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10 Lessons from Hindu History in 10 Episodes: Tales of Grit, Heroism and Valour
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. "10 Lessons from Hindu History in 10 Episodes" is envisaged as a popular narrative without overlooking or taking liberties with historical accuracy.
- GenresHistoryNonfiction
127 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 15, 2020
75 people are currently reading
287 people want to read
About the author
Sandeep Balakrishna
20 books82 followersSandeep Balakrishna is a veteran writer, author, editor, speaker and independent researcher with about 20 years of writing on Indian history, culture, literature and temples. During this period, he has authored over 900 articles, essays, critiques, academic papers and delivered lectures on numerous topics related to these themes at institutions like the Indian Council of Philosophical Research, IIM Bangalore, Sri Aurobindo Society, Shree Somanath Sanskrit University, Bangalore University and Amrita University, to name a few. He writes in both English and Kannada. His articles, columns and research papers have appeared in prestigious journals, newspapers and magazines in both print and digital format. Sandeep is the author of the bestselling books Tipu Sultan: The Tyrant of Mysore, which has been widely referenced and quoted in mainstream publications and television programmes, and Madurai Sultanate: A Concise History. He is also the author of the critically acclaimed work, 70 Years of Secularism: Unpopular Essays on the Unofficial Political Religion of India. He has also translated the legendary Kannada novelist Dr S.L. Bhyrappa’s critically acclaimed work Aavarana into English, as Aavarana: The Veil, which is now in its twelfth reprint. Sandeep is the founder and editor of The Dharma Dispatch, an online journal dedicated to Indian civilisation, culture and history, and a contributing editor at Prekshaa Journal.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
October 16, 2020
A must read small book by Sandeep Balakrishna. This work is a collection of ten episodes and stories from the nearly inexhaustible mine called the history of India. Writer is well known for showing unknown history and writing the real truth. I hope he write more books, maybe bigger one perhaps. These stories also tell us why a thorough and truthful study and retelling of this history is needed.
September 26, 2021
What a short yet powerful book this turned out to be! I always admired Sandeep Balakrishna for his intelligence and the way he analyses various aspects of history and present happenings. I have read a few of his articles but this compilation of his writings into a small work exerted its best influence upon me.
As the title itself states the author gives ten gems of his writings ranging from the onset of Islamic invasion on India, the territorial losses of the north western Bharatavarsha, the sad plight of Kabul whose experience of peace was snatched centuries ago still being rained by inhumane horrors, the author talks of the unknown Kings and their united attempt against the invaders, their losses and gains and the level of their dedication to motherland and their immense Kshatra dharma that sets them uniquely and greatly apart and higher from the enemies and how the very elements the Kshatriyas held at high were used as the weakness by the ruthless enemies who had no sort of rules and regulations when it comes about wars.
The author quotes K.M.Munshi, R.C.Majumdar and others calling the attention towards the slow disappearance of Aryavarta Consciousness. He observes how the expectation of the birth of Chakravartin to set the triumph of Dharma and the eventual victory of the Bharatavarshis against all previous invaders might have stunted this Kshatra guna amongst us. It's needless to say about the other ways how our Kshatra guna was suppressed some leaders in the past.
In this short compilation Sandeep takes the reader en route to the queries on the civilizational, philosophical and dharmic essense of the Sanatana Dharma. His writings vary from the collective consciousness, to the resistance for centuries, the loss of temples under the raging hatred against the infidels and their idols, series of genocides against Sanatanis, the silent justifications of the crimes by what he called Father-Son-Unholy ghost trio. The author alarms about the very least existence of Hindu-Sikh-Buddhist essence in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. He urges the readers not to forget the history of these places. He also seeks to tell the truth about the so called betrayer Jaichand, but was he really a backstabber as we are made to believe? The very fact that we have reduced someone as gallant and dedicated to Dharma like Jayachandra to a mere betrayer itself is suffice enough to show how the present Hindu society regards their forgotten glory and less talked kings. The book also talks about Sri Krishnadevaraya and Veera Madakari Nayaka, the chieftain of Chitradurga who shook the Hyder Ali's regime sucking Nijagal dry through plunder and heavy taxation. It was quite elating to read two of my most favourite heroes. One should definitely read his last two chapters for sure where the author extraordinarily briefs the reader about the knowledge of History and Geography.
