Mar 20, 2011 12:39 PM
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Introduction
Chanakya’s Chant is a political and historical thriller written by Ashwin Sanghi. As the name suggests, the central character of the novel is the legendary Chanakya or Kautilya, considered by many as the greatest politician of all times. Chanakya was the person who ensured the defeat of the forces of Alexander the Great and united a warring set of nations into one country Bharat (India), under the leadership of Chandragupta Maurya. Now you may be wondering, whether this is a history book or a novel, but be assured this is a historical thriller which will captivate even those who hate history.
About the Author
Ashwin Sanghi is an Indian businessman whose first novel was Rozabal Line (influenced by Da Vinci Code). The novel was promising, but somehow didn’t appeal to me. (Read my review of this novel https://mouthshut.com/review/Rozabal-Line-The-Ashwin-Sanghi-qtqpsuotln)
Now Sanghi comes out with his second venture and this one outclasses his previous book. The author can be proud of having delivered a masterpiece.
Concept & Plot
Don’t think that this is a historical novel, because it is not!! There are two plots running in parallel – one is in 340 BC at the time of Chanakya and the second is in the modern age. The story of Chanakya is interspersed with the story of Gangasagar Mishra, a modern Chankaya. Just as Chanakya strived to make Chandragupta the Emperor of India, Gangasagar has a single objective of making his protégé Chandini Gupta the Prime Minister of India. This is the theme of the entire novel.
Characters
You can meet famous characters from history like the despotic Nanda and his wily PM Rakshas. Alexander the Great, Seleucus Nicator, Porus, Ambhi and other characters from history play an important part and of course the infamous Vishaka – the vishkanya or poison lady used by Chanakya to assassinate his rivals.
In the modern era, the main character is Gangasagar Mishra, a UP politician who founds a party called ABNS and aspires to rule UP. The frontman for his party is a don Ikram and Mishra identifies a slum girl Chandini and gives her an Oxford education and plans to bring her into politics.
Storyline
While in 340 BC, Chanakya plots to make Chandragupta King; in the modern era, Mishra plots to make Chandini the PM. The book in fact opens with a bang. Mishra lies on his deathbed watching Chandini sworn in as the 18th PM of India. Just as she takes her oath, a bullet hits her and she falls down in a pool of blood!!
We then switch over to the era of Chanakya, where Vishaka seduces Porus and assassinates him. From this point onwards, the novel is in a flashback mode (a favourite technique of our moviemakers)!!
In flashback mode, we see the history of India unravel before us – the degenerate rule of Dhanananda, Chanakya’s vow, life at the Takshashila University, the grooming of Chandragupta, the blistering military campaign of Alexander the Great. The novel is a treat for history lovers. And if you never liked history, don’t worry at all, because Sanghi makes history looks like a Bollywood movie, a racy thriller with heroes, heroines, villains, vamps and seduction scenes. You will definitely enjoy the Chanakya part of the novel, which may not be 100% accurate, but uses a bit of fiction to spice up history.
The modern tale too is well-told. We see Gangasagar’s machinations, as he uses all the tricks possible to bring his party to power in UP and then makes Chandini the CM. How Mishra then attempts to make Chandini the PM, is the cream of the story. Chandini’s life in Oxford, her love affairs and how she evolves from a slum girl to a polished leader makes for interesting reading.
As you read the book, you will see many resemblances from today’s real world – Mayawati, Ambani brothers, cash for votes scam, Kandahar hijacking and so many other real situations are used as plot devices in the novel, which makes the novel more realistic.
Narration
The novel is well-written. The narration style is extremely good and especially the Oxford part of the novels reminds you of Jeffrey Archer. If Sanghi keeps up this style, he may well be India’s answer to Jeffrey Archer. Sanghi is a lover of history and how well he presents the history of India!! I would love to read history books if it is written by him.
The prose is good, narration is crisp and racy and the language used is simple, yet attractive. Believe me, once you start reading you wont feel like putting down this 441 page book.
Conclusion
As mentioned, the novel is a thriller and there are many unanswered questions through out the story. We get to know the answers for these questions only at the very end. What is Chanakya’s chant? How Chanakya fulfills his vow? Why is Mishra in hospital? Who shoots Chandni, does she survive? These are the questions, the answers to which, you can find only at the end of the novel. Sanghi maintains the mystery element well and the book is a very good thriller, one of the very best works of Indian fiction of its genre.
Pros
Highlights of the book:
a) Narration style that makes it fast-paced and you are never once bored,
b) You watch history unravel before your eyes, which is a real treat.
c) Well-created characters with parallels from real world
d) Intrigues of politics are well-depicted
e) I have no doubt that one day this book will be made into a movie and it could be a bigger hit than Rajneeti.
Cons
Some negatives of this book:
a) Too much of profanity used throughout the book.
b) Too many references to courtesans and lots of sex in the novel, which rules it out as reading for the under 18 category of readers.
Recommendation
If you like to read thrillers or mystery or history or politics; then this book will give you 100% value for money. I recommend this book to all lovers of fiction. This book probably marks the arrival of Sanghi as a celebrity Indian fiction-writer. I rate this book 9.25/10.
Do read this book, I am sure you will enjoy it.
