A king who composed more than 400 songs. A princess who followed a beloved temple idol to the very end. Emperors who tamed wild cheetahs and kept zebras as pets. Queens who fought the mightiest and cruellest powers on land and sea. Determined warriors, artistic temple builders, wise administrators, prolific writers, unabashed food-lovers and expert musicians... Who were these incredible, multifaceted rulers from the past who stood out among hundreds of others? From Kattabomman to Krishnadevaraya, from Abbakka to Durgavati, from Velu Nachiyar to Shantala, and from Mahendravarman to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj - what was extraordinary about them and their reign? In over 15 fascinating stories, this charmingly illustrated book takes you to the kingdoms, courts, palaces and battlefields of glorious royals, who shaped events in their own times and made their place forever in our history.

The true story of the fearsome Rani of Jhansi, the Indian Queen who took on the East India Trading Company in the Indian Uprising of 1857 Queen Lakshmibai of Jhansi was an unconventional queen. She could read and write; she rode a horse and wielded a sword; she trained other women to ride and fight alongside her. When the East India Trading Company, who ruled India in the 19th century, demanded that she hand over control of Jhansi, she refused. And when an uprising began to stir in 1857, and the British laid siege to her fortress, the warrior queen tied her infant son to her back, mounted her favourite horse, and escaped to raise an army. This is the story of a woman who defied all conventions to become an icon of resistance in colonial-era India.

This book tells the stories of ten Indian monarchs who find, at best, passing mention in the history textbooks we read, though their lives were exciting and their achievements considerable: Ajatashatru | Bindusara | Rudradaman | Pulakeshin II | Jayapida | Didda | Ramapala | Abbakka | Chand Bibi | Ahilyabai Holkar Historian and award-winning novelist, Devika Rangachari writes absorbing tales of the men and women who shaped lives and kingdoms in their times.

'Yesterday, by the grace of Allah, I, Mehr-un-nissa, daughter of Mirza Ghiyas Beg and Asmat Begum, completed thirteen years of existence on this earth... Thirteen years...I'm not sure how pleased I am to have reached this significant age.' Long before she became Nur Jahan--Emperor Jahangir's last wife and the most influential Mughal queen--she was Mehr-un-nissa. Born to Persian refugees who attained eminence at the Mughal court, Mehr-un-nissa grew up on the fringes of Emperor Akbar's court in Agra, Kabul and Lahore. In this fictional diary, Deepa Agarwal gives us a glimpse into the queen's teenage years: how she grows into a strong and passionate young woman; her love for poetry and writing; and her interest in the larger world around her. Her diary also describes the Mughal world through the eyes of a young girl: the vibrant Meena Bazaars; the elaborate festival celebrations; and the intricacies of life in the zenana. But above all, her diary records her ambition to meet the love of her life and also to carve a place for herself in history. A fascinating blend of history and fiction, The Teenage Diary of Nur Jahan brings alive a bygone age in a unique and captivating manner for young readers.

Manya badly, badly wants to be Shere Khan in her school play. The Jungle Book is her favorite film and she knows all the lines. She's sure she'll be a superb Shere Khan. But not everyone thinks so. Her classmate Rajat is always making fun of her stammer. Her English teacher thinks its risky to let her get on stage and her principal seems to agree. The more anxious Manya gets, the worse her stammer becomes. Will Manya lose her dream role? Can she overcome her fears and learn to roar?

Why does a prince give up everything in the search of truth? What can a little squirrel do to help Rama build a bridge across the sea? How does a coat end up becoming a guest at a banquet? This fascinating collection of stories answers these questions and more, while introducing you to the everyday wisdom of ancient scriptures. Handpicked from a range of texts – from the Mahabharata and the Upanishads to the Bible and the Quran, from the Jatakas and Jain parables to Lao Tzu’s teachings – these are tales of wise kings and wandering monks, of ordinary people and their extraordinary deeds, of great escapes and mighty miracles, of clever creatures and foolish gods. Heart-warming, uplifting and sprinkled with gentle wit, these stories will comfort and inspire you every time you read them.