This is a book which helps one understand various things, this short work makes the reader question and look at the history quite differently.
I highly recommend this work to anyone who is interested in the exploration of actual history that happened. It's a must read for everyone!
As the title itself states the author gives ten gems of his writings ranging from the onset of Islamic invasion on India, the territorial losses of the north western Bharatavarsha, the sad plight of Kabul whose experience of peace was snatched centuries ago still being rained by inhumane horrors, the author talks of the unknown Kings and their united attempt against the invaders, their losses and gains and the level of their dedication to motherland and their immense Kshatra dharma that sets them uniquely and greatly apart and higher from the enemies and how the very elements the Kshatriyas held at high were used as the weakness by the ruthless enemies who had no sort of rules and regulations when it comes about wars.
The author quotes K.M.Munshi, R.C.Majumdar and others calling the attention towards the slow disappearance of Aryavarta Consciousness. He observes how the expectation of the birth of Chakravartin to set the triumph of Dharma and the eventual victory of the Bharatavarshis against all previous invaders might have stunted this Kshatra guna amongst us. It's needless to say about the other ways how our Kshatra guna was suppressed some leaders in the past.
In this short compilation Sandeep takes the reader en route to the queries on the civilizational, philosophical and dharmic essense of the Sanatana Dharma. His writings vary from the collective consciousness, to the resistance for centuries, the loss of temples under the raging hatred against the infidels and their idols, series of genocides against Sanatanis, the silent justifications of the crimes by what he called Father-Son-Unholy ghost trio. The author alarms about the very least existence of Hindu-Sikh-Buddhist essence in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. He urges the readers not to forget the history of these places. He also seeks to tell the truth about the so called betrayer Jaichand, but was he really a backstabber as we are made to believe? The very fact that we have reduced someone as gallant and dedicated to Dharma like Jayachandra to a mere betrayer itself is suffice enough to show how the present Hindu society regards their forgotten glory and less talked kings. The book also talks about Sri Krishnadevaraya and Veera Madakari Nayaka, the chieftain of Chitradurga who shook the Hyder Ali's regime sucking Nijagal dry through plunder and heavy taxation. It was quite elating to read two of my most favourite heroes. One should definitely read his last two chapters for sure where the author extraordinarily briefs the reader about the knowledge of History and Geography.
This is a book which helps one understand various things, this short work makes the reader question and look at the history quite differently.
I highly recommend this work to anyone who is interested in the exploration of actual history that happened. It's a must read for everyone!
September 9, 2021
An excellent read. This is my second book by Sandeep Balakrishna as an author, I have also read his translation of SLB's masterpiece Aavaran. This is a short book of ten selected events/ stories from the vast corpus that is Indian History and shed light on it. If you have read the author's 70 years of Secularism, you must be familiar with his take no prisoners attitude in his quest to shake the Hindus out of their cultural and historical amnesia. And he uses the same writing style here with the stories that span centuries. Each story is seemingly an important point in our history and should be understood in their proper context.
I believe this is a perfect way to introduce non-history readers or amateurs to Indian History. We need more such short books to get our young generation interested in our history, we need more authors like Sandeep Balakrishna who doesn't shy away from using evocative or hard-hitting words as the case demanded. And we definitely need more readers and friends like Ashish Iyer who not only read, review and recommend a good book but also makes sure that we buy, read and review them too.
I believe this is a perfect way to introduce non-history readers or amateurs to Indian History. We need more such short books to get our young generation interested in our history, we need more authors like Sandeep Balakrishna who doesn't shy away from using evocative or hard-hitting words as the case demanded. And we definitely need more readers and friends like Ashish Iyer who not only read, review and recommend a good book but also makes sure that we buy, read and review them too.
October 11, 2020
Thanks to my friend Mr.Ashish Iyer for recommendation of the book. This is the second book from Mr.Balakrishna, a spectacular writer. He gives life to all those forgotten heroes of Bharatvarsha who fought tooth and nail with barbaric Muslim invaders. Unfortunately, in any of Indian history books, they are deliberately buried under greatness of mughal history.
