#476 - Of Revolutionaries and Bravehearts : Notable Tales From Indian History
by Mallika Ravikumar and illustrated by Sai Mandlik
“Of Revolutionaries and Bravehearts : Notable Tales From Indian History” by Mallika Ravikumar and illustrated by Sai Mandlik. Published by Penguin. A riveting collection of eight historical stories which give a glimpse into notable events that have shaped the present.
History is often presented either as a boring set of facts or just the stories of important people such as kings and queens. We come across the legends of battles and wars which led to the rise and fall of kingdoms. We also find living examples of art and architecture from history around us. But history is much more than that. Stories of ordinary people, their thoughts and beliefs, their language and food, their livelihood and culture. They are hardly given a thought and get lost amidst the main stories. Stories are narrated in four broad categories through the lens of class and conflict, symbols and language, creativity and enterprise and power and perspective. They help the readers to know how history is so relevant and meaningful.
There are tales of people from different walks of life. From sweepers to merchants, saints to robbers, sailors to sculptors and even pirates. Pandurang Sane aka Sane Guruji who undertook a fast unto death until the lower caste people were allowed into the temple of God Vithal at Pandharpur. He was not a lower caste person himself and therefore not discriminated against. But he felt that they were subjected to unjust treatment. Today a sizeable population of Indians (like us) are educated in English and speak it more fluently than their mother tongues in a majority of cases. What does this have to do with the British East India company? The grand monuments of Mahabalipuram seem to have been left unfinished for some reason. What events might have transpired for the artists and their patrons to have abandoned their work at this stage? What is the connection between tea, opium and Indian history? While Vasco da Gama is hailed as a great explorer in the west, was he one in reality from the viewpoint of Indians?
These are tales that have been buried in the sands of time. They are needed to find meaning in our past. Each of the stories are followed by sections where the author discusses how the story can be connected with the world around us and the history hidden in the story. Read this powerful and engrossing book that is going to make one fall in love with history. Every story in the book is going to make one think and analyse how it is connected to our lives today. While we knew some facts/characters that we came across in a couple of the stories partially, most were new for us.
My nine year old was hooked to the stories and found the book very interesting. As the topics are deep, we took it slow and read it leisurely. We loved the selection of the topics addressed in the books and how they have been woven into stories. I was fascinated by the story of how opium and tea shaped history. The story on language left me wondering what would have happened if Macaulay hadn’t succeeded in his mission. The impact of certain actions can leave such long lasting effects and change lives forever. It is heartening to see topics such as these coming up in children’s books. The book is definitely a “MUST READ” as it makes history so interesting.
P.S - Some of the other books related to history that we have read and enjoyed this year are “The Ghost of Malabar”, “Batata, Pao and All Things Portuguese” and “The People of the Indus”.
Recommended Age
The book is apt for children aged 10 and above.