Catagory: Children

‘Rewires how we think of nation-building’

Charles Assisi, technology columnist at Hindustan Times

From factories to farms, battlefields to boardrooms, clinics to classrooms—in the years since Independence, modern technology has swept through all corners of Indian life.

But back in 1947, this seemed impossible. Low literacy, poverty and lack of expertise meant that newly independent India was unable to afford the mighty technologies of World War II that were reshaping the globe. Yet, a determined team of far-sighted policymakers and scientists dared to make the impossible possible.

Today, India is home to leading software companies and a world-renowned space programme. For many Indians, modern technology has become part of daily life.

Uncoded: A Technological History of Independent India is a story of one of the greatest technological transformations in the modern world. Blending a unique narrative with illustrations, trivia, anecdotes and an informative timeline, it explores how a nation used science and technology to rebuild itself and reimagine its destiny against all odds.

USPs

• A one-of-a-kind and first book for teens on the fascinating evolution of technology in India.
• Packed with memes, pop-culture references, and interactive elements that teens love, this isn’t an average history book but a lucid and relatable book for contemporary readers.
• Perfect for aspiring engineers, gamers, app developers and science enthusiasts.
• Get insider stories on how major tech revolutions happened—told through a mix of storytelling, illustrations and cool facts.
• Explores how homegrown innovations are putting India on the global tech map.
• Aligns with STEM and social studies curricula. Perfect for school reading lists and supplementary reading.
• Includes infographics, timelines, and quick explainer sections.
• Part of a history series on Independent India written for young readers, following 2 acclaimed titles: After Midnight: A History of Independent India (2022) and Unearthed: An Environmental History of Independent India (2020).

More than four centuries ago in India, a Muslim woman ruled a magnificent empire: Nur Jahan, whose name means ‘light of the world’. Nur led troops into battle atop an elephant, hunted tigers, designed public buildings, and issued coinage and royal decrees in her own name.
In a world dominated by men, her astute handling of court politics and affairs of state propelled her to the position of co-sovereign of the vast Mughal Empire—and made her mighty enemies, who would plot to bring about her downfall.
Tiger Slayer combines the gifts of historian Ruby Lal and artist Molly Crabapple to uncover the vibrant and diverse culture of Mughal India and tell the compelling story of a daring, brilliant woman who achieved unequalled power and fame.

‘Historian Lal demonstrates exemplary historical methodology throughout as she traces the life of Nur Jahan … Crabapple’s full-colour illustrations transform the pages into windows onto Mughal India’s opulent world … a product of Lal’s extensive research for her adult biography, lending additional credibility to an already well-documented narrative that successfully combines scholarly rigor with engaging storytelling. Sets a new standard for works celebrating overlooked historical figures’ –Kirkus

‘Nur would say: Ruby Lal is a fountain of light, Molly Crabapple the prism of the age’ –Irwin Allan Sealy

‘Adulatory, deeply satisfying, well documented, and filled with strikingly gorgeous illustrations, this is a fitting tribute for an empress’ –Kathleen McBroom ― BOOKLIST Advance Review

‘Sometimes when creative souls come together for a project and pour their passion into it, the end result is a product that is utterly perfect. This is one of those rare gems’ –Jaya Bhattacharji Rose, Ace Literary Consulting

‘Celebrated historian Ruby Lal and award-winning illustrator Molly Crabapple put the spotlight on the awe-inspiring true story of empress Nur Jahan, the only woman to ever rule the Mughal Empire. With Tiger Slayer, get on board an immersive journey through Nur Jahan’s world, full of ancient rivers and rose gardens, whispered poems and fearless power plays’ –Farah Khatoon, T2 Goodlife