Author points out a very important issue about annihilation of Hindu memory by losing Hindu land one by one . Loss of Gandhar (Afghanistan), Mulasthana (Multan, Pakistan) and Bangladesh did immense harm to Hindu intellectualism.
Author said "unless we learn and remember this forgotten Hindu history of Pakistan, our kids, here in India, sometimes in the future, will have textbooks written like this - Two atoms of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen come together, and by the grace of allah, water is formed."
Author points out a very important issue about annihilation of Hindu memory by losing Hindu land one by one . Loss of Gandhar (Afghanistan), Mulasthana (Multan, Pakistan) and Bangladesh did immense harm to Hindu intellectualism.
Author said "unless we learn and remember this forgotten Hindu history of Pakistan, our kids, here in India, sometimes in the future, will have textbooks written like this - Two atoms of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen come together, and by the grace of allah, water is formed."
September 24, 2020
A boom of significant importance, it is imperative to bust the false narritives that our eminent Marxist distortions have led us to belive.
This book is blunt & unforgiving towards the perpetrators of indian history who in my opinion are no better than traitor.
As the name suugests In here you find several account of sheer grit, heroism & valour of great indian rulers, who's reputation of being undefeated at war was enough to ward of any islamic invasion into india.
This was also the reason for the difference of 300yr between the 1st &the 2nd islamic invasions into india. But ofcourse this fact was conveniently hidden.
This books goes on to site several historians from both sides of the battlefield ie both Islamic and eminent Indian historians like R.C Majumdar, Sitaram Goyal, giving you a true account of what actually conspired in the chapter of historical events of significance mentioned in this book.
All in all, this is a book that is short easy read, but only for those who wishes to flip the coin, & look at the unpleasant facts of history.
This book is blunt & unforgiving towards the perpetrators of indian history who in my opinion are no better than traitor.
As the name suugests In here you find several account of sheer grit, heroism & valour of great indian rulers, who's reputation of being undefeated at war was enough to ward of any islamic invasion into india.
This was also the reason for the difference of 300yr between the 1st &the 2nd islamic invasions into india. But ofcourse this fact was conveniently hidden.
This books goes on to site several historians from both sides of the battlefield ie both Islamic and eminent Indian historians like R.C Majumdar, Sitaram Goyal, giving you a true account of what actually conspired in the chapter of historical events of significance mentioned in this book.
All in all, this is a book that is short easy read, but only for those who wishes to flip the coin, & look at the unpleasant facts of history.
December 13, 2020
The author provides anecdotes of people forgotten, wars won but whose battles were lost. It was difficult to read as it created an emotional stir within.
As the Author puts it multiple times, this is an alternate to the Romila Thaper-Irfan Habib history that we get to read in our textbooks and mainstream media.
As the Author puts it multiple times, this is an alternate to the Romila Thaper-Irfan Habib history that we get to read in our textbooks and mainstream media.
September 18, 2020
Brilliant as always. Go for it.
September 22, 2020
Another amazing book. Please published more books, we need more books. Thank you for choosing not so mainstream topics. It give us so many information.
September 24, 2020
Sandeep as always at his best..
December 19, 2022
The series of essays by Sandeep Balakrishna turned into a book, it fairly represents its title. There are 10 brief timelines starting as early as 8th century till as late as partition and Kashmiri Hindu genocide. SB doesn't dwell too much into details of these events and refers the readers to respective source to dive deeper. It did kindle my interest in Indian history, as promised in the preface.
This seems like a really good introductory book to get started with undistorted history. Especially because it's so so difficult to unlearn the comfortable, filtered, and "acceptable" segments of history we were taught to gulp down for exams. We think history is of least concern or are worried about coming across unending, sickening accounts at sickening regularity, for centuries.
At least that's the mindset I had. For some reason I kept ignoring these books. Why learn these gut wrenching history? Aren't they a thing of the past? Can't we just move on? And he mentions this mindsets too. As if someone showed mirror to me.
