Puli Thevar

The truth is finally out! Thanks to recent discoveries by researchers from all over the world, we now know that the English East India Company pillaged India, looted-a word borrowed from India-trillions of dollars' worth of treasure from India. The next time you read of the lords and ladies who made their fortunes in India, living the high life, think of the millions who starved to death in the Jewel of the Crown. But it's easy to blame the East India Company and ignore their henchmen. After all, the Europeans relied on native allies who committed much of the dirty work. Many rajahs and nawabs bloated with the blood of their countrymen. And locally recruited sepoys and peons were often harsh, if not downright brutal, to their brethren. However, many more Indians passively resisted, and even fought the foreigners. Foremost among the early rebels was Puli Thevar. He outwitted the English in several military engagements, and was also the only local chieftain who defeated the vaunted Yusuf Khan-a man the English mentioned in the same breath as Clive of India, no less. However, Yusuf Khan subsequently rebelled against his English masters. Was Yusuf Khan a traitor or a freedom fighter? What did Puli Thevar and Yusuf Khan, two of the best field commanders of their time, had to say to one another when they met? This novel is based on the facts and legends surrounding Puli Thevar.