22 January,2012 08:37 AM IST | | Fiona Fernandez
Amar Chitra Katha takes us back in history to offer a tribute to some of India's most important rulers in the years before India became a Republic, in a 20-title pack that will engage both six and 60 year-olds
Nation building can't be easy. Especially when it comes riding on the back of rich civilisations, heroic dynasties, wise monarchs and a multi-layered social fabric that transcended time and terrain. We've been lucky to have fine storytellers like Amar Chitra Katha who have recreated our history for over four decades by using the comic book format to perfection. So, while you may have read some of the titles in this pack separately, this latest edition, called Nation Builders, is ideal for schools, parents, young and the not-so-young.
"Through this latest collection, we have grouped together leaders from Indian history who have been exemplary rulers and administrators," says Reena I Puri, Editor, Amar Chitra Katha. She adds that while one typically tends to recall the nation's freedom fighters on Republic Day, it's equally important to remember our rulers who preserved and protected India's political and cultural identity.
The illustrations by ACK's team of artists, coupled with their trademark lucid storyboards have ensured that the content is fresh. So, while you brush up on Babur's battlefield exploits, you also learn about the bold stance adopted by the lesser-known Queen Chennamma of Keladi (Karnataka) who defied Emperor Aurangzeb when the Mughal Empire was in its prime. We loved the racy artworks in Ashoka, Rana Pratap, Prithviraj Chauhan, Sher Shah (cover), Vikramaditya and Roopmati. Old favourites like Akbar and Tales of Shivaji made for great reads too.
The choice of subjects ensure that rulers from across India made it to the final 20. The box set is a delight for the buff in search of something that may have skipped the history textbook in school. Rs 950 (pack of 20 titles). Log on to amarchitrakatha.com