We have to learn our history. We have to know the intricate details of what exactly and why it happened. The stories that can connect us to our motherland better, because we have to know exactly how much rivers of blood have flowed on this land to save it from the fanatics of "Only True Faith". And that's how we can preserve our civilizational memory.
This seems like a really good introductory book to get started with undistorted history. Especially because it's so so difficult to unlearn the comfortable, filtered, and "acceptable" segments of history we were taught to gulp down for exams. We think history is of least concern or are worried about coming across unending, sickening accounts at sickening regularity, for centuries.
At least that's the mindset I had. For some reason I kept ignoring these books. Why learn these gut wrenching history? Aren't they a thing of the past? Can't we just move on? And he mentions this mindsets too. As if someone showed mirror to me.
We have to learn our history. We have to know the intricate details of what exactly and why it happened. The stories that can connect us to our motherland better, because we have to know exactly how much rivers of blood have flowed on this land to save it from the fanatics of "Only True Faith". And that's how we can preserve our civilizational memory.
October 28, 2020
After completing " 70 years of secularism" By Sandeep Balakrishna, There were mixed emotions filled with rage against the fanatics who drowned Bharata in a blood bath and the proudness in the Kshatriyata of our Kings who gave their lives to preserve and pass it to our generation. So I have picked this book to understand more about our Hindu kings who reserved for 3 to 5 lines of our history book under the deception of secularism and Marxist ideology.
In this book, the author tried to offer an explanation of how Bharatvarsha shifted from the golden age to the barbaric age in 10 episodes which had a significant impact on our history.
In the first episode, the author gives a glimpse of Paramara Bhoja who reigned for 55 years in Bharata Varsha with the reference of Bhoja Prabhandha. During the Bhoja era Bharata Varsa at its peak because of spiritual ethos and Kshtriyata in the blood of everyone under his administration. The author emphasizes the need for such stories to be re-told to boost the morale of our generation in the face of all Marxist history.
The second and third episode mainly focuses on Jaypaldeva who fought till the end of his reign with ideals of dharma and Kshatriyata against fanatical and brutal Ghajini with valor. The author highlights how biased and communist historians systematically downplay the valor of Hindu kings to whitewash the tyrant's crime. The third episode mainly focuses on how a loss of dharmic and Kshatriya value led to the demise of the Golden age of Bharata Varsha which stood against all odds for centuries.
The fourth, fifth, and sixth episodes focus on the extended tyranny of aliens. the author gives the horrific history behind the construction of Qutab minha which was built using the stones of destroyed 24 Hindu and Jain temples. The fifth and sixth episode revolves around Krishna deva Raya and Talikote war which led to the demise of greatest Hindu dynasty and final frontier of Hindu kingdom caused by the foolishness of Raja Rama Raya.
The remaining episodes do talk about Tajmahal, the Battle of Nijagal, the Genocide of Katha, Hindhu's history of Pakistan with detailed explanation. But there are some episodes are the reputation of the content 70 years of secularism which I find boring.
Overall it mirrors the heroism, grit, and valor of our ancestors against the barbarians, Marxist, British, and brain dead liberals.
I love his writing style because sometimes it feels like war cries against the aliens of fanatics land.
In this book, the author tried to offer an explanation of how Bharatvarsha shifted from the golden age to the barbaric age in 10 episodes which had a significant impact on our history.
In the first episode, the author gives a glimpse of Paramara Bhoja who reigned for 55 years in Bharata Varsha with the reference of Bhoja Prabhandha. During the Bhoja era Bharata Varsa at its peak because of spiritual ethos and Kshtriyata in the blood of everyone under his administration. The author emphasizes the need for such stories to be re-told to boost the morale of our generation in the face of all Marxist history.
The second and third episode mainly focuses on Jaypaldeva who fought till the end of his reign with ideals of dharma and Kshatriyata against fanatical and brutal Ghajini with valor. The author highlights how biased and communist historians systematically downplay the valor of Hindu kings to whitewash the tyrant's crime. The third episode mainly focuses on how a loss of dharmic and Kshatriya value led to the demise of the Golden age of Bharata Varsha which stood against all odds for centuries.
