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Mastani
Until recently, history had relegated Mastani to forgotten pages as a dancing girl… a myth kept alive by lack of evidence about her true place in the Peshwa household. Daughter of Maharaj Chhatrasal of Bundelkhand, Mastani married Peshwa Baji Rao I will he has in power, but she was obscured almost to anonymity by several forces. Her life as a strategist, both on the field and at home was veiled with intrigue due to the jealousies of women in zenanas and power-hungry relatives in the Peshwai. What was Mastani’s story? Was being a true companion to the Peshwa as well as his mos6t loved wife a threat large enough to snuff her out in the pages of history? Fascinated for years by the secrecy behind her life and death, Kusum Choppra unravels the mysterious surrounding the deaths of both Peshwa Baji Rao I and his second wife. The novel explores Mastani’s royal lineage and the elegant bearing of a warrior princess caught in the political web of a changing empire.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
230 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
31 people are currently reading
326 people want to read
About the author
Kusum Choppra
9 books4 followersKusum Choppra:
What makes me a gypsy author, so to speak? Refusing to abide by genre or subject? I have not been able to pinpoint, except that a roving mind is fertile ground for imagining the lives of people. And there has been a lifetime of movement and opportunities to observe to draw from – starting from my birth in Singapore, childhood in Jakarta, Indonesia, return to India as a teenager, and of course, the nomadism of journalism.
Five novels old:
the forthcoming ALTITUDINUS: secrets, seekers, sinners that will be India's first 10 author collaborative novel,
SILVER DREAMS, India’s first romance for the elderly,
NIRBHAYA & OTHERS WHO DARED that offered hope to women for relief by thinking out of the box,
MASTANI, freeing her from the Brahmin myths of a dancing girl, and
BEYOND DIAMOND RINGS on Sindhi women's post Partition evolution.
Plus a lifetime of writing eBooks, book edits, translations, a History column, a Family Tree, blogs and newspaper stories – all milestones of my writing life.
For almost three decades, newspaper stories, both mundane and pathbreaking, appeared regularly in Rajasthan Patrika, The Week, Maharashtra Times, ocassionally Hindustan Times, Sakal, Deccan Herald, Current, Freedom First and www.boloji.com -- political, social and socio-economic.
Then I crash landed into creative writing, starting with short stories, then longer ones, and finally novels.
Now it is time for curating all that mental tumult into fiction bites that raise issues, personal and public, social and cultural, using empathy, logic, history and language skills to study and write fiction.
I often explore the internal confusion and conversations women have to know what is going around them, that Ismat Chugtai did; for tilting with patriarchal windmills remains a hobby. A woman’s point of view, empathy in examining issues logically and verbal emoting characterize my writing, I am told.
Obviously all those journalistic skills and practice, plus other interests offer their palette of hues and experiences that populate the writing of path breaking books, that carve out new territory each time – whether it concerns the elderly, the stalked and the gang-raped, an abused Princess or the refugees-turned-entrepreneurs who rule in world markets.
In the latest, a collaborative work is an experiment in bringing ten creative minds to work together to produce a single work, a romantic thriller with intriguing subplots.
What makes me a gypsy author, so to speak? Refusing to abide by genre or subject? I have not been able to pinpoint, except that a roving mind is fertile ground for imagining the lives of people. And there has been a lifetime of movement and opportunities to observe to draw from – starting from my birth in Singapore, childhood in Jakarta, Indonesia, return to India as a teenager, and of course, the nomadism of journalism.
Five novels old:
the forthcoming ALTITUDINUS: secrets, seekers, sinners that will be India's first 10 author collaborative novel,
SILVER DREAMS, India’s first romance for the elderly,
NIRBHAYA & OTHERS WHO DARED that offered hope to women for relief by thinking out of the box,
MASTANI, freeing her from the Brahmin myths of a dancing girl, and
BEYOND DIAMOND RINGS on Sindhi women's post Partition evolution.
Plus a lifetime of writing eBooks, book edits, translations, a History column, a Family Tree, blogs and newspaper stories – all milestones of my writing life.
For almost three decades, newspaper stories, both mundane and pathbreaking, appeared regularly in Rajasthan Patrika, The Week, Maharashtra Times, ocassionally Hindustan Times, Sakal, Deccan Herald, Current, Freedom First and www.boloji.com -- political, social and socio-economic.
Then I crash landed into creative writing, starting with short stories, then longer ones, and finally novels.
Now it is time for curating all that mental tumult into fiction bites that raise issues, personal and public, social and cultural, using empathy, logic, history and language skills to study and write fiction.
I often explore the internal confusion and conversations women have to know what is going around them, that Ismat Chugtai did; for tilting with patriarchal windmills remains a hobby. A woman’s point of view, empathy in examining issues logically and verbal emoting characterize my writing, I am told.
Obviously all those journalistic skills and practice, plus other interests offer their palette of hues and experiences that populate the writing of path breaking books, that carve out new territory each time – whether it concerns the elderly, the stalked and the gang-raped, an abused Princess or the refugees-turned-entrepreneurs who rule in world markets.
In the latest, a collaborative work is an experiment in bringing ten creative minds to work together to produce a single work, a romantic thriller with intriguing subplots.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
February 11, 2016
A well researched narration of the story of Baji Rao Mastani. The author is candid enough to admit some historical inaccuracies. In fact, he comes up, quite unusually, with alternative scenarios about how the life of this legendary figure ended.
