Epic tales

Author Amish talks about his latest book, The Chola Tigers, its audiobook version, and more

- Sapna Sarfare

Stories based on India’s glorious history are something to look out for. Acclaimed author Amish has been bringing to print interesting vignettes from Indian mythology and history. His fiction and nonfiction books have garnered praise and a dedicated reader base. His Shiva Trilogy and Ram Chandra Series catapulted him into literary stardom — domestically and globally. Apart from his books, his shows on Hindu mythology and Indian history have made many people more aware of their country. His latest offering, The Chola Tigers, in print and audiobook format on Audible, offers yet another interesting peek into the past.

Excerpts from the interview:

Tell us about The Chola Tigers?

The Chola Tigers is set during the time when Mahmud Ghazni attacked India and destroyed the Somnath temple, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas and a major Shiva temple. Emperor Rajendra Chola, then the most powerful ruler and a devoted follower of Lord Shiva, decided to act. He sent a team of Indians from across the subcontinent—Hindus and Muslims, men and women—to Ghazni to assassinate Mahmud and recover pieces of the broken Shivling. The story follows this daring mission.

What can one expect from the audiobook?

My readers expect immersive books from me set in the past, which will be fast-paced, feature grand drama, war, action, love, and philosophies, and have a deeply Indian narrative. And The Chola Tigers is completely within that vein. It is why it’s doing very well as a physical book. I'm sure it will do very well in the audiobook format. I think Audible has done a fantastic job. It’s not just someone reading the book; they've actually done it like an audio drama.

Why pick the theme of Cholas with the background of Mahmud of Ghazni’s attacks?