The fourth, fifth, and sixth episodes focus on the extended tyranny of aliens. the author gives the horrific history behind the construction of Qutab minha which was built using the stones of destroyed 24 Hindu and Jain temples. The fifth and sixth episode revolves around Krishna deva Raya and Talikote war which led to the demise of greatest Hindu dynasty and final frontier of Hindu kingdom caused by the foolishness of Raja Rama Raya.
The remaining episodes do talk about Tajmahal, the Battle of Nijagal, the Genocide of Katha, Hindhu's history of Pakistan with detailed explanation. But there are some episodes are the reputation of the content 70 years of secularism which I find boring.
Overall it mirrors the heroism, grit, and valor of our ancestors against the barbarians, Marxist, British, and brain dead liberals.
I love his writing style because sometimes it feels like war cries against the aliens of fanatics land.
October 28, 2020
Right from the first chapter about Paramara Bhoj, this book became really engrossing for me.
As the title of the book goes, it indeed was a collection of lessons for Hindus whose life has been taken over by the distorted narratives and has filled them with apathy towards the history and geography of Bharatvarsha. Few excerpts from the last couple of chapters, which talk about the more recent events, were so unbelievable that I had to read them twice to comprehend if I'm reading them right.
It's a quick read and going to teach you a lot.
Recommended!!
As the title of the book goes, it indeed was a collection of lessons for Hindus whose life has been taken over by the distorted narratives and has filled them with apathy towards the history and geography of Bharatvarsha. Few excerpts from the last couple of chapters, which talk about the more recent events, were so unbelievable that I had to read them twice to comprehend if I'm reading them right.
It's a quick read and going to teach you a lot.
Recommended!!
March 14, 2022
This wonderful book gives the glimpse of the valour of our Ancestral kshatra that protected this bharatvarsha for over a millenium from the clutches of turushkas that plagued to spread Islam. Stories that School books have ignored and Marxist distorians have buried under their hatred for Sanatana Dharma.
A must read..
Subbu Publications are doing a tremendous job in publishing this book and came to know that they are donating this book to libraries of North Karnataka donated by a anonymous donar..
A must read..
Subbu Publications are doing a tremendous job in publishing this book and came to know that they are donating this book to libraries of North Karnataka donated by a anonymous donar..
January 21, 2021
A well summarised work which is nothing but outstanding, scholarly informative as well as heart wrenching, which every Hindu must read and if possible further research so that they have the naked facts to pass on to future generations, if they at all are interested to see their family line following Sanatan Dharma.
In this context, I would like to present before all the following instance from the book :-
As observed by Sandeep Balakrishna in his lucidly and crisply researched book ‘10 Lessons from Hindu History in 10 Episodes Tales of Grit, Heroism and Valour’, Chapter 3, Page No.47, the following principles and rules were/are generally dear to Hindu forces while they wage war with the enemy :-
“As history shows, these Hindu kings went to war armed with the following sacrosanct weapons:
1.No matter how grave the enemy’s provocation, the temple, the Murti, the Shrine, the cow, and the Brahmana were not to be touched.
2.War was a privilege accorded only to the Kshatriyas (or those who enrolled for a life of military honour) and harming civilian population was a serious lapse of Kshatriya Dharma. However, there is plenty of evidence that shows that all classes of the Hindu society participated in the repeated wars to save their Dharma.
3.The chastity of women, which was held in divine reverence by the Kshatriyas, was inviolable.”
Probably, the Hindu forces failed to learn and realise that the above laws of War were only applicable against the enemy who has been also trained in the same kind of warfare like them and taught the same principles of Dharma as they are, and not on the savage, barbaric beasts following an uncivilised Desert Cult.
The popular perception ingrained in Hindu minds, even today, that all religions are same and all teach the same principles of Humanity, is the primary culprit behind keeping the Hindus ignorant, docile, subversive and vulnerable to annihilation-both from military and cultural point of view. It’s only matter of time, unless we stop self loathing and re-learn what we have lost, genuinely from all respects.
Let us learn this profoundly and impart this teaching to those shameless Marxist distorians to not dare compare us with those Desert Cult followers, for :
“We are not like them, we are different.
