The Battle for Baramulla is part of a series of books with stories about children living in India during India’s Freedom Struggle. It deals with the bravery shown by them at the time. Mallika Ravikumar’s book is set in Jammu and Kashmir during the year 1947. The various kingdoms existing in India at the time, had to decide whether they would join India or Pakistan, the two nations the country was to get divided into. Hari Singh, the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir, wanted to stay independent and not join either India or Pakistan. Pakistan, however, wanted J&K to join it. It encouraged the tribes in the North-West frontiers to attack J&K, together with its own troops. The attack on Baramulla took place on 22nd October 1947.
This book relates the story of a young girl, Zooni, and her friends and family, during the attack on Baramulla. It also describes the action taken by a young boy, Maqbool Sherwani, Zooni’s cousin.
Zooni, her parents, grandparents, and other relatives live in peace and harmony with the other citizens, Hindu, Sikh and Christian, who live there. Her neighbour, Gopal Kaul’s daughter, Chandra, is pregnant. Worried about the coming attack on Baramulla, her parents request Zooni’s family to shelter their daughter Chandra in their home. Chandra is expected to give birth soon and is admitted in the Christian Hospital run in the city by European nuns. Zooni stays with her to help and give her company.
The hospital was considered to be a safe place, but, to everyone’s shock, it is attacked by the invaders. Shots are fired, and hefty, bearded men are all over the hospital, looting and killing. Zooni has other worries, too. She steals out into the garden to save her pet rabbits. She succeeds in putting the rabbits back into their hutch and tries to go home. On her way back, she is forced to hide high up in the branches of a tree. From there she witnesses an unexpected, shocking sight.
What is it? What is her cousin Maqbool up to?
This exciting story about the attack on Baramulla, and the resultant suffering of its citizens is described with care and sympathy. We have read about incidents in other parts of India. Stories about Baramulla and the area around had remained untold. We are grateful to the author for providing such a vivid picture of what took place in the area.
Devika Rangachari has written tales about queens who have reigned in areas across India, ruling wisely and well. Queen of Water is about a woman who, though not actually a queen, ‘reigned’ as adviser to two great kings in South India.
The latter, Rajendra, in fact, was also a powerful monarch, who expanded his empire even further to include parts of Southeast Asia and Sri Lanka. Kundavai remained beside him, not only providing the new Chola king with valuable advice but also building temples and a hospital.
The author has described Kundavai and her life in great detail, beginning with her life as a young girl, the beloved sister of two brothers, Aditya and Arulmozhi, and her marriage to Vandiyadevan. Kundavai is bright and intelligent, and takes interest in the history of her Chola ancestors as well as in the affairs of the present rulers. Later, after the death of Sundar Chola and the passing away of her elder brother, Aditya, her uncle, aspiring to be king, takes over as the next ruler of the kingdom. It is only after his death that the younger son of King Sundara, Arulmozhi, becomes the ruler.
The author also describes the river Kaveri, around which the Chola capital was situated. In fact, the Queen of Water provides fascinating glimpses of the southern region of India, about which many of us in the North remain ignorant. With phrases and verses from Andhra Pradesh she shows her familiarity with the culture of the region. Queen of Water may be recommended as a must read for everyone interested in the history and geography of the Southern part of our country.