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Ivory Throne: Chronicles of the House of Travancore
Ivory Throne: Chronicles of the House of Travancore | Manu S. Pillai
4 posts | 1 read | 6 to read
In 1498, when Vasco da Gama set foot in Kerala looking for Christians and spices, he unleashed a wave of political fury that would topple local powers like a house of cards. The cosmopolitan fabric of a vibrant trading society - with its Jewish and Arab merchants, Chinese pirate heroes and masterful Hindu Zamorins - was ripped apart, heralding an age of violence and bloodshed. One prince, however, emerged triumphant from this descent into chaos. Shrewdly marrying Western arms to Eastern strategy, Martanda Varma consecrated the dominion of Travancore, destined to become one of the most dutiful pillars of the British Raj. What followed was two centuries of internecine conflict in one of India's premier princely states, culminating in a dynastic feud between two sisters battling to steer the fortunes of their house on the eve of Independence. Manu S. Pillai's retelling of this sprawling saga focuses on the remarkable life and work of Sethu Lakshmi Bayi, the last - and forgotten - queen of the House of Travancore. The supporting cast includes the flamboyant painter Raja Ravi Varma and his wrathful wife, scheming matriarchs of 'violent, profligate and sordid' character, wife-swapping court favourites, vigilant English agents, quarrelling consorts and lustful kings. Extensively researched and vividly rendered, The Ivory Throne conjures up a dramatic world of political intrigues and factions, black magic and conspiracies, crafty ceremonies and splendorous temple treasures, all harnessed in a tragic contest for power and authority in the age of empire.
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ZacPaup
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Manu S Pillai in the house.

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Dhanya2277
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I just read one chapter and I am completely in love with the style of writing. The author uses sophisticated yet simple language which makes reading it fun and it is a beautiful experience for me knowing the history of the royal family of my homeland...

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Dhanya2277
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Gonna start reading this today. It is the history of the royal family of Travancore, a small place in a small state in India.... If you haven't visited Kerala yet please do so you are gonna love it...🌴🌴🌴

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Baalmenon
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Great historic thriller. Must read

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