Exploring the lives of two remarkable women who chose to enter a field of activity which, in the middle of the nineteenth century, was seen a male domain, this book brings to light how unusual circumstances catapulted Begum Hazrat Mahal of Awadh and Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi into the rebellion of 1857. Both of them sacrificed their lives trying to overthrow the British rule, which they considered to be alien and oppressive. Their resistance and their deaths are heroic and poignant.
The book captures the different trajectories of their lives and their struggles. In different but adjacent geographies these two women, both married into royal houses, decided to uphold traditions of ruling and culture that their husbands had established. These traditions had been subverted by the policies of Lord Dalhousie who had annexed both Awadh and Jhansi. While noting these similarities, it should be highlighted that Awadh was a large and sprawling kingdom with a long history whereas Jhansi was a small principality.
The rani and the begum never met, even though they were embroiled in the same struggle. It is the rebellion of 1857-58 that provides the context, which makes these two outstanding women feature in the same narrative. This book tells the story of two women in a rebellion.
The afterlives of the begum and the rani took on very different hues. The rani was made a nationalist icon: a woman on horseback with a raised sword, who died in battle. The begum was a relatively forgotten figure who did not get her due place in the roll call of honour. Revisiting the revolt of 1857 from a unique perspective and looking at their afterlives, the myths, this book attempts to set the record straight.
Looking at the revolt of 1857 from a different perspective, A Begum & A Rani is an act of retrieval.
Archives: Books
Asoca
The mastermind behind one of the deadliest wars fought.
The proponent of ahimsa.
Who was the man? Who was the king?
Who was Asoca?
“Sealy’s distinct technique and his singular meandering and descriptive narrative form have ensured him […] unequalled standing in [the] world of Indian writing in English” – The Guardian
Asoca-often spelled Ashoka-was hailed as Ashoka the Great, the emperor who ruled most of the Indian Subcontinent and was pivotal in the spread of Buddhism from India to other parts of Asia in the third century BC.
But his life as emperor was not always led by non-violence. History has it that he masterminded one of the biggest and deadliest wars ever fought, and it was the insurmountable grief he experienced at the sight of the people dying and dead on the battleground that made him turn to Buddhism and take a vow of ahimsa.
Who was the man, and who was the king? What were his demons, and what gave him strength? This historical novel, drawn from research and portrayed with energy and complexity, transports the reader to the era of the Mauryan dynasty with atmospheric vividness and insight. Epic in scope and Shakespearean in drama, Asoca: A Sutra leaves the reader breathless with the full-bodied richness of Sealy’s prose, his trademark whimsy and his imaginative modern reconstruction of that enigmatic and brilliant ruler of the Indian subcontinent.
Nida Finds a Way (hOle Books)
Whenever Nida wants to do something new, Abba is scared for her and says NONONO. But Nida needs to learn and do new things–so the only way is for her to persuade Abba. Can she find a way?
A Pinch of Magic (hOle Books)
Veena’s aunt Malu is in trouble. Her pinching spoon is broken. She must get a new spoon or close down her herbal medicine business. But the only person who makes pinching spoons has disappeared. Can Veena help her aunt?
Unmasked
I imagined a game of dominoes, or the game we’d played when we were little-‘hai sha, hui sha, we all fall down’
The year 2020 will forever be reported as the time when we all fell down. But it was also the year we all got back up and were forced to come together in a way we had never imagined before.
In this timely masterpiece, Paro Anand writes of despair, courage and hope. Through eighteen short stories, she introduces us to characters who feel familiar and their stories intimate.
From a mother and son looking to make ends meet as the lockdown brutally affects their lives to a housewife who’s a victim of domestic abuse, from young keyboard wizards keen on making a difference to a home delivery executive who becomes an unlikely hero, this book unmasks the layers of the year that changed us all.
Make this book your very own by adding your unique pandemic experience to make it COVID’S 19 stories.
The Great Big Lion
A fun colorful story + activity book for kids on empathy, friendship, nature & more (Animal story + number and pattern activities | Parent-child book for 1 year old & above)
‘. . . A VERY APPEALING ANIMAL STORY’-KIRKUS REVIEWS
Long, long ago, there was a Great Big Lion. Tom and Lily were fascinated by him. They loved to hear him ROAR! But one day, the lion vanished without a trace. And so, off went Tom and Lily to find and bring back their friend, the Great Big Lion.
Written by one of the youngest writers in the world, this board book will connect to your child and make them think about empathy, friendship, nature and conservation. Dive into this fun read that combines storytelling and learning through patterns and numbers.
My Little Book of Ganesha
Let’s dive into the vast and wonderful world of Hindu mythology!
Clever Ganesha’s got something on his mind, but what that is you’ll have to read on to find.
With charming illustrations and simple language, this short tale about Ganesha will entertain and delight.
· This series of charmingly illustrated board books introduces kids to some of the best known and best loved gods from popular Hindu mythology, including Krishna, Ganesha, Lakshmi, Hanuman, Shiva and Durga.
