The novel depicts the colonial encounter between Rani Chennamma and the authorities of the East India Company around 1824 for land and political power. Although the Rani put up a heroic fight with the East India Company authorities and succeeded in killing Mr. Thackeray, the Political Agent of South India and Collector of Dharwad, she was betrayed by her own courtiers later, and consequently, she was defeated by the East India Company authorities headed by the Commissioner of the Deccan, Mr. Chaplin. Then her kingdom of Kittur was annexed to the British Raj, and she was imprisoned in her own fort at Bailahongala, where she breathed her last in 1829 after suffering from nostalgia for the past glory of her kingdom.

Perspectives in Indian History deals with the history of India from 10,000 BC until 1857 AD. It delves into the story of the Indus-Saraswati civilization and the development of the Vedas. Such a book has been written for the first time, wherein India’s history has been analyzed from the early Hindu period. Hitherto most history books have emphasized the Muslim period or the British period. These have been written by Muslim historians or European colonists, which was often skewed by their fundamental bias that no civilization could equal their own. During this retelling, the author covers the interesting aspects of each age starting with the Ramayana. He then examines hotly debated issues like whether Alexander the Great won or lost in India. The author carries out an analysis of the causes of the conquest of India by the Muslims. The author analyses detailed battleplans of major battles, which affected India’s history, like Panipat, Plassey, and many others, and discusses the weaponry and tactics used in these wars.

When Chenamma, the queen of Kittur, lost her only son she was steeped in sorrow. But when her husband reminded her that even the people of Kittur were her children she pulled herself together and devoted her life to their well-being. So committed was she to the honour and welfare of her land that when the British came asking for its allegiance she took on their military strength and fought them to the end.

Geographically located on the south western part of South India, Karnataka has abundant natural resources. Its western ghats with rich forest resources, and plain valleys, is crowned with more prosperous narrow coast line. Its Mangalore Newport has enhanced its value in terms of international trade with rich foreign exchange. Above all, it has rich cultural tradition and puranic legends of historical importance.