The Trial of the Maharaja is a fascinating book about a turbulent time in Indian history when the Britishers won the Battle of Plassey and then the Battle of Buxar and over time, started becoming the administrators and the rulers from just being traders.
But the book is not just about the battles of the kings.
At its deepest core, the thrill in the story comes from a stirring tale of human conflict. Maharaja NandaKumar, the key character in the story waged a brave and lonely fight for justice against one of the most powerful Britishers, Warren Hastings. Layer by layer, the book peels away the attacks and the counterattacks between the two men locked in an escalating battle of wits. And it poignantly describes the fatal price paid by one of them and the actions that followed.
Characterization is a key strength the book has. Not just the two main characters who have been beautifully etched out, the story also contains an interesting set of other characters. Some of these include - an irrepressible journalist, a dancing queen, an unknown pen spewing venom, unreliable witnesses and more. And it features thrilling incidents from an early morning duel to a breakneck trial. The characters and their often conflicting and hidden motivations add life to the story.
And yes, all of this happens against a fascinating historical backdrop that the author crafts superbly. The story of the two battles that changed the course of history. A terrible famine that laid out the rot in administration. The changing face of the Britishers that many were too late to notice. And behind all of this, the invisible money games behind the game of thrones. It also delves into how the actions of the characters in the book influenced not just events locally, but also had ripple effects across the ocean, in the UK as well.
While the story is set in the 1700s, the theme discussed in the story through the historic Supreme Court trial and the two far-reaching impeachments is still relevant to today’s times. The question the author raises is around how far those in power abuse justice can and can they face the consequences of their actions. It is a question that we are indeed still searching the answer for and that is what makes the book such a refreshingly engaging read.
Read it you love page-turners. Read it you love history. The book has been published by Srishti Publishers and represented by The BookBakers and is available for purchase from Amazon and Flipkart and also in bookstores across cities.
