HarperCollins Presents Buchi Ramagopal’s ‘Arambha’

is proud to announce the publication of

Ārambha: The Birth of Vijayanagara

by Buchi Ramagopal

Ārambha is a story of skill and rapid conquest, as two brothers carve out an empire in the subcontinent. Most of all, it is a story of exceptional people who played a role in building this new entity – the Vijayanagara Empire

Published by HarperCollins

Paperback | 548 pp | INR 499

Available wherever books are sold | Releasing on April 15, 2023

ABOUT THE BOOK

How Two Brothers Built an Empire

When Hakka and Bukka are taken prisoners by Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq in the battle at the Fort of Hosadurg in 1327, they begin to forge a relationship with their captor. Over time, Tughlaq installs Hakka as the Governor of Kampili, the kingdom where the brothers had initially been captured by the Sultan’s army.

Slowly, Hakka and Bukka break free of the Sultanate and begin to establish their influence in the South. Over forty years, they lay the foundation for the Vijayanagara Empire – an empire that would last for more than two centuries.

This is a story of skill and rapid conquest, as two brothers carve out an empire in the subcontinent. Most of all, it is a story of exceptional people who played a role in building this new entity – the Vijayanagara Empire.

According to the author, Buchi Ramagopal, ‘Looking at the vivid canvas of Indian history, Hakka Raya and Bukka Raya’s establishment of the Vijayanagara empire is definitely in the foreground and stands out as a feat of great consequence. This period in history marks the beginning of a renaissance in Southern India: In art, architecture, the study of scripture, and music … I found the history and the story of the two brothers heroic, and their accomplishments genuinely magnificent. This is a story of skill, rapid conquest, and an extraordinary ability to consolidate the subcontinent during a period of flux. I hope the drama of events that transpired, and the majesty of their achievements is conveyed in story told in Ārambha.’

Poulomi Chatterjee, Publisher, HarperCollins India says ‘Buchi Ramagopal brings us a meticulously researched, fast-paced and action-filled adventure of epic and awe-inspiring proportions – a journey through a time that was both fascinatingly eventful and fraught with battles, upheaval and change. Tracing the story of the Vijayanagara Empire, its building blocks and the brothers who founded it, this novel brings a significant period of India’s history alive in all its complex and fascinating glory.’

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Buchi Ramagopal was born in India and spent his early years there. For ten years, he was an academic, on the faculty at Middlebury College, the University of Vermont, and McGill University. He subsequently moved into banking. Buchi now lives in New Jersey with his wife, and his dog Pax, his writing companion.

30 YEARS OF HARPERCOLLINS PUBLISHERS INDIA

At HarperCollins, we believe in telling the best stories and finding the widest possible readership for our books in every format possible. We started publishing 30 years ago; a great deal has changed since then, but what has remained constant is the passion with which our authors write their books, the love with which readers receive them, and the sheer joy and excitement that we as publishers feel in being a part of the publishing process.

Over the years, we’ve had the pleasure of publishing some of the finest writing from the subcontinent and around the world, and some of the biggest bestsellers in India’s publishing history. Our books and authors have won a phenomenal range of awards, and we ourselves have been named Publisher of the Year the greatest number of times. But nothing has meant more to us than the fact that millions of people have read the books we published, and somewhere, a book of ours might have made a difference.

As we step into our fourth decade, we go back to that one word a word which has been a driving force for us all these years:

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Prerna Singh

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