We were different and we will remain different, thanks to Sanatan Dharma.”
In this context, I would like to present before all the following instance from the book :-
As observed by Sandeep Balakrishna in his lucidly and crisply researched book ‘10 Lessons from Hindu History in 10 Episodes Tales of Grit, Heroism and Valour’, Chapter 3, Page No.47, the following principles and rules were/are generally dear to Hindu forces while they wage war with the enemy :-
“As history shows, these Hindu kings went to war armed with the following sacrosanct weapons:
1.No matter how grave the enemy’s provocation, the temple, the Murti, the Shrine, the cow, and the Brahmana were not to be touched.
2.War was a privilege accorded only to the Kshatriyas (or those who enrolled for a life of military honour) and harming civilian population was a serious lapse of Kshatriya Dharma. However, there is plenty of evidence that shows that all classes of the Hindu society participated in the repeated wars to save their Dharma.
3.The chastity of women, which was held in divine reverence by the Kshatriyas, was inviolable.”
Probably, the Hindu forces failed to learn and realise that the above laws of War were only applicable against the enemy who has been also trained in the same kind of warfare like them and taught the same principles of Dharma as they are, and not on the savage, barbaric beasts following an uncivilised Desert Cult.
The popular perception ingrained in Hindu minds, even today, that all religions are same and all teach the same principles of Humanity, is the primary culprit behind keeping the Hindus ignorant, docile, subversive and vulnerable to annihilation-both from military and cultural point of view. It’s only matter of time, unless we stop self loathing and re-learn what we have lost, genuinely from all respects.
Let us learn this profoundly and impart this teaching to those shameless Marxist distorians to not dare compare us with those Desert Cult followers, for :
“We are not like them, we are different.
We were different and we will remain different, thanks to Sanatan Dharma.”
November 19, 2020
There is a big hole in Indian history adulterated by Marxist historians. Habib's and Thapar's have dedicated their whole lives to create more soy faces out of Indian Hindus.
Thanks to - Ashish Iyer - for recommending this book
Though we have few authentic thinkers who can write and contemplate about real history and morphology of the Indian subcontinent, it's high time now to understand their POV and make amendments in the Ideology of the majority populous in India.
Thanks to - Ashish Iyer - for recommending this book
Though we have few authentic thinkers who can write and contemplate about real history and morphology of the Indian subcontinent, it's high time now to understand their POV and make amendments in the Ideology of the majority populous in India.
January 17, 2021
A nice collection of essays on many forgotten heroes of Bharat. Some maps and less verbose language would have made things easier on the reader. A couple of the chapters near the end lost focus. The story of the battle of Nijagal with Chieftain Madakari Nayaka harrassing Hyder Ali was particularly intriguing.
January 10, 2021
Nice quick read on some forgotten heroes. Could have been much better with a few maps here and there.
January 10, 2021
Interesting read about the Hindu side of war history against Islamic invaders (the side that the Irfan Habib-s and Romila Thapar-s of the world have tried so hard to suppress). Was glad to see that the author highlights and cites Sita Ram Goel's and R.C. Majumdar's work extensively. Not a fan of the writing style, however.
January 10, 2021
Worth a read for history enthusiasts on some of Bharat's forgotten heroes and rulers. Hope NEP policy helps to bring exposure to this side of history.
May 20, 2021
I am not good at writing book reviews, but clearly it feels to be cheated to be kept away from such stories as a child; matters / episodes that as Indians we should know apart from the entire lineage of Mughals and the brave sacrifices of Gandhi. It is quite surprising that apart from Maharana Pratap, Shivaji, Asoka how we really don't know about the exploits of Raja Bhoja, Krisnadevaraya, Jayapaladeva. Yes, we weren't conquerors by nature but we were great defenders. Why is that kept from me? Thanks to this book, some of it does come to light. It is sad that it almost feels like alternative history
May 16, 2021
Since inception, Islam spread very fast and penetrated Asia, Africa and Europe within short span. But inspite of repeated attack, their first four Caliph could not see success of Islam in the land of Bharatvarsh during their life time. They could get success only in 712 AD. Even after that they could not succeed in next 300 hundred years and next 150 years. It proves that, we were continuously fighting to defend our land and Dharma. Sandeep Balakrishna's this book is an endeavour to bring to notice of people, the tale and valour of those who were fighting continuously to defend Dharma.
