Sandeep Balakrishna - 10 Lessons from Hindu History in 10 Episodes: Tales of Grit, Heroism and Valour

Sandeep Balakrishna

10 Lessons from Hindu History in 10 Episodes

Tales of Grit, Heroism and Valour

Copyright 2020 by Sandeep Balakrishna

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Dedicated to the nameless warriors who throughout the ages fought for their ancient Dharma till the end.

It is because the blood they shed and the sacrifices they endured that India still retains her original name: Bharatavarsha

This work is a collection of ten episodes and stories from the nearly inexhaustible mine called the history of India. They were first published in The Dharma Dispatch as magazine-style essays. Owing to the generous and substantial feedback and suggestions by well-wishers and readers alike, they have been compiled into the book you are now reading. These essays have been significantly expanded with additional information with references and notes at the end of each chapter.

The criteria for selecting only these ten episodes are rather straightforward. The first is the variety of the historical topics covered in these episodes, which becomes evident as you read. The second is to uncover and offer relatively obscure events not generally covered both in popular and public narratives about Indian history. The third is the insights and valuable lessons they offer Hindus as a civilisational people and India as a civilisational state.

Perhaps no other people have fought as hard and for so long and endured centuries of humiliation and tyranny under alien despotisms and finally emerged victorious as the Hindus. This among others is a fundamental reason why a thorough and truthful study and retelling of this history is needed. The study of Hindu history is also a study of values and inspiration and a profound spiritual yearning that subconsciously continues to guide Hindus. It is also what makes India a unique and distinctive country which is not primarily defined by its politics but by its philosophy and spirituality. The essays in this work both tangentially and explicitly bring out these aspects.

Like my other books, 10 Lessons from Hindu History in 10 Episodes is envisaged as a popular narrative without overlooking or taking liberties with historical accuracy. I hope you will find this book useful and informative and that it will kindle your interest in Indian history, which like the Indian Ocean at Kanyakumari, is vast, infinite and abundant with invaluable treasures.

Needless, any errors in the book are mine alone and I stand corrected in advance.

SANDEEP BALAKRISHNA

01 September 2020

An inspiring and moving historical narrative about the 11th Century king, the immortal Paramara Bhoja