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Chanakya's Chant
by
Ashwin Sanghi (Goodreads Author)
The year is 340 BC. A hunted, haunted Brahmin youth vows revenge for the gruesome murder of his beloved father. Cold, cunning, calculating, cruel and armed with a complete absence of accepted morals, he becomes the most powerful political strategist in Bharat and succeeds in uniting a ragged country against the invasion of the army of that demigod, Alexander the Great.
Pitt...more
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ebook, 468 pages
Published
January 1st 2011
by Westland Ltd.
(first published January 1st 2010)
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**A review copy kindly forwarded by blogadda in exchange for an honest review**
Chanakya's Chant is not one but two similarly-themed novels, spanning across two different timelines, combined into one thrilling roller-coaster ride that you are bound to enjoy throughout.
The first story follows the machinations of the ingenious Brahmin Chanakya, who mentors a young Chandragupta Maurya, right from childhood into finally ascending the throne of Magadh, the most powerful kingdom in ancient India. The l...more
Chanakya's Chant is not one but two similarly-themed novels, spanning across two different timelines, combined into one thrilling roller-coaster ride that you are bound to enjoy throughout.
The first story follows the machinations of the ingenious Brahmin Chanakya, who mentors a young Chandragupta Maurya, right from childhood into finally ascending the throne of Magadh, the most powerful kingdom in ancient India. The l...more
And with this book, I've finished reading all of Ashwin Sanghi's works. While I do not certainly consider that as some sort of achievement, it feels good to know that you've read all the books of some author, no matter how good or bad he is.
So, coming to the immensely popular 'Chanakya's Chant', a political thriller set in two different ages - in ancient Bharat & in the present day. Sanghi exults in using the 'history repeats itself' theme in all his novels & this one is no different, al...more
So, coming to the immensely popular 'Chanakya's Chant', a political thriller set in two different ages - in ancient Bharat & in the present day. Sanghi exults in using the 'history repeats itself' theme in all his novels & this one is no different, al...more
From: Review at my blog
Chanakya’s Chant is Ashwin Sanghi’s second novel after The Rozabal Line. It revolves around the life of a Pandit who emerges as a modern day Chanakya.
The style is similar to his debut, linking modern events to those that occurred two millennia ago. We have seen this style many times, flipping between two parallel events – only here, the parallel events are from long ago.
A Pandit from Kanpur with financial banking from a merchant and manpower from a Muslim strongman manages...more
Chanakya’s Chant is Ashwin Sanghi’s second novel after The Rozabal Line. It revolves around the life of a Pandit who emerges as a modern day Chanakya.
The style is similar to his debut, linking modern events to those that occurred two millennia ago. We have seen this style many times, flipping between two parallel events – only here, the parallel events are from long ago.
A Pandit from Kanpur with financial banking from a merchant and manpower from a Muslim strongman manages...more
5 likes · like · see review
view 1 comment
"A free society is a society where it is safe to be unpopular." -- Adlai Stevenson
The quote is from this book, and there are several such quotes in the book interwoven in dialogues of characters. The book is fast paced thriller, which I liked but yet I give it three stars because I am no fan of 'Chanakya'. Chanakya stands on the opposite end of moral stands of Mahatma Gandhi who said bad means are not justified to achieve anything (good or bad). Whereas Chanakyra represents either too ordinary p...more
The quote is from this book, and there are several such quotes in the book interwoven in dialogues of characters. The book is fast paced thriller, which I liked but yet I give it three stars because I am no fan of 'Chanakya'. Chanakya stands on the opposite end of moral stands of Mahatma Gandhi who said bad means are not justified to achieve anything (good or bad). Whereas Chanakyra represents either too ordinary p...more
2 likes · like · see review
Sep 20, 2012
Nithya
rated it
1 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
i-own,
indian-authors
The book has two stories- one takes place at around 2000 years ago (about chanakya) and the other about the current politicians and the political scenario. – More or less both are same.
The current story reveals about the politicians, how they get elected, and how low they will go to get elected, etcetera. While reading this (current scenario part), I feel more like reading a newspaper than a book. Those who have the habit of reading\hearing the news daily (that too during election time) you can...more
The current story reveals about the politicians, how they get elected, and how low they will go to get elected, etcetera. While reading this (current scenario part), I feel more like reading a newspaper than a book. Those who have the habit of reading\hearing the news daily (that too during election time) you can...more
4 likes · like · see review
There can be stories we don't agree with, but the manner of story telling can make us fall in love with it and the same story can go on to remain etched in our memory for a long time. That's the beauty of 'Chanakya's Chant' and the genius of Ashwin Sanghi.
