10 Books by Indian Authors to Decolonize Your Bookshelf
Recommendations spanning mythology, history, and politics from young writer Aryan's curated list of transformative books
Asian Writers’ Collective is a publication dedicated to fostering greater understanding and appreciation of Asian cultures and experiences among a global readership. Subscribe to decolonize your reading and discover unique writing.
This issue of book recommendations was curated by
by Wanderings of a Wonderer, where he writes musings. Popular articles include “Confessions, Self Discovery and Regrets from Childhood,” and “Dear August Waters,” If you enjoy this post, be sure to subscribe to his newsletter.
Hello everyone, this is Aryan from a small city of Hassan in the Southern Part of India! I am here for some beautiful suggestions to decolonize your bookshelves with some amazing reads from the subcontinent!
I am an 18-year-old college student from the Silicon City of India, Bangalore, pursuing my Bachelors in Engineering. I write on my Substack, Wonderings of a Wanderer, covering topics like literature, love, life, and everything in between. I am a history geek who loves politics for all its drama and wickedness. I also happen to love art and literature equally, just like the degree I am pursuing, and I believe in getting the best of both worlds!
Indian literature has always been very dear to my heart since I picked up reading in sixth grade. The authors I love are all proud flag bearers of what India is and stands for as a civilization. They not only depict India in all its vibrance and color but also do justice to the values our culture teaches us, making them integral parts of our lives.
I generally read a lot of historical fiction, mythological fiction, and science fiction. They are all my go to genres on a bad day!
Fiction
The Shiva Trilogy by Amish Tripathi (2010). Amish Tripathi, as an author and thinker, has significantly influenced my literary journey. Growing up reading Rick Riordan, I always craved stories which re-imagined Indian mythology to the younger generation, and man, Amish has done a phenomenal job on that front!
The Shiva Trilogy is a mesmerising reimagining of the legend of Neelkanth, set in the ancient lands of Bharat (India). What sets this series apart is its profound exploration of the nature of good and evil, seamlessly weaving philosophical insights into powerful conversations that challenge modern notions. The central theme delves into the duality of good and evil, illustrating how they are two sides of the same coin—what is celebrated as a boon today could transform into an evil in the future.
For instance, Soma in the story can be seen as a metaphorical precursor to modern technology, highlighting its potential to be both a blessing and a curse. This trilogy masterfully blends philosophy, mythology, and storytelling into a thought-provoking narrative that captivates you from start to finish.
The Ram Chandra Series by Amish Tripathi (2015). The Ram Chandra Series is a masterful retelling of the Ramayana exploring it from the points of view of points of Lord Ram, Lady Sita and also Ravan. Though the author does take creative liberties in exploring a few lines in the series, they do not deviate from what the epics truly stand for.
The emotional ambiguities the characters face hold a mirror to our own struggles in that way also act as self exploratorypassages. The beautiful imagery in these books will definitely take you back in time!
The Ballad of Earth and Sun from Book 3 is one of the best poems I have read in a very long time.
Legend of Suheldev by Amish Tripathi (2020). Legend of Suheldev is a powerful and inspiring tale of King Suheldev of Shravasti, who abandoned the comforts of royalty to lead a guerrilla resistance against the Turkic armies of Mahmud of Ghazni after the devastating attack on the Somnath temple. This story vividly captures the brutality and scale of destruction caused by the Turkic invasions, while highlighting the unity of Indians who rose above caste and religious divisions to defend their homeland.
The following are some of the most powerful lines from the book to have left a deep impression on me:
Civilizations do not end because foreigners attack them for is there ever a time civilizations were not attacked by barbarians? They died because the civilized stopped caring about their civilizations.
-King Suheldev,
Legend of Suheldev By Amish
The Sialkot Saga by Ashwin Sanghi (2022). Ashwin Sanghi is a fantastic master of weaving science and history, becoming someone who comes closest to the art of Dan Brown’s way of storytelling. He has truly lived up to his name with successive installments of the Bharat Series, which are a delightful mocktail of thrill and information with just the right kind of page-turning narrative!
Another impressive trait of Ashwin is that he always leaves the reader with a long list in the bibliography so as to let the reader explore and deep dive into the topic themselves. His immense research behind every book reflects how value-adding each book is!
The Sialkot Saga follows Arvind and Arbaaz as their lives intertwine with India’s transformation across eras, blending personal growth with the nation’s evolving identity. The story reflects the resilience of South Asians while delving into emotions like revenge, love, and ambition. Mysticism, godmen, and ancient beliefs add a layer of intrigue, raising questions about faith and morality. This mind-bending tale blurs the line between myth and reality, offering a gripping exploration of human nature and societal change.
Chanakya's Chant by Ashwin Sanghi (2022). Chanakya’s Chant bridges ancient wisdom with modern political intrigue through two parallel narratives: Chanakya, the strategist of 340 BCE, and Pandit Gangasagar Mishra, a contemporary kingmaker. Both demonstrate the timeless relevance of Chanakya’s teachings in the pursuit of power. The novel explores ambition, revenge, and moral ambiguity in politics. With sharp wit and compelling storytelling, it exposes the dark side of power from ancient empires to modern democracies, leaving readers captivated by the fine line between strategy and deception.
