AUTHOR : Amish Tripathi,

OUTLINE : Set in 1900 BC in the legendary land of Meluha, a crumbling empire faces natural disasters and deadly enemies, and only the reluctant hero Shiva may rise to fulfill an ancient prophecy and vanquish evil.

My Rating – 4/5,
Pages – 436,
First Published – 01, Feb 2010,
Language – English,
Genres – Fiction, Fantasy, Mythology, Indian Literature, Historical Fiction, India, Amish, Novels, Adventure, Historical

Synopsis:

Set in 1900 BC, long before the civilization we now call the Indus Valley, the land of Meluha was a near-perfect empire built by Lord Ram, one of history’s greatest monarchs. Its Suryavanshi rulers now face unprecedented perils: the sacred Saraswati River is drying up, eastern Chandravanshi forces launch devastating attacks, and an alliance with the fearsome, ostracized Nagas threatens the empire’s very existence.

Amidst this chaos, an ancient prophecy offers a glimmer of hope: when evil reaches its peak, a hero will rise. Enter Shiva, a rugged Tibetan immigrant whose destiny is suddenly thrust upon him. Torn between duty and desire, will he embrace his role and lead the Suryavanshi people to vengeance and triumph over overwhelming evil?

This epic tale of adventure, mythology, and heroism transports readers to a vivid ancient India, where courage, love, and destiny collide in a battle for survival.

My Experience:

I’ve always been fascinated by mythology—Ramayana, Mahabharata, Nal-Damyanti, and the like—and Amish Tripathi’s Shiva Trilogy gave me exactly what I was hoping for. The story is compelling: change the names and places, and it would read as pure fiction, but with its mythological roots, it becomes a captivating drama. Across the three books, I’d rate them 4/5 stars. Despite occasional overdone connections, clichés, and character mannerisms, Amish weaves a rich and imaginative narrative on top of India’s history, geography, and religions, making this trilogy one of the finest works of English fiction from India.

While Shiva’s character sometimes felt flat, with an overuse of chillum references and vulgar slang, by the end of the third book, the essence of Mahadev shone through—his anger, his power, his presence were palpable. My initial draw to the trilogy was the Indus Valley Civilization, my favorite era. Years ago, I had planned to write a novel set around the end of that era, so the first book, set in Meluha, resonated with me intellectually and emotionally, offering vivid descriptions of India’s famed cultures.

Some may critique Amish for “Bollywoodizing” a popular god or stretching connections—like the Nagas becoming Nagaland or the Vasudevs becoming Manipur—but overall, this trilogy is a landmark in Indian English fiction. It’s inspiring a new generation of readers to explore India’s history and culture.

The Shiva Trilogy is perfect for anyone interested in India’s mythology, history, and cultural heritage. Approach it as fiction, take the “facts” with a pinch of salt, and don’t let occasional clichés or editing flaws stop you from enjoying this remarkable series.

Please do share your thoughts in below comment.