(Clash of Hindus vs Muslims)
Its always great to hear that Amish is publishing a new book but this news made me a little skeptical. This is the first time this book though endorsed by Amish is not solely his brain product. For those of you who don’t know it yet Amish has started a Writers centre and this book is the result of that. So the thing is the plot is conceived by Amish but the first draft is written by an anonymous writer in his writer centre but then edited by Amish of course. When you go through the book you keep thinking what if it was solely written by Amish. But when you go on reading, it gives you different experience altogether. But here is a piece of good news not all the books in future Amishverse will be written like this. There would some books which will be solely written by him like the Ramachandra series or few else. I am pretty sure we would keep on analyzing which one is better!! FYI Amish has recently announced a new non fiction book with his sister Bhavana, let’s see what this combination result in.
About the book –
After Mythology, Amish has ventured into Historical genre for the first time and this wouldn’t be the last one as Amish has planned many stories for his future endeavors. The protagonist of this book is Suheldev, he was a prince from a small Kingdom who later on went and defeated the Gaznavaid General Salar Maqsud at the Battle of Bahraich. This book is filled with patriotism and Religion. Amish is known to add on his learnings in his book but this time he went too deep. Hindu vs Muslims is the biggest problem in India right now or it was then too in 1034 CE.
Warning if you are looking for no spoilers review then this is not the one for you but it doesn’t have too much of it either. So venture at you own risk.
Plot –
This book is fictional so it might not be exact as it happened back then but who knows what happened then because there are not any authentic texts available for Suheldev. There is so much confusion around his name to know anything for sure. And that’s why I think we can pick up this book and get to know Amish’s version of Suheldev.
Young and rebellious Suheldev swears to avenge his brothers death and the destruction of Somnath Temple. But that coudnot be done as a direct attack on mighty Turks of Gaznvi so the smart prince finds a middle ground and become a bandit and try to finish off any Turks he can lay his hands on and help the needy in the process. He meets many great warriors in process and keeps on adding them to his army. Suheldev is honorable but he is also wise, he follows the rules of dharma when needed but discard any protocol which might hurt him later. Some might say he does some sinful things but all is far in love and war. And it has some love in it but just a little bit tiny portion of it and you can totally call it an action packed adventure filled with war strategies and explicit action sequences. It is as if they are happening in front of you. The book is well written offcourse as it done after thick research. Also the characters are very well etched sometimes it felt too way to precise as they came from writers learning class. Obviously the plot is good that’s why I managed to finish this book but the doubt seed is still there. But in between those lines somewhere along the way you find Amish and his philosophies making its way into your mind knowingly.
What I like in Suheldev is that he is smart not idealistic fool, he runs away from a battle he can’t win only to strike at an appropriate time. But the way he converts himself from a spoilet brat to an inspiring figure is such a common predictable plot point seems like if it is copied from an old bollwood movies. The book is good for a beginner level reader but sometimes I find some lines repetitive. Its like stating the obvious which makes you cringe sometimes but not all book is bad. Sometimes I feel like I am taking a history lesson, but I am not sure if its factual or fictional .
The good old Casteism – Hindu vs Muslims agenda
This book has throughly explored the Hindu and Muslim ideology and their conflicts. I would have to agree here that Muslims are always judged at a pedestal in India and anywhere else in the world. After the attack on Twin tower America has gone on an alert and watches Muslim with hawk eyes but we can’t blame them can we? But we also can’t blame innocent Muslims for the crime they didn’t commit. This book tries to revive that Hindu muslim brotherhood but we all have been raised like that unconsciously we are apprehensive of them. And the way Citizenship Amendment Act protests have turned out, Indian Muslims insecurities are justified. But this book goes too soft on Hindus. In short this book is like thesis of why Muslim hate hindus?
Conversion
The Muslim rulers have been notoriously infamous for forcing people to convert their religion. This book also points out this issue, and the atrocities committed on them for hiding their faith. I believe each and every individual should have the liberty to follow their own religion but you can’t force someone else to not to practice their beliefs until and unless if it’s hurting someone else.
Sufism
This would be my first time reading about sufism. Although this book doesn’t satiates my curiosity on the subject but its a good introduction. It doesn’t only gives you info on Hinduism but also on Islam as well. I particularly liked a dialogue in between Maulavi and Sufi Saint. It was like a verbal dual over scriptures.
My own views –
Sometimes it feels like I am reading some article where there are both questions and its answers. Sometimes it feels like this book is trying to create a certain mindset in the minds of the impressionble readers.
FYI it has the most awkward romantic instance ever, as it can beat if there was any before this book came out. I mean there wasn’t a need to have a romance in this book. And I am not the only who thinks that.
There are lines in this which are unoriginal it is as if I have read them before somewhere.
The book overall is like a social commentary on whats wrong with Hindus and Muslims even now. Its the basis of the book. Why did turks want to invade India and the world? Its like an essay on religion.
Maa Kali Regiment led by Toshani is good attempt in the book as tool f9r women empowerment. But it falls flat on face when this is not explored throughly. I wish they had used this women Regiment at the time of real war and highlighted their achievements if any but I was disappointment. Recruiting women to the armed forces has always been an conflicting issues. There are only few women in Indian armed forces and even lesser in the combat forces. Men always find one or another reason to intimidate women. I don’t say that I am inclined towards it but I don’t think we should stop anyone who willingly wants to make their career in this field. We can’t limit people on our judgemental views.
Pick or skip
Read the book if you are an Amish fan. You are fond of historical genre. Or have an affinity towards action scenes. Its a beginner level book so new readers can also pick this one.
If we talk about the difference between Amish book and writer centre book so I will there is some but it might improve over time. The plot and researcher is Amish level but the dialogues can be improved. In the end I enjoyed this book even though I am not an action genre fan but I wouldn’t have picked if it wasnot Amishs book. So even though I might have criticized this book for certain things I still think it’s a good book. I would give this book a 3 out of 5 stars.
P.S This book is already in the talks of becoming a motion picture but I hope this is not delayed as Immortals of Meluha.
#qotd – Any Amish fan out there? I would like to discuss his book and bond with you…
You can also connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads.
Follow me here on WordPress for more..
#Amish #Suheldev #BookReview #Reading
