Book review: 'Urnabhih' by Sumedha V Ojha brings Chandragupta Maurya's reign to life

As a debut novel Urnabhih packs enough punches to keep the reader interested. This deeply researched novel is exemplary for the kind of effort it usually takes to write historical fiction.

Set in the years of the reign of Chandragupta Maurya, the book follows Misrakesi, who has penetrated the circles surrounding the king with the intention to kill Chanakya, his chief aide and mentor, as a way to avenging the death of her sister. Strangely, the death of her sister and why she committed suicide is never revealed in the book itself. Misrakesi, initially out to kill Chanakya, finds herself turned by the very man she targets.

Instead, she ends up becoming his spy, and under the tutelage of her mysterious yet attractive chief Pushyamitra Sunga, she sets out to save the king.

Set in Pataliputra (now Patna), the book echoes the period and the enduring charisma of the mind that has become synonymous with modern day quotes on social media. The new king has just taken the Nanda dynasty and his mentor Chanakya has a united Jambudweep (India as it was known then) on his mind. Chanakya’s oeuvre is palpable in the first few chapters itself.

As with most historical fiction, there has to be an integral thread running through the narrative. Here it is Chanakya. But as with most historical fiction it is difficult to find a balance between the language you use, and the material you want to invoke through that language. There are times when the book can become a difficult read, but if read with patience, it delivers on most aspects one can expect from a debut feature. Most characters are well-formed, whereas the most intriguing Chanakya is left under the cloak of mysteriousness — aptly so. He is only referred to by other characters. Misrakesi shares complicated relationship with her chief Pushyamitra, who is both inconsiderate and affectionate at times.

But together, both manage to pull together the resources at hand, solve a very real-world problem of counterfeit currency flowing through the newly acquired kingdom, and even get on to the good side of the young king. As far as research of the period goes, there isn’t must that could be asked of the writer.

Ojha has taken great care in setting the characters in a time most readers will find alien. For want of a little more emphasis on character, and depth of the people that make up the story, the book still requires a re-touch. But for all its mystery, plot and nail-biting finish, this book does in fact read like a television series in the making. Perhaps, it even serves a certain purpose to have this book adapted for television as it is slated to in the near future.

A follow-up to the book is in the works, where the mystery behind Sukesi’s death might come to fore. Ojha would do well to take us deeper into the hearts and minds of the characters in the second edition.

But for now Urnabhih (Spider’s Web) true to its name, is power-packed, with enough jagged plotlines, good writing, mysterious characters and their many mindful and unmindful revelations, that by the end you will be convinced that Ojha’s second coming will be stronger.