Book SummaryBravehearts of Bharat, by Vikram Sampath

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of Bravehearts of Bharat

Sovereigns and leaders who valiantly protected India's lands from external aggressors.

"Bravehearts of Bharat" by Vikram Sampath recounts the stories of various rulers, both male and female, who took on the duty of protecting their lands and citizens, along with their cultural and spiritual heritage, from invasions by foreign powers that spanned from Arab to European armies. Sampath contests the traditional depiction that frequently highlights the losses of the subcontinent and the seeming lack of resistance, positing that the persistence of this civilization suggests episodes of defiance and triumphs too.

Illustrious rulers such as Lalitaditya Muktapida of Kashmir, Rajaraja Chola and Rajendra Chola, Martanda Varma of Travancore, and Lachit Barphukan of Assam guided their kingdoms to significant victories against powerful adversaries, among them the military forces that came from Burma.

Sampath calls for a reassessment of India's historical narrative to diminish the excessive focus on the Delhi Sultanate and its rulers. The author rectifies this neglect through a thorough examination of the achievements of these four rulers, who typically receive only cursory attention in conventional historical narratives.

Lalitaditya Muktapida's remarkable military tactics not only impeded the advance of foreign powers but also his significant contributions to architecture and governance solidified the region's dominance and influence.

The narrative of the book captivatingly describes the rise to power of the Karkota dynasty in Kashmir during the eighth century CE. The founder of the dynasty greatly expanded his territory, an event that was recorded by the Chinese Buddhist monk, scholar, and traveler Hsuan-Tsang during his visit to Kashmir around 631 CE. The true magnificence of the dynasty came to light when Lalitaditya Muktapida ascended as its fourth sovereign. He assumed control of a realm deeply afflicted by significant internal political turmoil. His elder brother Tarapida, who had usurped the throne through black magic, was killed by his own treacherous Brahmin officers through sorcery. Lalitaditya commenced his rule approximately in the year 724 CE. He was acutely aware that Junayd-al-Murri, the newly installed provincial governor of Sindh and an adherent of the Umayyad Caliphate, could initiate a military assault on Kashmir.

The Arabs had made several unsuccessful attempts to capture India earlier, even during the time of Emperor Harshavardhana in Kannauj, yet they only managed to find a weak spot when Raja Dahar, a descendant of Chacha Rai and the ruler of Sindh, was in power, an event that culminated in the Arab invasion and subsequent control of Sindh in 712 CE. The Sindh forces, though eventually defeated, valiantly resisted Mohammad-bin-Qasim's incursion. The Arabs' conquest of Sindh was facilitated by their formidable combined armed forces, which boasted siege machinery, and was further aided by the betrayal of Dahar's former troops who switched allegiances to the Arab side, along with support from Jayasimha, Dahar's offspring, who fled to Kashmir and found sanctuary there. Despite experiencing a defeat, Dahar's family persisted in their courageous defiance, even though one of his daughters was forced to become part of Caliph Al-Walid I's harem. She masterfully engineered the downfall of Qasim, which in turn precipitated her own demise.

Lalitaditya, the Kashmiri monarch, put up a strong defense against Junayd-al-Murri's attempts to conquer the area. Upon reaching Punjab, he skillfully led his cavalry to secure victory against the forces of Junayd. Lalitaditya's actions resolutely demonstrated the resilience of Kashmir as a domain that resisted Arab control. Before initiating an attack on the heartland of India, Junayd allied with Tibet. The alliance of Hindu Rajput kings from regions including Kannauj and Mewar, along with the Lat principality, emerged victorious against their foes in the years 730-31 CE. Lalitaditya, in collaboration with Yashovarman of Kannauj, successfully repelled the incursions of Arab and Turkic forces, chasing them to what is now known as the Ghazni area in Zabulistan. Lalitaditya expanded his dominion to encompass areas such as Kabul, which had been susceptible to external Arab military invasions despite once being friendly territories. In 733 CE, with the support of the Chinese T'ang dynasty, Lalitaditya effectively repelled Tibetan incursions that challenged their dominance over the trade routes. In his final years, he embarked on a journey known as 'Uttarapatha,' which took him through regions adjacent to the Taklamakan Desert. Lalitaditya never returned from his military campaigns.

Sampath emphasizes that Lalitaditya was a visionary ruler who not only established new urban centers but also constructed numerous important religious structures, which, although impaired, still stand as evidence of his splendid reign.

Context

• His reign was marked by economic prosperity, partly due to his policies that promoted agriculture, trade, and commerce. The establishment of trade routes and markets facilitated economic growth and integration with neighboring regions.
• The Karkota rulers were known for their architectural innovations, including the construction of grand temples and cities, which reflected their prosperity and artistic patronage.
• The founder's expansion efforts were crucial in establishing Kashmir as a formidable power in the Indian subcontinent during the early medieval period.
• His writings, particularly the "Great Tang Records on the Western Regions," offer a comprehensive view of the political, cultural, and religious landscape of India during his time, including the rise of the Karkota dynasty.
• Much of what is known about Lalitaditya comes from historical texts like the Rajatarangini, a chronicle of the kings of Kashmir written by Kalhana in the 12th century, which provides detailed accounts of his reign...

Bravehearts of Bharat Summary Distinguished women ascended to positions of authority and adeptly defended their realms.

Sampath explores the stories of extraordinary women who rose to leadership within their communities during times of hardship.

Female rulers, including Gujarat's Rani Naiki Devi and others from Warangal, valiantly led their subjects in staunch resistance to foreign invaders.

Throughout different periods and localities, these women stand out for their tenacity and determination, presenting a different tale of bravery through a female lens, an aspect that Sampath argues has frequently been neglected in the mainstream historical narratives of India.

Abbakka Chowta is celebrated for her courageous naval battles against the European invaders from Portugal, her strategic alliances, and for being recognized as the first Indian sovereign to defy colonial domination.

The narrative explores how Rani Abbakka of Ullal valiantly resisted Portuguese colonial advances in her territory. The author Vikram Sampath proposes that Ullal could have been home to possibly two or three women named Abbakka, each distinguished by a fervent zeal for warfare. The first ruler of Abbakka was highly adept in military tactics and was acutely aware of the threat posed by the Portuguese to her small...

Bravehearts of Bharat Summary The tactics and approaches utilized by these leaders aimed to confront the foreign invaders.

Sampath's narrative also underscores the diverse array of ingenious tactics employed by the ruler to offset their military shortcomings and protect their territories from invasions.

The rulers in question utilized inventive warfare tactics, including guerilla strategies and maritime offensives, while also astutely using the landscape to their advantage, in addition to effectively organizing local resources and populace, enabling them to overcome opponents with superior numbers and more sophisticated technology.

The book's critical section illustrates that these leaders, even when confronted with the daunting challenge of facing the invaders' overwhelming numbers, or contending with adversaries equipped with advanced weaponry and military gear unfamiliar to them, managed to change the course of history.

Lalitaditya adeptly utilized unorthodox combat tactics, naval prowess, and alliances to protect Kashmir from assaults by external forces.

The author emphasizes a blend of factors that enabled Lalitaditya to attain a level of supremacy unmatched around the world. The army of Kashmir was primarily made up of cavalry and foot soldiers, unlike the Arab and subsequent...