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Name, Place, Magic!: Stories of How Indian States Got Their Names
Every place has a story. And sometimes, the story starts with a name.
Have you heard of the fifty runaway sons of a sage who built a new land called Andhra? Or of a ruler named Vanga, whose kingdom by the mighty waters came to be known as West Bengal? What about the land of Jharkhand, named for the deep bond its people have with the forest?
Filled twenty-eight fascinating stories filled with gods, goddesses, warriors and adventures, Name, Place, Magic! is a book for every child from every corner of India. Whether you are from the lush fields of Punjab or the tea gardens of Assam, from Kerala's sunny shores or the misty hills of Meghalaya, your home has a name that holds centuries of meaning, memory and magic.
For anyone who has ever wondered how Indian states got their names, this enchanting book of myths and legends will take readers on a magical journey across the diverse landscapes of India.
Have you heard of the fifty runaway sons of a sage who built a new land called Andhra? Or of a ruler named Vanga, whose kingdom by the mighty waters came to be known as West Bengal? What about the land of Jharkhand, named for the deep bond its people have with the forest?
Filled twenty-eight fascinating stories filled with gods, goddesses, warriors and adventures, Name, Place, Magic! is a book for every child from every corner of India. Whether you are from the lush fields of Punjab or the tea gardens of Assam, from Kerala's sunny shores or the misty hills of Meghalaya, your home has a name that holds centuries of meaning, memory and magic.
For anyone who has ever wondered how Indian states got their names, this enchanting book of myths and legends will take readers on a magical journey across the diverse landscapes of India.
207 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 23, 2025
1 person is currently reading
4 people want to read
About the author
Shweta Ganesh Kumar
15 books149 followersShweta Ganesh Kumar is a writer, blogger and creator of the modern Indian parenting blog ‘The Times Of Amma’,and 'Inkspire' - the digital platform for aspiring Indian writers. She was awarded the prestigious UN Laadli Media Award for Gender Sensitivity in the Blog – Web Category for 2017 for my article, "WhyThe Phrase "Boys Will Be Boys" Is Damaging Our Sons" published in Women's Web.
She was featured on the BBC World Service's award-winning show 'Conversations' to talk about online parenting communities and Indian Mom Blogging. Shweta has written multiple fiction books for adults, working with publishing houses like Srishti Books and Good Times Books.
Her children’s book ‘The Tiffin Gang’ for Pratham Books was featured in the New York Public Library's World Literature Festival in April 2021. Shweta's latest book for Pratham Books 'At Home', focused on children living through the pandemic and was featured in Dr. Bhau Daji Lad museum's first online session for children at home.
She is based in New York City where she lives with her husband, children and dog.
She was featured on the BBC World Service's award-winning show 'Conversations' to talk about online parenting communities and Indian Mom Blogging. Shweta has written multiple fiction books for adults, working with publishing houses like Srishti Books and Good Times Books.
Her children’s book ‘The Tiffin Gang’ for Pratham Books was featured in the New York Public Library's World Literature Festival in April 2021. Shweta's latest book for Pratham Books 'At Home', focused on children living through the pandemic and was featured in Dr. Bhau Daji Lad museum's first online session for children at home.
She is based in New York City where she lives with her husband, children and dog.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
February 14, 2026
"Suggest books that I can gift a 7/8/9 year old who loves history."
"My kid is loves reading, and I want to get him/ her interested in non fiction."
Questions like these keep popping up in many of the groups I am in, and now I have yet another book to recommend. In "Name, Place, Magic!", the author gives the story of how each of the states (and Union Territories) of India got their name. Most of these stories are mythological, some are historical, and all are absolutely fascinating. It is interesting to see how similar origin stories show up in different parts of the country, and of how almost every state has stories that put it at the centre of action. The stories are told in accessible language, and each story is followed by a fact sheet which lists salient features of the state (including how the capital got its name). To most of us, many states are merely names to be memoriesed in geography class- knowing a bit about them humanises the state, and hopefully fosters a greater appreciation of the diversity of the nation.
I received a review copy of the book from the publisher. Thank you.
"My kid is loves reading, and I want to get him/ her interested in non fiction."
Questions like these keep popping up in many of the groups I am in, and now I have yet another book to recommend. In "Name, Place, Magic!", the author gives the story of how each of the states (and Union Territories) of India got their name. Most of these stories are mythological, some are historical, and all are absolutely fascinating. It is interesting to see how similar origin stories show up in different parts of the country, and of how almost every state has stories that put it at the centre of action. The stories are told in accessible language, and each story is followed by a fact sheet which lists salient features of the state (including how the capital got its name). To most of us, many states are merely names to be memoriesed in geography class- knowing a bit about them humanises the state, and hopefully fosters a greater appreciation of the diversity of the nation.
I received a review copy of the book from the publisher. Thank you.
Displaying 1 of 1 review