Soul evoking words of Sandeep Balakrishna and heart wrenching story, a must read. The author also wants to highlight the mistakes done by our kings due to which all suffered and the lessons we could not learn and kept repeating same mistakes.
Soul evoking words of Sandeep Balakrishna and heart wrenching story, a must read. The author also wants to highlight the mistakes done by our kings due to which all suffered and the lessons we could not learn and kept repeating same mistakes.
December 11, 2020
The book is a collection of articles (mostly published) on- The Dharma Dispatch. Needless to say the articles are written in style typical of Sandeep Balkrishnaji. The chapters, which are a commentary on 10 episodes from our history, do not necessarily put any lessons, directly in front of us but rather they are left to be deduced and extracted by us, the readers, for which the writer has done a vivid and passionate narration.
The articles have been expanded a little but it would have been all the more good had the writer cared to add some images and maps too, since these have been combined and compiled for a book.
Now off to Invaders And Infidels.
The articles have been expanded a little but it would have been all the more good had the writer cared to add some images and maps too, since these have been combined and compiled for a book.
Now off to Invaders And Infidels.
July 20, 2021
Gutsy Truth!
MUST MUST READ. This book takes us through a journey of history, otherwise which we seldom know. Kings who have fought with valor against Muslim invaders; Qutub Minar built to celebrate the butchery of temples and Hindus by [Qutub-ud-din Aibak; Lahore being the place for Sanskrit enlightenment.
10 History Stories that for sure not many would have heard of.
MUST MUST READ. This book takes us through a journey of history, otherwise which we seldom know. Kings who have fought with valor against Muslim invaders; Qutub Minar built to celebrate the butchery of temples and Hindus by [Qutub-ud-din Aibak; Lahore being the place for Sanskrit enlightenment.
10 History Stories that for sure not many would have heard of.
September 13, 2022
This is a history book that all children and elders should read compulsorily. This book chronicles the times and feats of some of the unsung heroes of our history. Starting with Paramara Bhoja raja to Maharaja Jayapaladeva, this is one eye-opening book.
Vijayanagara empire’s history is presented in brief, though I feel a separate book needs to be dedicated to this magnificent empire.
This book introduces & gives a vivid description of the valour of Jaitra Simha, a Hindu king whose victories are unknown to many.
The book chronicles the challenges faced by our earlier generations during various periods of time, yet provides an insight into unknown gems like Acharya Kavindra Saraswati Vidyanidhi. The reader is also exposed to the fact that we don’t celebrate Maharshi Panini enough for his enormous contributions to Bharatha Varsha.
Read the book to know this and many more forgotten / unknown pieces of history.
Vijayanagara empire’s history is presented in brief, though I feel a separate book needs to be dedicated to this magnificent empire.
This book introduces & gives a vivid description of the valour of Jaitra Simha, a Hindu king whose victories are unknown to many.
The book chronicles the challenges faced by our earlier generations during various periods of time, yet provides an insight into unknown gems like Acharya Kavindra Saraswati Vidyanidhi. The reader is also exposed to the fact that we don’t celebrate Maharshi Panini enough for his enormous contributions to Bharatha Varsha.
Read the book to know this and many more forgotten / unknown pieces of history.
August 4, 2025
(4.5/5) – The incident where horses were fed to crocodiles shocked me at first, but turns out it’s part of the folklore. While it's history, I couldn’t help but feel deeply for the innocent animals.
That aside, each episode was genuinely insightful and could easily be expanded into a full book of its own.The author has also provided references at the end of each chapter.
In the final episode, the author suggests exploring the deliberately forgotten or lost Hindu history in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. I’m definitely going to look for books on this.
That aside, each episode was genuinely insightful and could easily be expanded into a full book of its own.The author has also provided references at the end of each chapter.
In the final episode, the author suggests exploring the deliberately forgotten or lost Hindu history in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. I’m definitely going to look for books on this.
