Review of “Chanakya” –
Ashok K. Banker
Chanakya as we all know was a great economist and the
pioneer of Chanakya Neeti. But, what
was he like as a kid? This book, the first in a trilogy, tells the story of a
seven year old, who is exceptionally intelligent and who sometime in his life
would go on to become the Guru of the
founder of the Mauryan Empire.
Vishnu Gupta is just an average seven year old, who is blessed with
photographic memory and immense intellect. He is brainier than his own Guru and challenges even the brightest minds
he meets. Vishnu, along with his parents and sisters goes to Nanda Empire to
attend a conclave of the most learned minds in the region. Bound to attend and
bored in the children’s conclave, he intends to attend the conclave of the more
scholarly ones. One day, he gets his chance. While in the conference of the Gurus, he speaks up and challenges the
ideology of one of the Guru. Although
admonished by the Gurus on the panel,
he caches the eye of Maha Amatya,
better known as Rakshasa, the Prime
Minister of the king Mahapadma Nanda.
Rakshasa, the ruthless, with the devious mind, deceitfully advises the king and
tortures the common folk. Now, the Rakshasa
has his eyes on acquiring Vishnu’s young genius for himself and devises and
evil plan to keep him there.
The book provides a very refreshing take towards the well-known story of
Chanakya, what made him interested in
the politics and economics of the time. The story is an easy read and it is enticing
to read about the clever antics of young Chanakya.
The book ends at a cliff-hanger leaving the readers craving and eagerly
awaiting the next one in the series.
My take: Grab this one and keep a look out for Book 2 and 3 in this
series.
Book Courtesy: Westland and WritersMelon