This book did to me what 'Godfather' had done a month back. As a person, there was no way that I could appreciate the 'wisdom' being propagated by either Chanakya or his modern avatar Professor Gangasagar Mishra- that ends justify the means, th...more
This book did to me what 'Godfather' had done a month back. As a person, there was no way that I could appreciate the 'wisdom' being propagated by either Chanakya or his modern avatar Professor Gangasagar Mishra- that ends justify the means, th...more
7 likes · like · see review
This is brilliant work by Ashwin Sanghi. The similarities between 360 BC and 21st century has been carefully and beautifully woven. The transition from Chanakya's time to the current time is fluent at almost all the times. The book details how Chanakya used his brain and strategies to make Chandragupta the king of Magadha. Similarly in current era, how the protagonist uses strategies to play around in politics.
But there are certain pages in between the stories, where the author has gotten into t...more
But there are certain pages in between the stories, where the author has gotten into t...more
1 like · like · see review
When i watched the video above, i expected the book to be a powerful one, not in the sense of writing, but in the strength of the main characters. I expected a lion, righteous and proud, ready to protect the defenceless, what i got instead was a fox, scheming and cunning, ready to take down everyone, including the woman he loves. I expected a king and got a minister instead. But the minister isn’t a shoddy one, he’s the kind that keeps you occupied so much that you wouldn’t want to put down the...more
1 like · like · see review
There's this Brahmin, in ancient India, who has been carrying the burden of the insult and agony of his father's gruesome murder determined to take a revenge & to give a responsible heir to undivided India. Then there's this Pandit from Kanpur, in modern India, anxious to have tryst with destiny to assume political supremacy in the country. Two different souls from two different periods weave grappling & engaging political drama which is bound to keep you glued till the finish.
'Chanakya...more
'Chanakya...more
This is second book by path breaking author Ashwin Sanghi who previously wrote The Rozabal Line. Author has mixed history with fiction and created a novel which is must read. This novel goes back and forth between current India and India around 2300 years back when Chanakya was supposed to live. And this happens among chapters while one chapter deals with current India next chapter deals with India 2300 years ago. Being a thriller every chapter ends on a high note but when you enter next chapter...more
In the usual style of Ashwin, two parallel stories run simultaneously; one is set in ancient India during the time of Chanakya (although the story differs from the known history, as explained by Ashwin in beginning) another in late 20th century just after India got its independence.
One story tells how Chanakya got his revenge along with the (political) cleansing of India, another tells how pandit Ganga sagar mishra changed political environment in India; both the protagonists creating the a str...more
One story tells how Chanakya got his revenge along with the (political) cleansing of India, another tells how pandit Ganga sagar mishra changed political environment in India; both the protagonists creating the a str...more
While many a history student is quick to quote Machiavelli's thoughts on power, few realize how incisively Chanakya explained strategies to take and keep power many centuries earlier. So when I found a book purporting to bring his theories to today's world, I was intrigued.
Almost from the first page, I was completely enamored. The witty banter and pun-filled dialogue had me laughing so hard, I woke my husband up! The story itself, or rather, the two stories, are not particularly interesting to m...more
Almost from the first page, I was completely enamored. The witty banter and pun-filled dialogue had me laughing so hard, I woke my husband up! The story itself, or rather, the two stories, are not particularly interesting to m...more
On a rainy evening here in Bangalore, me and Naveen were sipping beer and having chicken tikka at the oasis mall, when we realized that we need to rush. I had a bus to catch at 8:30, and it was already 7:45. It would take me more than half an hour to get to the bus stand.
In spite of the rush, I could not resist getting into Shankar’s book store in the mall, for a magazine to aid while travelling. My eyes fell upon a golden color interesting looking book, and I could not help but buy it in a hurr...more
In spite of the rush, I could not resist getting into Shankar’s book store in the mall, for a magazine to aid while travelling. My eyes fell upon a golden color interesting looking book, and I could not help but buy it in a hurr...more
For a detailed review refer to : http://thereaderscosmos.blogspot.com/...
If you are wondering that in the middle of all the pile of books that begin with the word " Chanakya", are full his quotes followed by paragraphs of interpretation......well certainly this one is not! In fact someone willing to read about Chankya's life and his principles in practice being told as a story this one is a must grab.
The essence of the book lies in the fact that it is a story not only about "The Chankya" but the...more
If you are wondering that in the middle of all the pile of books that begin with the word " Chanakya", are full his quotes followed by paragraphs of interpretation......well certainly this one is not! In fact someone willing to read about Chankya's life and his principles in practice being told as a story this one is a must grab.
The essence of the book lies in the fact that it is a story not only about "The Chankya" but the...more
I believe Chanakya was the Krishna of his time, a master strategist for whom ends justified the means.
Teleserials like Chandraprakash Dwivedi's Chanakya present a sanitized version of Chanakya. So I was eager to dig the dirt on him with this novel. Frankly speaking, it turned out to be more than what I bargained for.
