Babur: The Chessboard King

DID BABUR DEMOLISH THE TEMPLE BESIDE BABRI MASJID?

· Portrays Babur as a multifaceted ruler, challenging the typical depiction of an infallible conqueror and a benevolent human being

· Brings to light his adept navigation through political intricacies and adversities

· The story of Babur’s unyielding pursuit of power amid treacherous political landscapes

Written by Aabhas Maldahiyar, published by Penguin Random House India, the gripping, anecdotal and deeply researched Babur: The Chessboard King delves into Hindustan’s economic landscape during Timurid rule and portrays Babur as a multifaceted ruler, challenging the typical depiction of an infallible conqueror and a good human being.

Babur, the visionary founder of Timurid Empire in Hindustan, had a fair share of early struggle following his father’s tragic demise in AD 1494. Then on, Babur embarked on an unyielding pursuit of power amid treacherous political landscapes, the narrative unveils his moniker, ‘the chessboard king,’ portraying his adept navigation through political intricacies and adversities.

From his ascent to rulership in Ferghana amidst familial threats to fleeting victories and losses in Samarkand, the book paints a poignant picture of Babur’s journey. It portrays his retreat to tribal lands after relinquishing hopes of reclaiming Ferghana, eventually establishing a mountainous kingdom in Kabul, a pivotal milestone preceding his ambition to expand into Hindustan. Recounting his initial endeavour to penetrate Hindustan in AD 1505, his alliances, and subsequent setbacks after Sultan Husayn Mirza Bayqarah’s demise, leaving him as the sole Timurid prince in power, the book opens a window to Babur’s failed second attempt to enter Hindustan, encapsulating the initial thirteen to fourteen tumultuous years of his reign, marked by exile, fleeting victories, and delicate alliances.

Meticulously sourced from the Persian manuscript of the Baburnama and other primary sources, this book represents a milestone in Babur’s biographical genre, essential for comprehending the ambitions of this enigmatic king.

It is currently on pre-order and will be released in India in mid-February.

About the author

Aabhas Maldahiyar, an Architect and Urban-Designer, amalgamates an intense love for History with captivating storytelling. He champions the seamless fusion of History and Architecture, recognizing their intrinsic connection in narrative creation. His architectural masterpieces, envisioned as repositories of future stories, ignite his diverse literary odyssey, spanning Marxist and Ex-Marxist phases. Initially embracing Marxism in architecture school, a visit to Ajanta's caves ignited a profound transformation. Shifting from Marxist literature to crafting fiction inspired by the Red Ideology, he delved deeper into the realms of History and Politics. His inaugural nonfiction, Modi Again: An Ex-Communist's Manifesto (2019), chronicles his remarkable journey. Babur: The Chessboard King stands as the inaugural volume in his forthcoming series on ‘Timurid Gurkaniyan’ (erroneously known as Mughals), founded on primary sources. A skilled reader of Persian manuscripts, Aabhas offers a distinctive lens to historical narratives.

Something I'm waiting to tell you

Something I’m Waiting To Tell You

 

An enthralling narration of loss, longing, and love, Something I’m Waiting To Tell You by Shravya Bhinder takes its readers through an exciting journey along with its protagonists, Adira, and Ronnie.

Beyond the initial sparks and butterflies, love provides comfort and serenity. After nearly losing her to a terrible accident, Ronnie realizes how much he loves Adira. Something I’m Waiting To Tell You captures Ronnie going through a roller-coaster ride as he fights for his second chance with her. Heartbroken and guilty for what he has done to Adira and faced with her overprotective mother who doesn’t like him being with her, he begins his journey to win her back, with patience in his mind and hope in his heart.

Page Count: 248

Cost: INR 250.00

Dr Ambedkar’s wife and social activist Savita Ambedkar

PENGUIN ACQUIRES THE FIRST ENGLISH TRANSLATION OF THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF SOCIAL ACTIVIST SAVITA AMBEDKAR AND WIFE OF DR B.R. AMBEDKAR

To commemorate the 131st birth anniversary of Dr B.R. Ambedkar, the Father of the Indian Constitution, on 14 April, Penguin Random House India has acquired the first English language translation of the autobiography of Dr Ambedkar’s wife and social activist Savita Ambedkar. Originally written in Marathi, the book has been translated by critically acclaimed and award-winning translator Nadeem Khan. Titled Babasaheb: My Life with Dr B.R. Ambedkar, the book will be released in late 2022 under the Vintage imprint. 

A tenacious fighter, an outstanding scholar and an iconic leader, Dr B.R. Ambedkar was all that and more. In the book, his wife Savita brings alive a different side of Ambedkar—a man who wrote romantic letters, dictated what she should wear, whipped up delicious mutton curry, played the violin, and even tried his hand at sculpting. This is a book that humanizes Ambedkar as no other book has done yet.

Born in a middle-class Sarasvat Brahmin family, Dr Sharada Kabir met and got to know Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar as a patient riddled with life-threatening diseases. She eventually married him on 15 April 1948 and got rechristened as Savita Ambedkar. From the day of their marriage to the death of Dr B. R. Ambedkar on 6 December 1956, she aided him in some of his greatest achievements—drafting the Constitution of India, framing the Hindu Code Bill, writing some of his most celebrated books, including The Buddha and His Dhamma, leading millions of Dalits into Buddhism. Following his death, she was hounded into obscurity by some of Dr Ambedkar’s followers who saw her as a threat to their political ambitions. She re-emerged into public life in 1970 and got back to working on the mission to which her husband had devoted his life—the welfare of the Dalit community. Savita Ambedkar was given a state funeral when she passed away on 29 May 2003. Her autobiography, Dr Ambedkaraanchya Sahavaasaat, was first published in Marathi in 1990.

Translator of Babasaheb, Nadeem Khan says, ‘Since it opens another important (and certainly the most personal) window into Dr B. R. Ambedkar's life, it is easily the most significant book I have translated.’

Commenting on the upcoming book, Milee Ashwarya, Publisher, Ebury Publishing and Vintage, Penguin Random House India, says ‘Dr Savita Ambedkar’s book on her husband and the father of our constitution Dr B.R. Ambedkar has been expertly translated by Nadeem Khan from Marathi to English. I am delighted to acquire this hidden gem that will give us a fresh and intimate insight into one of the most iconic Indians of the twentieth century through some of the most defining moments in Indian history.’

The $10 Trillion Dream

The $10 Trillion Dream

Former Finance Secretary, Subhash Chandra Garg, launches his new book, titled, The $10 Trillion Dream. Published by Penguin Random House India, it provides a wide-angled and comprehensive view of the state of Indian economy and economic policy choices made and offers a bold template of policy reforms with pragmatic possibility of achieving the goal.

 

The $10 Trillion Dream analyses India’s macroeconomy in the light of its evolution since Independence and elaborates on the performance of the economy on macro parameters of growth, inflation, monetary management, credit management, foreign capital inflows, fiscal management, and other crucial fundamentals. Covering major sectors of the economy, such as agriculture, industry and services, the book also captures India’s progress towards becoming a digital economy. With an informative and in-depth approach, the book explores the critical policy issues that India faces today and suggests reforms for it to become a $10 Trillion economy by the mid-2030s.

 

Page Count: 712

Cost: INR 999.00