Bravehearts of Bharat is the first Vikram Sampath book that I have read. I think I will now read all his books. His style of writing is easy to read and ofcourse for a history buff, he is the dream author because he is genuinely a historian. We have been fed a distorted history of India for so long, by “distortians” masquerading as historians that I have become wary of all historians.
This book is a compilation of short biographies of 15 bravehearts of Bharat. I must add, lesser known bravehearts. The 15 people mentioned in this book are – Lalitaditya Muktapida, Rajaraja Chola and Rajendra Chola, Rani Naiki Devi, Rani Rudrama Devi, Maharana Kumbha, Rani Abbakka Chowta, Chand Bibi, Lachit Barphukan, Kanhoji Angre, Banda Singh Bahadur, Martanda Varma, Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar, Rajarshi Bhagyachandra Jai Singh, Velu Nachiyar and Begum Hazrat Mahal.
Before reading this book, I knew about Lalitaditya, Rajaraja Chola and Rajendra Chola, Rani Abbakka, and Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar. Had heard a little about Velu Nachiyar, Kanhoji Angre and Martanda Varma. I have never heard of Rani Naiki Devi or Rajarshi Bhagyachandra Jai Singh or Begum Hazrat Mahal !! The list is evenly split – 8 men and 7 women. At least some folks from Assam know about Lachit Barphukan and people of Manipur know about Rajarshi Bhagyachandra Jai Singh. Am not so sure of Rani Naiki Devi or Chand Bibi …
I had goosebumps as I read about Velu Nachiyar… a woman from my home state of TamilNadu. She spoke several languages including French, English and Urdu. This was in 1730 a full 300 years ago. The DMK and DK Dumeels must read about her before sloganeering about Hindi being imposed.
Dr. Vikram Sampath does not try to airbrush the heroes. He has written their biographies with facts and has quoted original sources. These are flawed individuals just like everyone is, but they are bravehearts and heroes of their times. Some of them died in dejection and some were killed in battle but the unifying thread is, they all opposed colonization and it’s because of their efforts that we still have the ethos of Bharat intact.
This book should become a part of the history curriculum in schools because our children must know these heroes from recent times.
I intend to write individual blogs about each of the Braveheart as a way of honouring their contributions to Bharat.
Thank you Dr. Vikram Sampath for bringing out this book. It’s a must read for every Indian.
Hi Bindu. I am also a great admirer of Vikram Sampath, Sanjeev Sanyal, Sai Deepak, Anand Ranganathan, Abhjith Chavda and a few more contemporary writers and podcasters. You have come out with an outstanding Blog.
Thanks Mani.
Vikram Sampath is a good writer. He makes history interesting & does not write like some smitten fanboy glorifying the hero of his book. I have read this book & really liked it. Also read his books on Savarkar. Really well written, factual, with little or no bias.
Truly. He doesn’t glorify the hero just a factual biography !