By The Tungabhadra

Saradindu Bandopadhyay

translated from Bengali by Arunava Sinha

Harper Perennial, 253 pages, ` 299

Nothing memorable has happened in the life of the Tungabhadra… Her water has never reflected the elevated turrets of mansions. Just once, for only two hundred years, did the Tungabhadra live through halcyon days.

Set on the banks of the Tungabhadra River in 15th century India, this historical novel features Bidyunmala, the princess of Kalinga, who is on her way to a marriage of political convenience with Devaraya, the king of Vijayanagar. Meanwhile, Devaraya is threatened by a treacherous brother as well as enemies preparing for war.