the latter is yearning to stand against the invasion of Macedonion army led by Governor Seleucus. Such lines induce immense pride as to show how the culture of Indians has been followed throughout numerous generations.

Let’s not digress from what this humble blogger wants to write about. The book we are talking about is written on a very ad hoc premise- if you can see the cover page and summary behind the book- it says historical fiction. Indian writers are not vividly known for capturing their imagination set in dark past unless it’s Amish Tripathi or Ashwin Sanghi. Rajat Pillai, an IMI Delhi alumni whose interest is history has portrayed and resurrected the glorious, treacherous, and bloodiest phase of Chandragupta Maurya by referring him to ‘demi-god’ who chose to relinquish everything he had: power, money and an empire comprising of 6 countries in today’s time, for peace and satisfaction.

How does the story start?

Well, the beginning of the story makes your imagination go versatile wondering why Thirumalaya, a poor man along with his son and two close friends marks journey to meet Samrat. The journey, as one would expect is not a cakewalk and Thirumalaya has apprehensions if he’s going to make it till then.

How does it fare in the middle?

This is the best part in the book ‘Chandragupta Maurya- Path of fallen Demigod’ by Rajat Pillai. Chandra lives with his mother in Gaval village ruled by lower caste and oppressive king Dhananand. There is poverty everywhere in the village; the king is indifferent to the pathetic conditions of the poor and imposes tax on poor farmers. Chandra is small time farmer who has inherited the land from his maternal grandfather after the latter’s death along with his friend Swarit. Things change dramatically when Chandra tussles with tax official Pushkar. They get into small melee and eventually Chandra ends up by losing his irrigated part of farm to a rich diamond merchant thus intensifying his anger against Puskar.

His mother Mura, then escorts him to the capital of Magadha, Patalipura (now Patna) with help of an insider who gets him the job of being an attendant only to repent it later when Chandra along with his mentor ‘Guru’ aka Vishnugupta aka Chanakya strikes to capture the kingdom. Vishnugupta a learned Brahmin is the key strategist of all Chandra’s moves and attacks. He gathers men who are very much upset with the system and are victims of injustice and atrocity committed by Nanda King, by forming ‘Karma Sena’.

Since Chandra has to go through a lot: physically and mentally, he is left with no option but vengeance against the Nanda King himself. Chandra along with his best men excelling in various phases of war, are ready to attack Nanda. After a failed attempt, Vishnugupta, who is the crux of Karma Sena devises a plan too precise to be defeated in its purpose. Victory falls into their kitty on one hand, while blood floods on the other. The conquest enters into a bloody game where revenge and deceit rides high in his enemy’s veins.

Chandra is crowned as the King and he marries his childhood friend, whom he loves unconditionally. Nature has its own way of dealing and settling things; be it a pauper or emperor, it spares none. Chandra is out through various twists and turns. Trust becomes notional and specious as many turn against him; mostly for his bad, while some for his good.

I can go on and on as I am very much obsessed with the story and narration. The story has too much to offer: blend of everything- from naivety of simple emotional feelings to the complexity of mind, the restiveness in attaining sound sleep on bed embedded with diamonds and finest silk, the most delectable and rich food to simple porridge which satisfies the hunger, the difference between the need of power and the want of power. Say it and you will get everything!! That’s the power of the book.

In case you presume this book to be his biography replete of flat, boring facts, you are bound to be disappointed. This is a gripping narration with strong essence of mystery and numbing surprises.

The Glitch?!!

I personally felt, that the writer could have written another book on the same subject if he had this much content to offer. A novice may find it difficult to link many loose ends to ascertain that a convincing story lies beneath and between the lines. Also, there are two incidents in the book where the editor has missed to catch the difference between the words ‘disinterested’ and ‘uninterested’. The mood of the sentence definitely goes with the latter but we find the former thus transgressing the meaning or invoking equivocalness.

Why I chose to read this book?

 I was thrilled to read a bit about Chandragupta Maurya on Wikipedia and wrote about him in this small story HERE. I aspire to write a book on this topic one day. I needed to start my research and I had the best of it!!!

The Final say:

 Friends, you have all reason to buy this book if you are proud of Indian history; not because of the bloodshed and war, but because you would be happy to see those things which we see now having its roots in the ancient times, right from taxation to irrigation and from politics to economics as this era is said to have brought some great thinkers, kings and warriors of our motherland. I rate this book 8.5 out of 10. Waiting more to see from Rajat Pillai.

P.S: The link to buy this book is HERE for BEST PRICE !!