· Dotted with interesting facts about each god as well as an interactive seek-and-find activity.
· Suitable for bedtime reading and parent-child association.
· Perfect way to familiarize babies with India’s rich cultural fabric.
· These books offer a fun and enjoyable introduction to timeless myths and festivals for modern kids.
· A must have to impart important life lessons from various gods and goddesses.
· Collect all books in the series!
WHY YOU SHOULD BUY THIS BOOK:
· AGE APPROPRIATE: Written in simple language to make reading easy for readers 3 and up
· STURDY AND DURABLE: Perfect for learning and playing for a long time
· SAFE FOR BABY: Handy format makes this safe for your baby
· PERFECTLY SIZED BOOKS: Easy and convenient for little readers to hold
· BRIGHT AND FUN PICTURES: To keep your little one interested and engaged
· A PERFECT GIFT SET: For every preschooler for a holistic learning experience
My Little Book of Lakshmi
Let’s dive into the vast and wonderful world of Hindu mythology!
Lovely Lakshmi comes to Earth once a year. Will she have a good time here?
With charming illustrations and simple language, this short tale about Lakshmi will entertain and delight.
· This series of charmingly illustrated board books introduces kids to some of the best known and best loved gods from popular Hindu mythology, including Krishna, Ganesha, Lakshmi, Hanuman, Shiva and Durga.
· Dotted with interesting facts about each god as well as an interactive seek-and-find activity.
· Suitable for bedtime reading and parent-child association.
· Perfect way to familiarize babies with India’s rich cultural fabric.
· These books offer a fun and enjoyable introduction to timeless myths and festivals for modern kids.
· A must have to impart important life lessons from various gods and goddesses.
· Collect all books in the series!
WHY YOU SHOULD BUY THIS BOOK:
· AGE APPROPRIATE: Written in simple language to make reading easy for readers 3 and up
· STURDY AND DURABLE: Perfect for learning and playing for a long time
· SAFE FOR BABY: Handy format makes this safe for your baby
· PERFECTLY SIZED BOOKS: Easy and convenient for little readers to hold
· BRIGHT AND FUN PICTURES: To keep your little one interested and engaged
· A PERFECT GIFT SET: For every preschooler for a holistic learning experience
My Little Book of Krishna
Let’s dive into the vast and wonderful world of Hindu mythology!
Naughty little Krishna’s search for butter leads to an unexpected adventure.
With charming illustrations and simple language, this short tale about Krishna will entertain and delight.
· This series of charmingly illustrated board books introduces kids to some of the best known and best loved gods from popular Hindu mythology, including Krishna, Ganesha, Lakshmi, Hanuman, Shiva and Durga.
· Dotted with interesting facts about each god as well as an interactive seek-and-find activity.
· Suitable for bedtime reading and parent-child association.
· Perfect way to familiarize babies with India’s rich cultural fabric.
· These books offer a fun and enjoyable introduction to timeless myths and festivals for modern kids.
· A must have to impart important life lessons from various gods and goddesses.
· Collect all books in the series!
WHY YOU SHOULD BUY THIS BOOK:
· AGE APPROPRIATE: Written in simple language to make reading easy for readers 3 and up
· STURDY AND DURABLE: Perfect for learning and playing for a long time
· SAFE FOR BABY: Handy format makes this safe for your baby
· PERFECTLY SIZED BOOKS: Easy and convenient for little readers to hold
· BRIGHT AND FUN PICTURES: To keep your little one interested and engaged
· A PERFECT GIFT SET: For every preschooler for a holistic learning experience
Big Mistake
A label-defying anthology for every young adult
Insecurities and assurances, conflict and solidarity, fearfulness and courage-the personal histories, stories and #ownvoices in this anthology cover a lot of ground in just a few pages. Let them spark conversations on love, identity, disability, family, body positivity, ambition and other tough stuff. After all, no matter how old we get, growing up can feel like one big mistake.
– Helmed by a powerful foreword by Shaheen Bhatt
– A modern and bold take on the once-popular Chicken Soup for the Soul series, to give readers hope, comfort, courage and love with stories that are told from the heart
– Includes fiction, non-fiction and poetry from:
Saina Nehwal, badminton superstar
Parvati Sharma, author of several children’s and adult novels
Japleen Pasricha, founder-CEO of Feminism in India
Nandana Dev Sen, writer, child-rights activist and award-winning actor
Anusha Misra, founder of Revival Disability Magazine
Nikhil Taneja, CEO of Yuvaa
Andaleeb Wajid, author of over twenty-five novels
Neha Singh, children’s author, theatre practitioner and women’s rights activist
Jane De Suza, award-winning author of children’s fiction
Hannah Lalhlanpuii, debut author
Sonaksha Iyengar, illustrator, graphic recorder and book designer
Kautuk Srivastava, writer and comedian