Manoshi Sinha begins the book ' Saffron Swords ' by dedicating the book to Harikiran Vadlamani, the energy behind INDICA and her mother in law Sudha Verma, Author Saiswaroopa Iyer who were the first to advise her to compile the stories of the unsung warriors of India into a book. The book has been published by Garuda Prakashan Private Limited and Major General ( Dr ) G.D.Bakshi has rendered a detailed Foreword.
Saffron Swords is a book which contains short stories of fighters who had stood against invaders. The author has chronicled stories of bravery across the country. Manoshi, the author has included a number of sagas from the North Eastern part of India. The reader will kind of understand the details pertaining to the annexation of the region by the British. Not Many Indians are aware of the role of the Ahoms and this book is an oppourtunity to know more about them.
Circa 1824 - June 24, is the day when Chain Singh and his faithful dog Sheru were martyred. Chain Singh used to wear two swords. Maddock, the in charge of the British cantonment wanted to know the reason and pat came the reply, " One of the swords is for cutting down the throats of those Indians who prove to be traitors and the second is for severing the heads of the Britishers who are treacherous." It was the year 1824. There were uprisings against the British across the country. James Grant in his book ' Cassell's Illustrated History of India ' has given a detailed description about the war of Independence in 1824. It was at this time that Chain Singh, the prince of Narsinghgarh secretly held meetings with the rulers of Indian states in order to strategize a method for driving the British out of India. Srikrishna Sarala, the author of Indian Revolutionaries - A Comprehensive Study 1757 - 1961 has also written about the fight between Chain Singh and the British. The dog Sheru had injured many British officers before getting martyred states the author.
Manoshi Sinha begins the book ' Saffron Swords ' by dedicating the book to Harikiran Vadlamani , the energy behind INDICA and her mother in law Sudha Verma, Author Saiswaroopa Iyer who were the first to advise her to compile the stories of the unsung warriors of India into a book. The book has been published by Garuda Prakashan Private Limited. Major General ( Dr ) G.D.Bakshi has rendered the Foreword for this book.
" My father Mohendra Sinha (a Vishnupriya Manipuri who lived in Assam and now lives in New Delhi ) was a theatre artist and he used to give us stories from the Ramayana, Mahabharata and other Hindu scriptures including tales of valour connected with our warrior ancestors from across the country. The stories were accompanied with beautiful expressions. This motivated me to explore the less explored aspects of our ancient land. I began to explore medieval era temples and forts which were in need of upkeep. Slowly my interest gathered a critical mass and I was fortunate to marry Yogaditya Singh Rawal. This is helped both of us to traverse the path with joy and commitment. Today we are trying to write books, restore old temples and spread the good word about the forgotten heroes who had sacrificed their everything in the interest of the nation. The least we can do is - remember them for our culture , heritage and freedom has been ensured because of their patriotism, " stated Manoshi while enjoying the rasam at Annalakshmi, the traditional Indian vegetarian fine dine at Coimbatore - Tamilnadu.
INDICA, Coimbatore Chapter had invited Manoshi, the author of 8 books to launch her latest SAFFRON SWORDS at the Sri Ramakrishna College of Arts and Science for Women. The institution has been at the helm of quite a few book launches in the last few years. Swathy Rohit of the SNR Sons Trust needs to be accoladed for taking up this initiative. The event was well attended and the students were extremely attentive. A number of well meaning citizens and members of Indica graced the occasion. Dr.Pramod, the Convener of Indica addressed the gathering and the wise Prof P.Kanagasabapathi, the man behind several successful economic schemes was the Chief Guest. The good Professor is the Director of IECC ( Indian Economic and Cultural Centre ). Dr.K.Chithra, the Principal spoke to the students at length and the Head of the Department for English Dr.Anandhi has stood by the management in order to ensure the success of the event. Anupa Sreekanth, an alumnus of the college and grand daughter of eminent Coimbatorean S.N.R.Chinnaswamy Naidu, S.Jagannathan ( Member Indica ) and Aravind of ABVP ( Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad ) were seen paying rapt attention to Manoshi Sinha.
Manoshi Sinha presented the book by sharing a presentation.
She spoke about unsung heroes like Kuyili of Tamilnadu who had given up her life in the interest of the nation. The audience were taken aback when they learnt that Rampyari Gurjar, the one who had led 40000 women against Taimur and about Queen Karnavati of Gharwal who had defeated the Mughal army in 1640. The story of Nag Bhat I, a Gurjar Prathihar king, who in alliance with other rulers decimated the combined Arab army led by Emir Junaid of Sind in 738 A.D and the history of Saraswathi Rajamani, the youngest spy to work for the INA ( Indian National Army ) under Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose were narrated in a lucid manner.
" Stories of foreign aggressors has been turned into a saga of defeat by our books. The truth of the huge resistance from Indian heroes who fought and won numerous battles defending their country has not been told. These acts of bravery saved our culture from extinction. How many of us know about Shivdevi Tomar, the 16 year old Jat girl who killed 17 British soldiers during the revolt of 1857. Are we aware that Kapaya Nayaka, the Telugu chieftain reconquered Warangal from the Delhi Sultanate. Stories which ought to inspire Young Indians have been buried and let us seek them like seeking treasure. Our history books have hardly glorified these real warriors of the soil. A nation ignorant about its brave history, cannot rise up to craft a brave future. Saffron Swords, with 52 tales of valour, is a tribute to the unsung warriors of India both men and women who stood up for the country over 1300 years. This is the first one of its kind from our stable and many more will follow. I wish to continue with sort of activity for the rest of my life, " spoke Manoshi at the Sri Ramakrishna College of Arts and Science for Women. The vibrant author had presented herself in a lovely saffron coloured saree. She gets trolled in social media for having named her book as ' Saffron Swords '. However she does not appear to be bothered about it. She feels that India is an inclusive country and people are free to criticize her. However she states that she is equally free to publish her study in the interest of the patriotic citizens of the country.
Manoshi is a certified astrologer, has practical knowledge of gemology , numerology was learnt through self study and she discusses politics and Vedas with her mother in law Sudha Verma, who holds a double M.A ( Sanskrit & Hindi ). Her Ghaziabad home is more than 100 years old and she is keen to forever do research on Indic history. She is a Post Graduate in English Literature from the University of Pune and also a history researcher cum blogger. Manoshi is the Founder of 'myindiamyglory.com ' an e - magazine that features India from the past to the present with special focus on history and heritage. Her husband and the co author of the book Yogaditya Singh Rawal is a history and fitness blogger, national level competitive body builder, Mr.India 2016 ( Federation Cup Bodybuilding ) and a certified Fitness Trainer ( ISSA, USA ). He is an MCA from IMS, Ghaziabad and an LLB., Yogaditya is an ancient martial art learner and practitioner.
The husband and wife duo have been avid heritage travelers and they jointly explore historical places, ancient and medieval temples, forts etc.,
They try to save heritage and also write about the places which need attention. " My husband has learnt Sanatan Sastravidya, an ancient battlefield art from the only living Guru who lives in Germany - Guru Nidar Singh. This ancient battlefield art is simply fantastic and must be preserved in the interest of our country and its people," asserted Manoshi while regaling the attentive members of Indica with stories pregnant with heroism.
The lively chat had taken place over a tasty Indian lunch. The ebullient author speaks Vishnupriya Manipuri, Assamese, Bengali, Nepali, Hindi and English. She is the first of the five daughters of her parents and the brother is the youngest. Manoshi and Yogaditya are keen to visit and explore Tamilnadu at the earliest.
"I want this book to reach the full country. It should be read in every Indian home because it is an ancestral historical tale collection of each every Bharatiya kutumbam, " hoped Manoshi Sinha Rawal during the wonderful session at the Sri Ramakrishna College of Arts and Science for Women, Coimbatore.