June 30, 2021
The only fault in this book is that it is half the size it should have been.
October 18, 2022
"The average urban, English-educated Indian Hindu since Independence is a stranger in his own land and has today brought to fruition Ananda Coomaraswamy's prophetic warning that this specimen of Hindu is "a nondescript and superficial being deprived of all roots, a sort of intellectual pariah who does not belong to the East or the West, the past or the future.""
Sandeep Balakrishna does not mince words. And that is one quality, among many, that makes his essays delightful reads. And painful, too. Because his essays talk of a past that we have been made to forget. From the glorious reign of Krishnadevaraya to the lost Hindu history of Pakistan. From the valiant Hindu kings who guarded our north western frontiers to the loss of "Aryavarta Consciousness".
And stay assured, these are not easy reads. Whether we, at these history-shaping times, can learn the lessons that Hindu history of Bharata tries to teach us is something that only future can tell.
But seventy five years after power passed on to the brown sahibs from the white ones, even though there appears to be an enhanced awareness of Bharatvarsha's millenia-old Hindu heritage, future is not exactly rosy.
These essays have appeared at different times in the Dharma Dispatch. Sandeep-ji have expanded the essays with additional information for the purpose of this book.
What I missed is a bibliography at the end of the book. Though, Sandeep-ji's "The Dharma Dispatch Reading List to Kickstart your 2019", that appeared in the portal on 9 January 2019, remains a very dependable guide to Indic reading.
Even if you have previously read the essays of this book in Sandeep-ji's portal, 10 Lessons from Hindu History is still a recommended reading.
Whether we like it or not, the battle to save this civilization has been thrust upon us. To accept the challenge or not is not among the options. The least we can do is to internalize the lessons that history is trying to teach us.
Or else ... ... ...
Sandeep Balakrishna does not mince words. And that is one quality, among many, that makes his essays delightful reads. And painful, too. Because his essays talk of a past that we have been made to forget. From the glorious reign of Krishnadevaraya to the lost Hindu history of Pakistan. From the valiant Hindu kings who guarded our north western frontiers to the loss of "Aryavarta Consciousness".
And stay assured, these are not easy reads. Whether we, at these history-shaping times, can learn the lessons that Hindu history of Bharata tries to teach us is something that only future can tell.
But seventy five years after power passed on to the brown sahibs from the white ones, even though there appears to be an enhanced awareness of Bharatvarsha's millenia-old Hindu heritage, future is not exactly rosy.
These essays have appeared at different times in the Dharma Dispatch. Sandeep-ji have expanded the essays with additional information for the purpose of this book.
What I missed is a bibliography at the end of the book. Though, Sandeep-ji's "The Dharma Dispatch Reading List to Kickstart your 2019", that appeared in the portal on 9 January 2019, remains a very dependable guide to Indic reading.
Even if you have previously read the essays of this book in Sandeep-ji's portal, 10 Lessons from Hindu History is still a recommended reading.
Whether we like it or not, the battle to save this civilization has been thrust upon us. To accept the challenge or not is not among the options. The least we can do is to internalize the lessons that history is trying to teach us.
Or else ... ... ...
May 21, 2022
This book throws light on an aspect of Indian civilization that we are not taught in history books. The 10 stories are eye opening, tragic and sad - but every one is tales of bravery. Written with reference to sources - the book is high on both facts and narrative. Every single person must read this book to know our history a little better. Many of these tales are not told and unless you dig deep - you wont even know that these stories existed. Kudos for bringing these to life again.
February 1, 2023
A good collection of lesser known takes of heroism in Bharat's history, which only Sandeep Balakrishna could have found. I highly recommend people read his book "Stories From Inscriptions: Profound Real-life Tales from Hindu Cultural History" right after this one. I am not a big fan of the author's verbose language.
December 7, 2024
Courage ! Guts and bravery at its very best. The author has called a spade a spade, the book is a no hold barred on the uncomfortable truths that have been kept hidden under an agenda.
Though most of them have been read in different books, it's a good collection to have certain crucial moments of history at one place.
Though most of them have been read in different books, it's a good collection to have certain crucial moments of history at one place.
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