EntertainmentPosted at: Dec 9 2025 8:09PM


There is excessive Delhi focus in our history books: Amish Tripathi

Kolkata, Dec 9 (UNI) Sharply criticising what he described as "the narrow focus" on Delhi-centric narratives in Indian history, acclaimed author Amish Tripathi has advocated a more balanced portrayal of the subcontinent's diverse dynasties.
"There is excessive Delhi focus in our history books. Dynasties like the Cholas, Palas, Senas and Adil Shahis barely get a mention, even though they shaped large parts of India," Tripathi said, recalling his schooldays in Tamil Nadu when southern history was squeezed into a section titled 'Meanwhile in the South.'
Taking part in an interactive session at the curtainser of the 17th Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival (AKLF) on Monday, the banker-turned-writer observed that by 1590-1600, Bijapur's Adil Shahi dynasty had amassed greater wealth than the Timurid Mughals, yet textbooks overlook this fact.
He emphasised that historical conflicts were religious but basically told the stories about defending India from repeated invasions by foreigners from Central Asia, including Huns, Turks and Mongols.
Tripathi's latest novel, 'The Chola Tigers: Avengers of Somnath' explores the rise of the Chola Empire and its campaign against Mahmud of Ghazni in 1025.
He described Emperor Rajaraja Chola as a visionary yet humble leader, who prioritised building temples, universities and infrastructure over grandiose palaces.
Sharing insights into his writing process, Tripathi revealed how a single liner, "her name was Sarah" made him emotional. "I still get emotional when I think of that line. So actually I had to rewrite the whole damn book."
On how he sourced the materials for his latest book, Tripathi pointed to temple inscriptions, copper plates and classical works like Ponniyin Selvan. Tripathi also called for better translations and more archaeological exploration to move beyond biases inherited from colonial-era scholarship.
"I'm a storyteller, not a scholar. So I have to kind of draw as many facts as I can and then write a story which connects those facts, for which there's enough material. But we need to do a lot more to study our ancestors. We don't have enough translations," he added. UNI NST SSP
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