I was motivated to buy this book because of the awesome book trailer with the haunting chant as the background score. Watch it if you haven't already done so.
The book is a great a...more
Teleserials like Chandraprakash Dwivedi's Chanakya present a sanitized version of Chanakya. So I was eager to dig the dirt on him with this novel. Frankly speaking, it turned out to be more than what I bargained for.
I was motivated to buy this book because of the awesome book trailer with the haunting chant as the background score. Watch it if you haven't already done so.
The book is a great a...more
This is Sanghi's second novel I read, after his more recent 'The Krishna Key'. Frankly, I was disappointed. Average ratings suggested that Chanakya's Chant is better received than Krishna Key, and it was with that expectation and excitement that I purchased this. But, as I mentioned, this is disappointing.
The historical part depicting Chanakya is relatively grippier, but the modern day narrative is too contrived, naive and amateurish. The modern tale reads more like an ordinary Bollywood script...more
The historical part depicting Chanakya is relatively grippier, but the modern day narrative is too contrived, naive and amateurish. The modern tale reads more like an ordinary Bollywood script...more
5 likes · like · see review
![Qube [V³]](http://d.gr-assets.com/users/1350272874p2/11889624.jpg)
Chanakya’s Chant is a story with two parallel threads – one set in ancient Bharat, and the other in modern India. The first thread traces the life of a young boy who later becomes Chanakya, a teacher and a master strategist who played a key role in the rise of the Maurya Empire. The other thread is about the rise of another youngster who plays politics and becomes a political kingmaker in independent India. The book flits between the two threads as it moves towards a grand finale.
The first threa...more
The first threa...more
Jul 17, 2012
Akshay
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Akshay by:
Dr. Kalim Khan
CHANAKYA’S CHANT
Book Review by Akshay Lakhi
The author, Ashish Sanghi, has written an impeccably witty piece of art. The historical fiction, Chanakya’s Chant brings out the best of one’s intellect. It is a book that is split between two parallel stories. The first one dating 2300 years ago, which started with how the intellectual giant of a boy, Vishnu (Chanakya), swore to take redemption for his father’s murder and eventually it lead to him uniting Bharat along with his protégé Chandragupta. T...more
Book Review by Akshay Lakhi
The author, Ashish Sanghi, has written an impeccably witty piece of art. The historical fiction, Chanakya’s Chant brings out the best of one’s intellect. It is a book that is split between two parallel stories. The first one dating 2300 years ago, which started with how the intellectual giant of a boy, Vishnu (Chanakya), swore to take redemption for his father’s murder and eventually it lead to him uniting Bharat along with his protégé Chandragupta. T...more
Grievously disappointing- neither story feels authentic; the character development is shallow, the conversation inane, the victories too easily attained. There is also no effort to match the conversational idiom with the historical context in which the stories are supposedly set, the time lines of both the story-strands are obfuscated due to the lack of attention to details and the inconsistencies (A few examples: "Ashoka trees" are referred to in the Maurya tale for e.g., while Ashoka was Chand...more
7 likes · like · see review
I wouldn't have picked up this book if it wasn't for the title "Chanakya's Chant",that caught my attention.I had always been in awe of the great economist and politician in ancient India, also known as Kautilya.His work "Arthashastra" is one of its kind.So with that in mind,and the recommendations from the likes of Shashi Tharoor,a man of intellect, and Amish Tripathi,whose Shiva Trilogy has kept me spell-bound,made me go for this book.
Far from being a religious treatise of Chanakya,as one would...more
Far from being a religious treatise of Chanakya,as one would...more
2 likes · like · see review
The chant is mesmerizing and I must thank a very dear friend for lending it to me! What an experience....I am stunned and love the book so much that I've been recommending to everyone, even total strangers. (Poor hubby is really tired of me yakking about it :P ) Ashwin Sanghi weaves a spell-binding political saga that goes back and forth from Chanakya's time(340 BC) to the present. And you can't decide who's the better kingmaker - Chanakya or Gangasagar Mishra. It's a treat for those who love a...more
Though not an avid reader of fiction novels, I picked this up because of the persuasions of a friend. There is no regret that I listened to his advice.
The two protagonists in the two parallel running stories symbolizes the epitome of human intellect and astuteness. One rather wonders the amount of planning and shrewdness that went with the strategies that the two persons- Chanakya and the 'modern avatar' of Chanakya- adopted to meet their respective ends.
Chanakya, the founder of economics and p...more
The two protagonists in the two parallel running stories symbolizes the epitome of human intellect and astuteness. One rather wonders the amount of planning and shrewdness that went with the strategies that the two persons- Chanakya and the 'modern avatar' of Chanakya- adopted to meet their respective ends.