Keepers of the Kalachakra by Ashwin Sanghi (2022). Keepers of the Kalachakra is a riveting blend of science, spirituality, and espionage, unraveling a hidden world where ancient mysticism meets cutting-edge technology. The story follows a secretive sect guarding the Kalachakra, a time-manipulating force, as they battle global conspiracies. As quantum physics intertwines with spiritual philosophies, the narrative explores the delicate balance between science and faith. Packed with intrigue, assassinations, and a race against time, it challenges perceptions of reality and destiny.
The Brahmin by Ravi Shankar Etteth (2023). The Brahmin by Ravi Shankar Etteth is a riveting historical thriller set during Emperor Ashoka’s reign, blending suspense with political intrigue. The story follows a cunning spymaster, The Brahmin, as he investigates a series of murders while navigating Ashoka’s ambition, Queen Asandhimitra’s poise, and rivalries within the court. Despite its layered narrative of conspiracies and hidden weapons, the plot remains sharp and well-paced. Etteth’s portrayal of The Brahmin, a Chanakya descendant, adds depth, delivering a tightly woven and satisfying tale.
I remember putting this down at 1AM with a feeling of satisfaction that I had not felt in a very long time.
The Kalki Trilogy by Kevin Missal (2023). This trilogy by Kevin Missal is a must-read for anyone interested in modern mythological fiction. It tells the story of Kalki, the tenth avatar of Vishnu, destined to vanquish evil at the end of the Kaliyug. This series is not only entertaining and enjoyable on multiple levels due to its fast-paced, page-turning nature, but it also features excellent character development. The journey of Kalki through the books only gets better, with each installment building upon the last. This is one of those rare series that improves as it progresses. For anyone looking to dive into mythological fiction, this trilogy is one of the best ever.
Five Point Someone by Chetan Bhagat (2022). This book by Chetan Bhagat is a captivating coming-of-age novel that offers a raw and humorous glimpse into the lives of three friends—Hari, Ryan, and Alok—navigating the pressures of the prestigious IIT system. Set against the backdrop of academic rigors and societal expectations, the story highlights the struggles of maintaining friendships, chasing dreams, and dealing with personal insecurities.
For every college student and for that matter any kid in the Southeast Asian country, this is a humorous and witty read that also raises serious questions about the pressures children face with competitive exams and colleges to perform well for better grades and further prospects.
Nonfiction
Immortal India by Amish Tripathi (2017). This is a powerful collection of essays and speeches exploring India’s rich heritage and contemporary issues. Covering topics like religion, history, politics, and gender equality, Amish offers a balanced perspective on India’s enduring legacy and extensive views to the problems which infest Indian society today. Blending deep research with engaging storytelling, he invites readers to reflect on India’s past, present, and future. This is a must-read for anyone seeking fresh insight into the soul of India and its relevance in the modern world.
Hope you loved these recommendations. I would definitely look forward to hearing how you people felt after reading these books!
May these books be a bright spot on your bookshelves with some great Indie authors!
I would love to sign off with a quote from George R.R. Martin:
“A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies; the man who never reads lives only one.”
—George R.R. Martin, A Dance with Dragons
Thank you,
, for Introducing us to Indian literature! Be sure to check out his publication at Wonderings of a Wonderer.
A question for you: What draws you into unfamiliar literature?
 | A guest post by
|
Went all the way down, not a woman on the list. Mashallah, decolonisation.
Thanks for the explanation of Kalki. I like the mythical concept of Kalki triumphing over Kali. I have a feeling that if the world almost ends, someone out of India will save it, just like in the older movies. I am a huge India buff and Hindi cinema buff and wish you Happy India Republic Day this Sunday, January 26th. And you could end up writing a novel out of your research. I read a short story where this lady's son committed suicide and it was very painful for her to try and understand why he took his own life. So she started reading quantum physics theory and she figured out exactly why it happened. Now that is harrowing to read but often science observes patterns in life that if you understand what they communicate, it helps you understand life better. And a good novel does the same thing so those two parallel tracks of scientific research and writing may well meld and converge together with you at some point. I have about 500 dvds of Hindi films and have a list of my favorite Hindi films. So here it is and you may not have time with all your reading and study but you can look at YouTube trailers to see if any would be worth watching and most are on Netflix or Amazon Prime or Zee5 or the Jio only in India platform or for a nominal price to rent or buy. All the Best to you in pursuing your degree and later research and in writing. I look forward to reading your existing posts and future ones.
Filmistan
NH10
Lagaan
Sandeep aur Pinky Faraar
3 Idiots
Guide
Like Stars On Earth
Sardar Udham
Dangal
Andhadhun
Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara
Haider
Dil Chahta Hai
Queen
Drishyam
Barfi
Chak De! India
PK
Kahanni
Bajrangi Bhaijaan
Rock On!!
The Lunchbox
Veer-Zaara
Mimi
Piku
Thappad