Legend of Suheldev

 Legend Of Suheldev: The King Who Saved India

Amish Tripathi

A giant tide of history for the last 2000 year was defined by a flood of horrific violence. It wiped out all the ancient cultures of the world: Rome, Egypt, Greece and many more. But one ancient civilization stubbornly refused to die. One proud culture refused to break or be overwritten. And that civilization is India. Many invaders came to destroy India but, every time a hero has emerged to save his motherland. King Suheldev’s name surely comes in that list. Never heard or read this name before?....... Not even in a history textbook?.....Because this great hero and his legend have been ignored in the pages of Indian history. Therefore, the popular historic writer Amish Tripathi unravelled the story of King Suheldev in his latest novel. This book is an epic adventure of courage and heroism.

The story begins in 1025AD when Mahmud of Ghazni attacked the famous Somanath temple and broke the great idol of Shiva. Well, truly broke the soul of India. King Malladev, crown prince of Shravasti died defending the Somnath Temple. This was the spark that ignited the fire of vengeance within Suheldev; younger brother of Malladev and then a great history was written!

Unlike his elder brother, Sudeldev was naive and short-tempered. But his brother's sudden demise caused a massive transformation in Suheldev. He realized, 'Turks are evil. They won't stop the war or killing. The more we try to appease, the more they will demand. The more we surrender, the more they will attack. The only way they will be stopped if we Indians dare to stand up and say enough is enough'. Suheldev wanted to destroy Turks and avenge his brother's death.

Suhel was fierce and wise. However, his father; Mangaldhwaj knew that Suheldev alone could not defend Turks. He needed alliance. Suheldev was from lower caste and was not Kshatriya. Hence, arrogant Kshatriya kings were not ready to join Sharavsti king. Instead, some surrendered to Turks or some lost the war against outnumbered Turks. Emperor of Kannuj Ajitpal was one of them. He was ready to rub his nose on Mummad's leg but not to help his Indian brother to save his motherland. Suheldev was alone but he didn't give up. He knew that 'Darkness doesn't win because it is strong. It wins because lamps stop fighting'. He formed a small group of men and decided to use guerilla warfare to knock down smaller Turk groups. His trustworthy solder Abdul was part of the band. He became Suhel's right-hand in all their secret attacks. 

Gradually, Suheldev and his group succeeded to create terror among Turks. Naturally, Suheldev's fame spread far and wide in India. Hence, his small band started to grow. Tomar commander Gowardhan, brilliant archer Toshani, Budhh monk Ashvagosh & Sanghamani and Turk soldier Aslan joined Suheldev's band. Some were providing information secretly like prime minister of Kannuj Vrishabh. Suheldev united men and women of nation irrespective of their religion, caste or status in society only for one purpose; to protect mother India. Because 'Moksha can wait but evil must be to stopped first'.

Meanwhile, Mahmud of Ghazni died hence the Turk army returned to Ghazni for some time. A huge civil war started in Ghazni for Sultanate. Finally, Mahmud's son Shahid became next Sultan and his beloved nephew Salar Maqsud became commander in chief. Salar Maqsud had the dream to rule India. So immediately after the appointment, Salar started his march towards India with a large army and his lover Kerim. On the other hand in India, King Mangaldhwaj died due to cancer. However, Suheldev had no time for mourning. He implemented the idea of the confederacy. He invited all the kings who were ready for the alliance. Nearly twenty-one kings swore their loyalty to Suheldev. Later emperor of Chole, Rajendra also agreed to help Suhel. Suheldev finally succeeded to achieve something that very few could have achieved; unity. He united children of mother India to save her from Turkic hordes.

Suheldev systematically planned the war and even decided the place of war; Baharaich for its natural advantages in war. Finally, the day of the war arrived. On the first of half, Suheldev outpowered Turks by his brilliantly laid traps. However, in the second half, Ashvagosh was killed by the Turk. And that Turk was none other than Aslan. Suheldev's army was shaken by the incident. The traitor in the army could have been proved much costlier affair for Suheldev at that point of the war. But Aslan finally revealed the truth that the person who killed Ashvaghosh was his twin brother Salar Maqsud. His real name was not Aslan but Salar Masud. He was not in favour with his brother's dream of conquering India and wanted peace instead. Hence, he came to India and kept his identity secret. Suheldev was kind but pragmatic too. He gave a chance to Aslan to prove his loyalty and in-charged him to lead the front line.

In the next day of the war, unexpectedly many Suheldev's men died. Many injured including Abdul, Toshani and Suhel himself. Salar Maqsud killed Aslan/Masud. Suheldev's army was going back foot. While Suheldev was seeing clear Defeat in war, surprisingly long awaiting Chole army arrived at the right time and started to kill Turks furiously. Each and every Turk was killed without mercy. Because they say, 'dharma binsa thathaiv cha'.The violence that protects dharma is justified. And India won the war. Salar Maqsud who succeeded to escape was searched and seized by Suhel's army. He was burned against Islamic rule and his ashes were sent to Ghazni with the message,'Come to India as a devotee, and our motherland will open her heart for you. Dare to come as invaders, and will burn every single one of you'.Later Somnath temple along with other temples were reconstructed. The Shiva Linga was installed in the Somnath temple in the presence of Suheldev and his band.

There is a verse in holy Geeta,

"Yada yada hi dharmasya glanirbhavati bharata 

Abhythanamadharmasya tadatmanam srijamyaham

Paritranaya sadhunang vinashay cha dushkritam

Dharmasangsthapanarthay sambhabami yuge yuge"

The verse means whenever there is the decay of righteousness, God comes forth to protect the good, for the destruction of evil, For the sake of firmly establishing righteousness. Similarly, a thousand years back God Krishna reborn to save Maa Bharati in the form of a fierce and charismatic leader, Suheldev. He not only saved India but proved that when we Indians stand together, shoulder to shoulder, we are undefeatable.

  

Link To Purchase the book - Legend of Suheldev