Book Info
Name of Book : The Legend of Bahirji Naik : Raiders of Surat ( Book I)
Author : Shreyas Bhave
Publisher : One Point Six Technologies Pvt. Ltd.
Publication Date : 22 April 2022
No. of Pages : 346
Format : Paperback
Why did I choose the book ?
The Legend of Bahirji Naik by Shreyas Bhave was offered in exchange of an honest review. And, today is my turn to post for the same.
Where to get the book ?
The Legend of Bahirji Naik by Shreyas Bhave is available on Amazon :
Author Introduction
SHREYAS BHAVE, an Electrical Engineer from VNIT Nagpur, is one of India’s youngest experts on railway electrification. He also administers an entrepreneurial YouTube channel at ‘Our First Million’. Possessed of an abiding love for history, Shreyas was first inspired to take on the challenge of writing a fictionalized account based on historical record supplemented by the rich folklore that surrounded the legendary figure of Asoka. The trilogy was released to widespread acclaim and has been acquired for screen. His book Prisoner Of Yakutsk, a modern day thriller based on the mystery surrounding the disappearance of Netaji Subhash Bose, was published in 2019. The present book is the first in the trilogy based on the thrilling adventures of Chhatrapati Shivaji’s intelligence duo, Bahirji-Naik (see Author’s Note).
Apart from writing, Shreyas enjoys song-writing, composing music, sketching and watercolour painting. He plays the guitar and enjoys hiking up to the many hill forts of Maharashtra, replete with their hoary history and ghosts from the past. Other books by Shreyas Bhave Prince Of Patliputra, Storm From Taxila Nemesis Of Kalinga & Prisoner Of Yakutsk.
Blurb
Maratha Swarajya, 1663: The dream of a kingdom of the people envisioned by Raje Shivaji, is crumbling. There are enemies to the North, and to the South. The constant attacks have ravaged the Swarajya’s armies and depleted its treasury. The Mughal Subhedar Shaistekhan, sits encamped with his occupying army in the Maratha’s ancestral city – Pune. All hope seems lost.
Merely driving Shaistekhan out of Pune is not going to be enough. To survive, Raje must replenish the Swarajya’s treasuries and rebuild its armies. A hundred kos to the North lies the city of Surat, a hell-hole of corruption and guile, but rich with gold. An attack on Surat would solve all Raje’s problems. But Surat lies deep in Mughal territory, defended by Mughal Subhedar Inayat Khan, with a garrison of five thousand trained troops.
The Swarajya’s hope of survival now depends on a seemingly impossible mission. The brunt will be borne by the Guptachar corps, led by Bahirji-Naik, and their new apprentice, Shashidhwaj, a mere boy of sixteen, using everything they know, to achieve fatteh. Can the Guptachars lead Raje’s army to Surat, negotiating such a vast stretche of hostile Mughal territory? Can they devise a way to beat the defenders of the city? Above all, can the Maratha Swarajya prevail? Or will it be destroyed like the hundreds of others who dared stand against the mighty Mughal Empire?
My Opinion
The Legend of Bahirji Naik by Shreyas Bhave transcends us to the lands of Surat in historical India when East India Company has just entered our country. While reading the book, you can witness the clash of Mughals, English, Dutch and Indians. Bahirji Naik, a spy has been portrayed well, a man of means and strength. Each character has its own path to follow which shapes each chapter very well. The author's eccentric writing style invokes interest and the plot smoothly flows towards the climax. A glossary of some basic terms have been added for easy understanding for the readers.
The plot is supported with all the political dramas like espionage, strategies and plans making it unputdownable. Supported with map, the author has given some elaborate details about then India. The book is a must read for historical fiction lovers. Definitely, the book deserves 5 stars.
Ratings
- Recommendation ---------------- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Cover ------------------------------ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Writing Style --------------------- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Plot -------------------------------- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Climax ---------------------------- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Characters ------------------------ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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