Anu Kumar – författare

''Uchchaishravas broke through the frothy white waters and galloped across the ocean bed...'' He was the magnificent seven-headed heavenly steed who flew across the skies faster than human thought. A symbol of Lord Indra''s glory Uchchaishravas carried him in grand processions dangerous battles and exciting adventures. Read about his splendid life...

A darkly lyrical and slyly ambiguous account of love, loss and fury. When Gautam Dogra is found murdered in his study one afternoon in the small hill station of Brooks Town, the police dismiss it as a relatively simple case. But Charlotte Hyde knows well that a murder never happens in a day – it follows its own timeline. As Kerketta, Charlotte’s old retainer, always said, a murder is written into your life at the very beginning. As Charlotte begins telling the story of Dogra’s death, it soon becomes clear that his story can only be fully understood in the light of many other stories. Of her estranged daughter, Maddy, of the political climes in which they lived. Of lost hopes and lost loves, of small humiliations and disillusionments and, above all, of the slow incitement to violence that the terror of loss brings into quiet lives.

‘Banasura used his thousand arms to good effect, wielding five hundred bows that sent off a storm of arrows towards Krishna...’Banasura was fierce to look at with his thousand arms carrying a thousand different weapons. He had an equally fierce personality, whereby he terrorized humans, gods and even imprisoned his own daughter! He waged the greatest battle of his life against Lord Krishna. Read about his unmatched weapons of war…

‘He charged forward, his head lowered, his horns curved and menacing, symbolizing destruction...’He was the much-feared asura who was more powerful than the bravest warrior on earth, stronger than the divine beings in Heaven. Mahishasura, the buffalo demon, unleashed such a reign of terror, that it finally took the combined forces of all the gods to defeat him. Read about his thrilling battles…

‘I made vamana a promise and I am duty bound to keep my word...’Although he was an asura, he was loved by all. Mahabali was one of the most generous kings to have walked the earth. He was brave and powerful and used his boons and riches wisely for the betterment of his kingdom. A visionary and a warrior, Bali was admired and worshipped in all corners of the world. Read about his magnificent sacrifices and his great kindness to all…

‘Banasura used his thousand arms to good effect, wielding five hundred bows that sent off a storm of arrows towards Krishna...’Banasura was fierce to look at with his thousand arms carrying a thousand different weapons. He had an equally fierce personality, whereby he terrorized humans, gods and even imprisoned his own daughter! He waged the greatest battle of his life against Lord Krishna. Read about his unmatched weapons of war…

“A learned man and a king are not equal, as the former is respected everywhere, but the latter only in his own dominions.”Canny, contemplative and courageous, Chanakya is known as one of India’s most multifaceted and enduring gurus. His smart, sage advice, captured forever in the twin classic treatises – the Arthashastra and the Nitishastra – has both the detailing of a draughtsman and the wide-ranging wisdom of a genius. Scholar, teacher, visionary, political strategist, economic philosopher and royal adviser, Chanakya put forth invaluable lessons that changed the course of history.Humiliated by Dhana Nanda, the ruler of Magadha, Chanakya turned adversity into strength and challenge into opportunity. Through clever diplomatic manoeuvres and wise confrontations, he choreographed young Chandragupta’s rise as the founder of the Mauryan empire, the first of its kind in power and territorial extent. Melding his knowledge with a shrewd observance of life, Chanakya outlined political and economic philosophies in a long-lasting body of pithy truths. And that is why, centuries later, his work and his words matter in today’s world.This book brings together the transformative incidents that shaped Chanakya’s life, and his most important sayings. From his understanding of the ideal way of life, you too can learn to be a little bit like Chanakya.PLUS:* Flipbook action page corner for a touch of fun* Timeline: A chronology of Chanakya’s life* Bonus Teachings!: A hundred tactical tips from Chanakya’s treasury of wisdom