The character of Mastani is portrayed as an immaculate one. Absolutely faultless. However, though her husband also has a strong character, there are certain inexplicably weak facets to his personality. This leaves a huge number of unanswered questions. As Mastani languishes and suffers at the hands of Peshwa's relatives, he appears totally helpless.
All in all an interesting read.
The character of Mastani is portrayed as an immaculate one. Absolutely faultless. However, though her husband also has a strong character, there are certain inexplicably weak facets to his personality. This leaves a huge number of unanswered questions. As Mastani languishes and suffers at the hands of Peshwa's relatives, he appears totally helpless.
All in all an interesting read.
January 4, 2016
A historical love story of Mastani,daughter of Maharaj Chhatrasal of Bundelkhand and Peshwa Baji Rao,with a flavour of political scenario of that time..beautifully written by Kusum Choppra.
November 18, 2015
Worth a read!
July 13, 2016
Awesome! Want to read more about Bajirao and Mastani.
July 3, 2017
A book about a woman with great potential on the field as well as in the house hold was an exciting read. Knowing the unknown about a name which remained just a name while it shoud have been the name associated with the history of India, which would have been different,if the circumstances would have been different. A daughter of a Rajput royal and a muslim mother, Mastani was smart, beautiful,strong and bold, and well trained in battle and warfare. Being the favourite daughter of her father, jealousy was around her during her childhood days as well as after she got married to Bajirao, the Peshwa. The book is unnerving story of her strength,her positivism,her aura and none the less her sufferings after she came to Pune as a second wife of Peshwa Bajirao.
March 9, 2020
Good narrative with alternate probabilities of what could the history be like. Strong narrative with painful insights into the history. Worth the effort to revive a long forgotten personality.
January 11, 2026
Was a good read, for those who love history, it's one of the best historical fiction I have read
July 13, 2017
After watching the movie 'Bajirao Mastani' I came to know about these personalities which led a curiosity in me to know about them and the obsession about mastani drove me to read this book. This book gave me thorough insight about the maratha's lifestyle. I loved the way mastani has been portrayed in this book.
Which I really didn't like was the alternate story of mastani's death. How can nana sahib do shameful act which his family chose to ignore! Despite of mastani being a Hindu, why his son and grandsons are Muslims?
There are a lots of questions which will remain unanswered even after reading this book.
Which I really didn't like was the alternate story of mastani's death. How can nana sahib do shameful act which his family chose to ignore! Despite of mastani being a Hindu, why his son and grandsons are Muslims?
There are a lots of questions which will remain unanswered even after reading this book.
October 3, 2016
This book left me captivated through to the last page. The fact that I knew the story, had seen the movie and trolled Mastani and Rao over the internet made no difference to the amount of interest this ravishing tale of love presented. However, calling this a love story would be unfair. The movie was a love story. This book is a story of war, politics, jealousy, loyalty and betrayal, family drama, relationships, faith and then story of immortal love. My heart goes out to the brave Rao and Mastani. The alternate ending, though literally was a fantastic work, made me wince within. Was it a muddled fact or a work of fiction, perhaps we will never know. Kudos to the writer.
May 23, 2013
This book is the story of Mastani, one of the most misunderstood characters of Indian History. Most of us have either, never heard about her or have heard multiple versions of her story. Some say she was the daughter of a Sultan; some call her a dancing girl; some say she was a Sultan’s mistress. Kusum Choppra, through this book, has tried to clear all the mysteries surrounding Mastani and bring us her true story.
Read full review here: Mastani | Kusum Choppra | Book Review
Read full review here: Mastani | Kusum Choppra | Book Review
February 20, 2020
A riveting read
This was a really good book and it is well-researched with a lot of detail included about the time the romantic tale is set in. The description of the garments and food and places etc. are vivid. I could not put the book down towards the end. This book is one that those curious about Mastani’s story must read.
I enjoyed reading about Mastani in detail especially. Her deep love story with Baji Rao and the turbulence and animosity that Mastani had to navigate in his family is written with great emotion.
This was a really good book and it is well-researched with a lot of detail included about the time the romantic tale is set in. The description of the garments and food and places etc. are vivid. I could not put the book down towards the end. This book is one that those curious about Mastani’s story must read.
I enjoyed reading about Mastani in detail especially. Her deep love story with Baji Rao and the turbulence and animosity that Mastani had to navigate in his family is written with great emotion.
December 26, 2016
It is a book from Mastani's perspective. She was a significant part of history. The daughter of Maharaj Chatrasal and the second wife of Peshwa Bajirao- she was a newsmaker and famous for her beauty and performing arts skills. But, there were many stories, rumours about her lineage, marital status. She has always been a mystery . The writer , to a large extent, succeeds in unfolding many controversies surrounding her personality.
January 25, 2016
I really enjoyed this. It's an excellent blend of history and fiction and the author was clearly passionate and knowledgeable about the subject.
It didn't effect how I thought of the book, but there are many cultural references that the reader is assumed to already know. Just a heads up.
It didn't effect how I thought of the book, but there are many cultural references that the reader is assumed to already know. Just a heads up.
February 14, 2016
Great to know about Bajirao and that period.
August 17, 2016
Writing style= tedious,boring. Facts are correctly stated but the book lacks a soul.
November 26, 2018
Sad
One of the most tragic stories to emerge from Indian history. Whilst I loved Kashibai in the movie, this novel made me dislike her.
One of the most tragic stories to emerge from Indian history. Whilst I loved Kashibai in the movie, this novel made me dislike her.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews