IVORY THRONE Hardcover

"The Ivory Throne: Chronicles of the House of Travancore" by Manu S. Pillai is a meticulously researched and vividly rendered historical narrative that unravels two centuries of political intrigue and dynastic struggles within one of India's most prominent princely states. Beginning with Vasco da Gama's arrival in Kerala in 1498, which shattered the region's cosmopolitan fabric, the book traces the rise of Martanda Varma, who cunningly built the dominion of Travancore. The sprawling saga culminates in a captivating focus on the life of Sethu Lakshmi Bayi, the last and often forgotten queen of Travancore, offering a dramatic portrayal of her reign, the complex relationships within the royal family, and the broader historical forces at play on the eve of Indian Independence, filled with fascinating details of power contests, black magic, and opulent traditions.