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Bharat's Military Conquests In Foreign Lands
Between 900 BCE and 1680 CE, at least 21 military expeditions were launched by Indian rulers across raging seas and beyond the most formidable mountains to far-off foreign lands. There, Indian fleets and armies clashed with some of the mightiest military powers of human history. This myth-busting book provides a thrilling yet true account of these expeditions and explores what they tell us about the “Indic strategic mindset” from a historical perspective.
- GenresHistoryIndiaNonfiction
368 pages, Paperback
Published May 4, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 17, 2023
Bharat's Military Conquests In Foreign Lands by Venkatesh Rangan
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The history of India taught in schools typically emphasizes a single narrative: that of a nation riddled with internal conflicts and constantly subjected to invasions and so-called 'Military Conquests.'
However, it begs the question of its accuracy. Is it not wrong to assume that a homeland that gave rise to numerous heroic empires was so content within itself that no individuals from our land aspired to venture beyond its borders and conquer foreign lands?
Venkatesh Rangan's third book "Bharat's Military Conquests In Foreign Lands"delves into the lesser-known achievements of some of the most renowned emperors of Bharat.
While Ashoka and Rajendra Chola are familiar names, this book uncovers the motivations and endeavors of several other Kings, their relations with foreign empires, and how foreign rulers perceive them.
The chapter on Chandragupta Vikramaditya's conquests is eye-opening, shedding light on the magnitude of his achievements. Kunala Maurya's story provides insight into the empire's longevity.
The author's meticulous research is evident through immersive details and insightful quotations from Kalidasa's Raghuvamsa, highlighting the lack of comprehensive historical scholarship.
By incorporating international political context from various sources, such as Persia, Arabia, Java, and Burma, the book breathes life into stone inscriptions. Venkatesh maintains a careful balance between hypotheses and facts, resulting in captivating reading.
This book is a remarkable endeavor, shedding new light on the past. While it seems historical evidence was available but neglected over centuries, the author's work renews our understanding.
.
.
The history of India taught in schools typically emphasizes a single narrative: that of a nation riddled with internal conflicts and constantly subjected to invasions and so-called 'Military Conquests.'
However, it begs the question of its accuracy. Is it not wrong to assume that a homeland that gave rise to numerous heroic empires was so content within itself that no individuals from our land aspired to venture beyond its borders and conquer foreign lands?
Venkatesh Rangan's third book "Bharat's Military Conquests In Foreign Lands"delves into the lesser-known achievements of some of the most renowned emperors of Bharat.
While Ashoka and Rajendra Chola are familiar names, this book uncovers the motivations and endeavors of several other Kings, their relations with foreign empires, and how foreign rulers perceive them.
The chapter on Chandragupta Vikramaditya's conquests is eye-opening, shedding light on the magnitude of his achievements. Kunala Maurya's story provides insight into the empire's longevity.
The author's meticulous research is evident through immersive details and insightful quotations from Kalidasa's Raghuvamsa, highlighting the lack of comprehensive historical scholarship.
By incorporating international political context from various sources, such as Persia, Arabia, Java, and Burma, the book breathes life into stone inscriptions. Venkatesh maintains a careful balance between hypotheses and facts, resulting in captivating reading.
This book is a remarkable endeavor, shedding new light on the past. While it seems historical evidence was available but neglected over centuries, the author's work renews our understanding.
.
December 6, 2023
"Bharat's Military Conquests In Foreign Lands" by Venkatesh Rangan is a captivating exploration of India's lesser-known military expeditions between 900 BCE and 1680 CE. Rangan's meticulous research and storytelling prowess bring to life the thrilling narratives of at least 21 expeditions launched by Indian rulers across seas and mountains, challenging the traditional narrative of India as a passive recipient of invasions!
The book dispels the notion of a historically insular India by delving into the motivations and endeavors of renowned emperors, such as Ashoka, Rajendra Chola, Chandragupta Vikramaditya, and Kunala Maurya. Rangan's detailed examination of Chandragupta Vikramaditya's conquests and Kunala Maurya's story adds layers to our understanding of India's historical achievements.
One of the strengths of the book is its international perspective. Rangan seamlessly weaves in the political context from various sources, providing a holistic view of India's engagements with foreign empires in Persia, Arabia, Java, and Burma. The incorporation of quotations from Kalidasa's Raghuvamsa adds a literary dimension, highlighting the depth of the author's research.
The author maintains a delicate balance between hypotheses and facts, creating a narrative that is both immersive and well-supported. Rangan's exploration of stone inscriptions and historical evidence, long neglected or overlooked, adds a fresh perspective to India's military history.
The book challenges prevailing historical narratives and invites readers to reconsider India's past through a new lens. Venkatesh Rangan's work is a significant contribution to historical scholarship, offering a nuanced and compelling account of India's military conquests in foreign lands. "Bharat's Military Conquests In Foreign Lands" is a must-read for those seeking a deeper understanding of India's rich and diverse history beyond the conventional narratives!
The book dispels the notion of a historically insular India by delving into the motivations and endeavors of renowned emperors, such as Ashoka, Rajendra Chola, Chandragupta Vikramaditya, and Kunala Maurya. Rangan's detailed examination of Chandragupta Vikramaditya's conquests and Kunala Maurya's story adds layers to our understanding of India's historical achievements.
One of the strengths of the book is its international perspective. Rangan seamlessly weaves in the political context from various sources, providing a holistic view of India's engagements with foreign empires in Persia, Arabia, Java, and Burma. The incorporation of quotations from Kalidasa's Raghuvamsa adds a literary dimension, highlighting the depth of the author's research.
The author maintains a delicate balance between hypotheses and facts, creating a narrative that is both immersive and well-supported. Rangan's exploration of stone inscriptions and historical evidence, long neglected or overlooked, adds a fresh perspective to India's military history.
The book challenges prevailing historical narratives and invites readers to reconsider India's past through a new lens. Venkatesh Rangan's work is a significant contribution to historical scholarship, offering a nuanced and compelling account of India's military conquests in foreign lands. "Bharat's Military Conquests In Foreign Lands" is a must-read for those seeking a deeper understanding of India's rich and diverse history beyond the conventional narratives!
September 27, 2023
Bharat's Military Conquests In Foreign Land by Venkatesh Rangan is an engaging exploration of the military conquests and campaigns of the Indian rulers in the foreign lands. It is a compelling historical book that delves into India's rich military history, exploring the various conquests and campaigns that have shaped the subcontinent over centuries. This book offers a detailed and well-researched account of India's military conquests, spanning from 900 BCE to 1680 CE. The author skillfully narrates the tales of legendary Indian warriors and their remarkable campaigns, providing readers with a deep understanding of the strategies, tactics, and battles that defined these eras. The book is divided into 5 different sections based on the different geographical areas. This book covers at least 21 military expedition which were launched by different Indian rulers. It is well-researched, with meticulous attention to historical accuracy. It is an invaluable contribution to the study of Indian military history. It is a must-read for history enthusiasts eager to explore the martial history of one of the world's oldest civilizations.
July 1, 2023
'Bharat's Military Conquests in Foreign Lands' is a unique book in the sense that it narrates the exploits of Indian rulers who ventured into foreign lands to establish their presence and establish just administration. Very little has been written about these exploits or the glory of Indian rulers who influenced foreign natives and their rulers to strengthen their roots with the cultural ethos of India. Hail the heroism of Shivaji Maharaj, the great or Rajendra Chola who traversed miles through sea and land to establish their military prowess and presence. An interesting study on an ignored but important part of Indian history.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews