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India Treasures : An Epic Novel of Rajasthan and Northern India through the Ages
India Treasures is a monumental work of fiction covering the sweep of Indian history. A search through palaces and a maze-like fortress for a Maharaja's legendary hidden treasure weaves together stories of danger and romance, and of spiritual and artistic triumphs. The book portrays key historical persons and events in the nation's religious, cultural, and political evolution.
Readers will experience meeting the Buddha; being lost in the Great Indian Desert with a caravan merchant; riding an elephant into battle with the famous Emperor Ashoka; painting a celebrated mural masterpiece with a medieval artist; joining a lovely princess as she defies her powerful father for the enemy king whom she loves; transcending life's trials as a disciple of a great Sufi saint; sharing the perils of a noble Muslim family targeted by a hostile Sultan; and matching wits with the mighty Mughal Emperor Akbar.
The novellas are linked by the treasure hunt through the immense fortress of Mangarh by government tax raiders during Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's suspension of civil liberties in the mid-1970s. Vijay Singh, the capable and conscientious leader of the searchers, battles a corrupt political boss who imprisons the Maharaja of Mangarh and preys on the lovely princess Kaushalya. Vijay fears that in Mangarh his secret may be exposed: he claims to be of the high Rajput caste, but in fact he is an Untouchable from a nearby village.
Included in the book are a Reading Group Discussion Guide and an extensive Glossary.
The sequel, India Fortunes, which depicts major historical characters and events from the 1600's through the 20th century, is scheduled for publication in the fall of 2002.
640 pages, Paperback
First published June 15, 2001
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121 people want to read
About the author
Gary Worthington
8 books5 followersI've long been an enthusiastic reader of historical novels, as well as other fiction. I enjoy discussing books with other readers and hearing about new ones to read.
My own epic historical novels are unique in depicting major events and figures in India’s history, religions, and culture, from ancient times through the 20th century. My books include:
India Treasures (also published in South Asia by Penguin India as The Mangarh Chronicles);
The sequel, India Fortunes; and
Elephant Driver, a young adult tale of adventure and romance in ancient India (E-book only)
I've traveled widely on the Indian subcontinent and in many other countries of Asia, as well as in Europe and South America. My articles have appeared in Traveler’s India magazine, on the Writing Historical Novels web site, and elsewhere. I was an invited panelist at the South Asia Literary Festival in Washington, D.C.
In my legal career, I've been a lawyer in private practice, for the Washington State House of Representatives, as an officer in the U.S. Navy, and more recently helping develop the unique Cama Beach State Park on a historic waterfront resort site formerly operated by my wife Sandra’s family on Camano Island, Washington.
My wide range of interests include personal spiritual growth, graphic arts, the night sky and the larger universe; and issues such as international economic justice, environmental preservation, and nuclear disarmament. I designed the home we live in, on a forested site near Olympia, Washington.
We're currently involved in planning and developing a nature preserve on a forested site by our home.
We also help fund primary schools and a hospital in India's Thar desert.
My own epic historical novels are unique in depicting major events and figures in India’s history, religions, and culture, from ancient times through the 20th century. My books include:
India Treasures (also published in South Asia by Penguin India as The Mangarh Chronicles);
The sequel, India Fortunes; and
Elephant Driver, a young adult tale of adventure and romance in ancient India (E-book only)
I've traveled widely on the Indian subcontinent and in many other countries of Asia, as well as in Europe and South America. My articles have appeared in Traveler’s India magazine, on the Writing Historical Novels web site, and elsewhere. I was an invited panelist at the South Asia Literary Festival in Washington, D.C.
In my legal career, I've been a lawyer in private practice, for the Washington State House of Representatives, as an officer in the U.S. Navy, and more recently helping develop the unique Cama Beach State Park on a historic waterfront resort site formerly operated by my wife Sandra’s family on Camano Island, Washington.
My wide range of interests include personal spiritual growth, graphic arts, the night sky and the larger universe; and issues such as international economic justice, environmental preservation, and nuclear disarmament. I designed the home we live in, on a forested site near Olympia, Washington.
We're currently involved in planning and developing a nature preserve on a forested site by our home.
We also help fund primary schools and a hospital in India's Thar desert.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 20, 2015
This book took me a week to complete, and now I desperately want to get my hands on its sequel, India Fortunes.
1975 India felt more like 1930s England. Where ever Vijay took us to explore in 1975, we then had a parallel story going back to that place's prime and the cause of its fall. I loved that about India Treasures, getting to see India as is was and as it is made everything pop out of the book.
The stories are touching, particularly The Elephant Driver, a tale of a little village boy who by one act rose far higher than he could ever have imagined.
Then there was the Mural Artist, who painted The Dying Princess, that was unforgettable.
Or what about the two rival brothers, whose choices changed an empire.
Simply put, I loved it, I recommend it, I would reread it and I look forward to the continuation.
PG Mention of attempted rape, marital relations, Karma Sutra and a fair bit of physique admiring. It was never explicit. (the author also mentions how some ladies didn't wear tops, so you might want white-out)
One thing I hated was elephants going to war. They make lasting friendships, they do little things like pick up your purse if you drop it and the stick to you when you need them. War does horrible things to these gentle giants, and I don't think anyone could eat while reading about it. Other than that it wasn't disturbing.
Swearing was fairly mild. (Ds, Hs, Ss etc.)
1975 India felt more like 1930s England. Where ever Vijay took us to explore in 1975, we then had a parallel story going back to that place's prime and the cause of its fall. I loved that about India Treasures, getting to see India as is was and as it is made everything pop out of the book.
The stories are touching, particularly The Elephant Driver, a tale of a little village boy who by one act rose far higher than he could ever have imagined.
Then there was the Mural Artist, who painted The Dying Princess, that was unforgettable.
Or what about the two rival brothers, whose choices changed an empire.
Simply put, I loved it, I recommend it, I would reread it and I look forward to the continuation.
PG Mention of attempted rape, marital relations, Karma Sutra and a fair bit of physique admiring. It was never explicit. (the author also mentions how some ladies didn't wear tops, so you might want white-out)
One thing I hated was elephants going to war. They make lasting friendships, they do little things like pick up your purse if you drop it and the stick to you when you need them. War does horrible things to these gentle giants, and I don't think anyone could eat while reading about it. Other than that it wasn't disturbing.
Swearing was fairly mild. (Ds, Hs, Ss etc.)
November 3, 2013
This is a book to savor. Just take your time and enjoy it. There's a variety of stories throughout and a modern day (1975) story that connects them all.
The one thing I found trying was the long Indian names that I wasn't sure how to pronounce. As soon as I got used to one set of characters and thought i had them straight in my head, the cast changed. So you really need some quiet time with this or you'll get frustrated.
(However dont let the character list put you off, there's a character glossary at the back which is very helpful)
It really is SO worth the read!!! 5 stars easy.
CONTENT :
SEX : None (there is mention of marital relations, an avoided rape, mention of the Karma Sutra, and admiration of physique scattered throughout. But nothing explicit.)
It also bears mentioning (or should i say "bares mentioning "lol) that in some of the historical stories the women dont wear blouses. I think the author had fun with that. I actually whited out a few lines where I thought his descriptions coarse. But most people wouldn't have a problem with it.
VIOLENCE : minimal . There is some warfare but nothing too descriptive. The most upsetting scene to me involved elephants getting hurt in battle.
PROFANITY : minimal. I used a bit of white out on a few words but none were F bombs.
MY RATING : PG
The one thing I found trying was the long Indian names that I wasn't sure how to pronounce. As soon as I got used to one set of characters and thought i had them straight in my head, the cast changed. So you really need some quiet time with this or you'll get frustrated.
(However dont let the character list put you off, there's a character glossary at the back which is very helpful)
It really is SO worth the read!!! 5 stars easy.
CONTENT :
SEX : None (there is mention of marital relations, an avoided rape, mention of the Karma Sutra, and admiration of physique scattered throughout. But nothing explicit.)
It also bears mentioning (or should i say "bares mentioning "lol) that in some of the historical stories the women dont wear blouses. I think the author had fun with that. I actually whited out a few lines where I thought his descriptions coarse. But most people wouldn't have a problem with it.
VIOLENCE : minimal . There is some warfare but nothing too descriptive. The most upsetting scene to me involved elephants getting hurt in battle.
PROFANITY : minimal. I used a bit of white out on a few words but none were F bombs.
MY RATING : PG
October 23, 2011
I could not rush through this epic novel, written by Gary Worthington, for each story within a story gave me pause for reflection. The main story tells about arrests of rajas and important individuals during the Indian "Emergency." One of the arrests of a raja occurs as "tax raiders" come to his palace, seeking to find a hidden massive treasure which belonged to the raja's ancestors. At each ancient site where the raiders "inspect" for treasure, an ancient Indian story is revealed as a story within the main story. One story reveals the reason why the rich and fertile Indus Civilization came to an end. Another story reveals the struggle of two rich merchant's sons, to become part of their father's mission to continue to accumulate wealth, or follow Buddha to become spiritual leaders. Another story reveals the life of a young boy from a poor village who becomes an elephant driver, only to be "used" as a spy for King Ashoka himself to reveal the plans of his enemies and find out what the populace is really thinking about his edicts. Each story unfolds the ancient history of India, the first taking place in 1503 BCE, the alternating main story taking place in 1975. Having been to many of the ancient forts in India, I could easily visualize the brilliant descriptions of the palaces in each story. I found the stories themselves riveting, and I also learned about the rich beliefs of both the Hindus and the Muslims in ancient times. I can't wait to read the sequel, India Fortunes!
August 13, 2012
Creative story involving Indian history told through a modern day treasure hunt" - a little too long buy very interesting
July 9, 2015
Rife with spelling and grammatical errors! Unsatisfying ending. The historical myths/legends were interesting but the main plot line was rather bland.
March 8, 2016
Interesting fictional history of india.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews