A century after Ashoka’s Kalinga massacre, a mysterious stranger comes to the Kalinga capital just as the gates are about to shut for the night. He looks distinguished but is rustically dressed and smells of sweat. Gradually his identity is revealed as Rudravarman, a Kshatriya, who wants to take service in the royal court of  King Mahameghavahana Kharavela. Having lived in Andhra for years with his parents who moved there, his wishes to return to the land of his birth.

Brijesh Singh spins a story of intrigue and the espionage and counter espionage found in royal courts and the cross kingdom rivalries of the time. There was obviously no detailed information to be found about everyday life in those times but Singh makes the best of the information stored in the sacred texts about rajgurus and principles of dharma and adharma. Rudravarman becomes a trusted associate of the king after foiling an assassination attempt and almost dying of poison himself. Singh documents the various assignments on which Rudravarman is sent with his ‘team’ of aides which involve getting to the bottom of a counterfeit fraud and plotting a strategy to defeat would-be assassins.

Rudravarman turns out to be a polymath of sorts who can turn his mind to solving all kinds of problems. Given the author’s background it is only too likely that he understands the political machinations that go on in the corridors of power which is why he turns his hand to thrillers. He adds a wealth of detail about sandalwood paste anointed bows and elephants being turned out for war as well as the Sanskrit names of pearls that are being traded. There is an assortment of guilds and a vice supervisor who is a beautiful woman which one might find surprising – though unsurprisingly she captures Rudravarman’s heart. There are graphic punishments shown, vaid wisdom and outbursts of rich description, though barring referring to Rudravarman as a handsome man he is not grounded in the reader’s imagination except by his skills.

Depth where the characters are concerned is possibly unnecessary – Singh defines them by their actions which are typical of the roles they inhabit.

The issue is will Rudravarma survive with those massed against him in the underbelly of court politics? And what is his background in reality. The language is simple which makes for easy reading. Even though the pace of this thriller is slow, those who enjoy historical fiction with a touch of Chanakya and dollops of apsara glamour will delve into this book.