Chanakya, the founder of economics and p...more
1 like · like · see review
The historical part of the story- Chanakya's part- was interesting. But the contemporary portion left a bad taste in my mouth. Gangasagar reminded me too much of Toohey(from Fountainhead by Ayn Rand) to be impressed by any of his feats. But he did give me goosebumps, which was probably is in the author's favor since he managed to make the character unlikeable.
The main reason the book didn't work for me was the fact that the author could not do justice to the immensely intelligent and complex cha...more
The main reason the book didn't work for me was the fact that the author could not do justice to the immensely intelligent and complex cha...more
Starting with the wrong political map of India, this book had given me enough reasons to hate it. I wanted to stop by the time I was on 100th page but carried on just to observe how irritating this book might go. And it topped the list of the most stupid book I ever read. Businessmen of Mauryan age are shown SHAMPOOING but in reality, the process CHAMPI (etymology of shampoo has this word in centre) was evolved during Mughal reigns and term/method of Shampoo came in existence in 18th century. Ch...more
3 likes · like · see review
Divided into two parts, one set in 300bc which follows the life of the political kingmaker Chanakya and the other set in the present India about the life of the modern reincanation of the same, Chanaky Chants is a political thriller comprising greed,betrayal & sex.
The author is sucessful in describing the dramatic and glorious life of Chanakya- not a wonder since the same was done many times in the past in a better & effective manner. However, the other side of the book about the modern...more
The author is sucessful in describing the dramatic and glorious life of Chanakya- not a wonder since the same was done many times in the past in a better & effective manner. However, the other side of the book about the modern...more
1 like · like · see review
If you, like me, love to read about Indian History and politics, then this is the book for you. A perfect blend of Indian History with modern day politics but there are instances in the novel specially in the "present day" part of the novel, where Mr. Ashwin Sanghi seems to be inspired from some bollywood movies presenting Gangasagar(protagonist) as God (whatever he thinks is right and everyone else is a fool). Except this, book is filled with great one liners and great ideas like the one in whi...more
1 like · like · see review
I picked up this book as I am fan of political intelligence of Chanakya and I always pick up books stating stories of his intelligence.
But this book was a disappointment as there was nothing new about him and to great extent his decisions/strategies were not explained or discussed to make reader really appreciate his motives. In fact, it ended up giving me idea that he was very much dishonest and could go to any extent to achieve his goals!! I am really not sure if that was the case or he was re...more
But this book was a disappointment as there was nothing new about him and to great extent his decisions/strategies were not explained or discussed to make reader really appreciate his motives. In fact, it ended up giving me idea that he was very much dishonest and could go to any extent to achieve his goals!! I am really not sure if that was the case or he was re...more
Ashwin Sanghi's second book in the history-fiction genre after The Rozabal Line. The book follows two narratives, one 2300 years in the past - following the lives of Chanakya and his protege Chandragupta Maurya, drawing heavily from actual history, and the other, a modern day version of the same tale featuring fictional characters - Chandini Gupta and her mentor Pandit Gangasagar Mishra.
Despite the similarities in the overall plot, the difference in characters and situations ensured that I didn'...more
Despite the similarities in the overall plot, the difference in characters and situations ensured that I didn'...more
I am very disappointed with this book. I picked the book because of two reasons -
1) My interest in Chanakya
2) Positive reviews on Goodreads
But this book turns out to be a disaster. Not only the writing style is bad but also the author has spoiled such a good and promising story line so that no one else can work on it in the future.
Lines such as "He was the president of the Akhil Bhartiya Navnirman Samiti - abbreviated to ABNS by journos who could never quite remember the entire name" are very...more
1) My interest in Chanakya
2) Positive reviews on Goodreads
But this book turns out to be a disaster. Not only the writing style is bad but also the author has spoiled such a good and promising story line so that no one else can work on it in the future.
Lines such as "He was the president of the Akhil Bhartiya Navnirman Samiti - abbreviated to ABNS by journos who could never quite remember the entire name" are very...more
I picked up this book with a lot of expectations and I was happy to have invested in such a meticulous endeavour. There are two stories running in parallel, one set 2300 years ago and the other is based in the present era. The original Chanakya and the present Chanakya-like Gangasagar embark on arduous journeys to produce leaders for India, employing cunning and progressively dastardly schemes as means to their respective ends. Chanakya sees himself as the master bestowed with the duty to unite...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Is there any one context in the book that relates to current political scenario? | 13 | 111 | Apr 22, 2013 06:23am |
Ashwin Sanghi—entrepreneur by day, novelist by night—has all the usual qualifications of an Indian businessman. Schooling at the Cathedral & John Connon School, a B.A. (Economics) from St. Xavier’s College, and an M.B.A. (Finance) from the Yale School of Management. Besides being a businessman, Ashwin manages a parallel career as writer of fiction. Ashwin’s first novel, ‘The Rozabal Line’ was...more
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