‘In the battle for liberty, fear is the one unforgivable sin’She always wanted to be wild and free like the birds, but she became much more: the Bulbul-e-Hind or the Nightingale of India. A child prodigy, Sarojini Naidu née Chattopadhyay grew to be so fearless and gifted that she was an example to all. Gopal Krishna Gokhale led her to devote her song and speech, thought and dreams to ‘the Motherland’ and she never wavered in leading or following the cause, right into jail several times. Wise, lyrical and feisty, Sarojini Naidu brought intelligence, energy and intensity to the independence movement. She was the first woman to become President of the Indian National Congress, and later the Governor of Uttar Pradesh.Her frequent ill health never subdued her spirit. Her irreverence was legendary – she was the one who gave Mahatma Gandhi the endearing nickname of ‘Mickey Mouse’. A staunch patriot, a unique poet, an efficient administrator, a progressive reformer and a women’s activist, she was hailed as a fiery public speaker. It is not surprising then that Women’s Day in India is celebrated on the birthday of Sarojini Naidu, a heroine then, and an inspiration now and forever. This book brings together her outstanding work and words, and highlights the main tenets of her life. From her stellar role in the difficult times she lived in, you too can learn to be a little bit like Sarojini Naidu.

‘Take up one idea. . . Make that one idea your life. . . This is the way to success’Single-minded and multifaceted, the master of many subjects and devoted disciple of Shri Ramakrishna, Swami Vivekananda was a global citizen far ahead of his times. At once a yogi and worldly-wise, this early ambassador of India introduced the western world to Indian civilization, while he encouraged Indians to discard divisive rituals and social hierarchies to build a united, equal, modern nation. A dedicated but free-thinking student, a reformer, teacher and writer, he was an eloquent orator whose speeches – especially at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago – put Indian spirituality and philosophy on the map, and ignited hearts and minds everywhere.His way was both of meditation and action, leading from the front while humbly serving the poor. He put his faith in young people and exhorted them to work towards regenerating India. It is not surprising then that National Youth Day in India is celebrated on the birthday of Swami Vivekananda, a leading light then, and an inspiration now and forever.This book brings together Swami Vivekananda’s stellar work and words, and highlights the main tenets of his life. From his regretfully short but exceptional life, you too can learn to be a little bit like Swami Vivekananda.

The incredible stories of the most powerful and ambitious rulers in Indian history.They ruled vast and influential kingdoms across our country. They laid down laws and systems of administration. They fought wars that had far-reaching impact, and negotiated peaceful times that nurtured the arts and the sciences. They made decisions that, whether right or wrong, shaped events and moulded our culture. They were the kings and queens who played lead roles in the spectacular drama of India’s past. From Kanishka, Harshavardhana, Razia, Akbar and Ranjit Singh in the north to Narasimhavarman, Rajaraja Chola, Krishnadevaraya, Mangammal, Marthanda Varma and Tipu Sultan in the south, and from Gautamiputra Satakarni, Amoghavarsha, Mihira Bhoja and Shivaji in the west to Bimbisara, Chandragupta Maurya, Ashoka, Gopala I and the Bhaumakara queens in the east – this book tells the riveting stories of close to 50 important rulers whose actions left a mark on the history of India. Read about their lives and the times they lived in, what they achieved and what they failed at – and why they are still remembered – in Kings and Queens of India. Packed with intriguing facts, this comprehensive volume is the perfect introduction to India’s rich and utterly fascinating royal heritage.*Dynasties Download: Important dynasties and their significance*Impact Summary: Why these monarchs matter in history*Top Trivia: Fun facts about Indian royals

Meet a hundred famous people who started small but made a big difference in the world.It’s easy to forget that all the great people who shaped the world we live in – inventors, leaders, writers, actors, musicians, environmentalists, reformers, athletes and artists – were once children, just like you! That there was something – a spark, a talent, a curiosity or just a dream – which was shaped by them as they grew, and led them to become amazing achievers who inspired others to look at things in a different way.From Anne Frank to Malala Yousafzai, Marco Polo to Muhammad Yunus, Jesse Owens to Thandiwe Chama, Jagadish Chandra Bose to Albert Einstein, and Charles Darwin to Coco Chanel, Wonder Kids gives you a peek into the childhoods of icons from different walks of life. Tracing how their thoughts and actions as children had an impact on their communities or the whole world later, the compact life stories in this book have a common, shining message – that you are never too young to start to break the mould!