A review of the book 'Bravehearts of Bharat: Vignettes from Indian History' written by Vikram Sampath.
Fifteen Brave Men and Women of Bharat who Never Succumbed to the Challenges of Invaders
But were Lost and Forgotten in the Annals of History
These are the stories of those Bravehearts who Fought to Protect their Rights, Faith and Freedom
Pacy and unputdownable, Bravehearts of Bharat chronicles the stories of courage, determination and victory, which largely remained untold and therefore unknown for a long time.
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Coming up: A review of the book 'Bravehearts of Bharat: Vignettes from Indian History' written by Vikram Sampath.
Namaste Friends. My name is 'Shinil Subramanian Payamal' and you are listening to the Historylogy podcast.
Before I proceed, a full disclosure: This book was bought with my own money and not been provided to me by the author or publisher.
Little bit about the author:
Dr. Vikram Sampath is a historian based in Bangalore. He is the author of ten acclaimed books, including Splendours of Royal Mysore: The Untold Story of the Wodeyars, Voice of the Veena: S. Balachander, Women of the Records, and Indian Classical Music and the Gramophone, 1900─1930. His two-volume biography of V. D. Savarkar, Savarkar: Echoes from a Forgotten Past, 1881─1924 and Savarkar: A Contested Legacy, 1924─1966, and this book, Bravehearts of Bharat: Vignettes from Indian History and Waiting for Shiva: Unearthing the Truth of Kashi’s Gyan Vapi, have all gone on to become national bestsellers.
In 2021, Vikram was elected a fellow of the prestigious Royal Historical Society. He was awarded the Sahitya Akademi’s first Yuva Puraskar in English literature and the ARSC International Award for excellence in historical research in New York for his book My Name Is Gauhar Jaan: The Life and Times of a Musician.
Vikram was among four writers and artists selected as writers-in-residence at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in 2015. He has a doctorate in history and music from the University of Queensland, Australia, and was a senior research fellow at the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library, New Delhi. He was also a fellow of the Aspen Global Leadership Network and Eisenhower Fellowships 2020 and a visiting fellow at the Wissenschaftskolleg zu Berlin. Currently, he is an adjunct senior fellow at Monash University, Australia.
Vikram is the founder of the Archive of Indian Music (AIM) and the Foundation for Indian Historical and Cultural Research (FIHCR).
Let me read the description of the book:
QUOTE
Fifteen Brave Men and Women of Bharat who Never Succumbed to the Challenges of Invaders
But were Lost and Forgotten in the Annals of History
These are the stories of those Bravehearts who Fought to Protect their Rights, Faith and Freedom
History has always been the handmaiden of the victor. 'Until the lions have their own storytellers,' said Chinua Achebe, 'the history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter!' Exploring the lives, times and works of the fifteen long-forgotten and mostly neglected unsung heroes and heroines of our past, this book brings to light the contribution of the warriors who not only donned armour and burst forth into the battlefield but also kept the flame of hope alive under adverse circumstances.
Narrating the tales of valour and success that India, as a nation and civilization, has borne witness to in its long and tumultuous past, the book opens a window to the stories of select men and women who valiantly fought against invaders for their rights, faith and freedom.
Rajarshi Bhagyachandra Jai Singh of Manipur, Lalitaditya Muktapida of Kashmir, Chand Bibi of Ahmednagar, Lachit Barphukan of Assam, Begum Hazrat Mahal of Awadh, Rani Abbakka Chowta of Ullal, Martanda Varma of Travancore, Rani Rudrama Devi of Warangal, Rani Naiki Devi of Gujarat and Banda Singh Bahadur are some of the 'bravehearts' who fought to uphold the tradition and culture of their land.
Pacy and unputdownable, Bravehearts of Bharat chronicles the stories of courage, determination and victory, which largely remained untold and therefore unknown for a long time.
UNQUOTE
Apart from the ten Bravehearts mentioned in the description of the book, there are five others who have dedicated chapters of their own. They are:
1. Punyashlok Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar
2. Kanhoji Angre
3. Rajaraja Chola
4. Velu Nachiyar &
5. Maharana Kumbha
Out of the fifteen Bravehearts covered in this book, I had read about only 3-4 of them, as these Historical characters are simply missing from our textbooks.
Just to show you one example, the Battle of Colachel which took place in 1741 between the kingdom of Travancore and the Dutch East India Company in which the Dutch were defeated, was the first time an Asian power had defeated an European power in a naval battle. The second time was when the Japanese had defeated the Russians in 1905.
Ideally, this should have been taught in all the history textbooks across India but surprisingly, this is NOT mentioned even in the history textbooks in Kerala.
The book is organized into accessible chapters, each dedicated to the historical figures or events mentioned above. Sampath’s choice of subjects spans various eras and regions, including warriors, revolutionaries, and cultural icons. Each vignette is meticulously researched, blending historical facts with engaging storytelling. The author’s narrative style is both informative and captivating, making complex historical contexts understandable for a wide audience.
Sampath also addresses themes of patriotism and sacrifice, illustrating how these bravehearts overcame immense challenges. Their stories are not just about valour in battle but also about perseverance in the face of oppression, cultural preservation, and social reform. This multifaceted approach provides a richer understanding of what it means to be a patriot and highlights the many ways individuals have influenced the nation’s trajectory.
Bravehearts of Bharat is more than just a history book; it’s a tribute to the spirit of India. Vikram Sampath successfully uncovers the narratives of those who have been sidelined in mainstream history, encouraging a deeper appreciation for the country's diverse past. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in Indian history, offering insights that resonate with contemporary issues of identity, resilience, and pride. It serves as a reminder that the spirit of bravery and sacrifice is not confined to the pages of textbooks but is a living legacy that continues to inspire.
In summary, Vikram Sampath's Bravehearts of Bharat is a well-researched, beautifully written homage to the unsung heroes of India, making it a valuable addition to both personal libraries and academic collections.
I give this book 4.5/5.
Apart from Hardcover and Paperback formats, the book is also available in Kindle and Audible formats. I have given the respective buy links in the show notes. Please check them out for the latest prices.
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