1)
Somnath: This novel is based on the story of
Somnath temple of Gujrat and it's intrusion and raid by
Mahmud of Ghazni. Somnath was very famous and prosperous temple. It had enormous amount of gold, precious stones and many more valuable things. It is told that the treasure of this temple was more than combined wealth of many kings of India.
Mahmud Ghazni invaded India 18 times and somnath was his last invasion to India. Mahmud's aim for invasion to India was not only wealth or prosperity but also domination of Hindu religion and demolition of their temples and spread muslim religion. The story starts from Mahmud 's invasion to Indian border and his entire campaign to Somnath till his return to Ghazni.
The story is written so nicely and neatly and all facts and current scenario is bound in such a flow that you will enjoy the whole novels. Novel not only explain the prosperity of somnath or preparation of defense attack by Rajputs but also tells how brave Mamud Ghanzi was. There were a number of peer and fakir, who were sent to India by him years before and to make good relation with Indian kings and make his incoming without opposition free. He applied all the tricks like sympathy, religion, obligation and even force.
Writer also discussed the reason why Rajput on that time could not stop him. What were the drawbacks in their strategies against Mahmud. He explain if Rajput would had been united on that time no intruder could put step in India but their internal disputes and unnecessary extra lavish living style that they could not effort to leave, gave chance to this kind of attacks to India.
It is very good novel and should be read by every Indian and those who are interested to know about Indian historical greatness and importance of temple.
2)
Chitralekha: This novel is written by
Bhagwati Charan Verma, who is one of my favorite novelist. Chitralekha is a novel based in the times of Chandragupta Maurya. It discuss about 'sin and virtue' or I should say It define 'sin and virtue'.
The story starts with a discussion between two scholar Shwetank and Vishaldev, who were discussing and want to learn what is right and what is wrong or what is sin and virtue. Their Guru sent them to two different persons in the same city. One goes to a saint named yogi Kumargiri, who claimed that he has left all the pleasure of life and he is above all the happiness and sorrow, all the desire of life. While another scholar went to Bijgupta, who is wealthy and minister of Chandragupta Maurya and enjoying all the pleasure of life and he has lover named Chitralekha. Chitralekha is beautiful and the great dancer of her time. Kings were ready to die for her one smile.But at the same time she is true by his heart and religious.
Both stayed there for one year and after one year both defined the sin and virtue in totally different manner. Which is sin in one's eye, was virtue in another 's opinion. During the time, Shwetank finds that Kumargiri is doing so many wrong things. And Vishaldev sees that even though Bijgupta enjoys all the pleasure of life but inside by heart he is logical ,generous and true scholar. Final pupils master guru Ratnambar explained them that there is no sin and no virtue in this world. It is the circumstances which define the both. That's why based on situation, even the person who enjoys all the luxury of life can be a great sage and a big yogi may behave as an ordinary people and attracts towards pleasure of world.
This novels has many places and many lines which will force you to think hours. You will think that what Chitralekha said that 's right but Bijgupta was also logical. There were many paragraphs you will enjoying alot. This novel is word by word contemporary to present world. I will say the story is equally valid for all time of human philosophy.
I will just say this three novels
Vyam Raksham , Somnath and Chitralekha are the top three novels of my life.
Happy Thinking Naturally..........
