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Cover of The Nawab’s Tears

The Nawab’s Tears

Written by Ajit Mani

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309 pages, about 6 hours of reading

Fiction

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About this book

Professor Avaran Kuriakose specialises in the history of the Deccan. A former colleague and friend calls him to the erstwhile state of Arcot to decipher a set of clues contained in a Masonic Lodge Minutes Book and a 250 year old diary. Avaran locates a long lost family heirloom with a gory past. He is a Freemason and Knight Templar and knows his life is in danger because of his involvement in this assignment. The story has a highly readable account of the Carnatic Wars at the end of which the English East India Company emerged as a colonial power. Political discussions give an insight into some of the tensions over the hangovers of British rule, notably the English language and the Indo Anglians. There is a brief discussion on the Anglo Indians of mixed blood, most of whom have emigrated to the UK and Australia due to a sense of insecurity. Avaran’s life is endangered when he visits the medieval Gingee Fort and again when he is assaulted in a moving train by a jealous family member. A historically credible reconstruction of events attempts to explain the mysterious disappearance of the vast treasure of the Vijayanagara Empire.

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Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in The Nawab’s Tears, written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 8 hours
  • intermediate
  • mysterious
  • historical
  • adventurous

Professor Avaran Kuriakose, a distinguished historian specializing in the Deccan, is drawn into a perilous quest when a former colleague enlists his expertise to decipher clues within a Masonic Lodge Minutes Book and a 250-year-old diary. This academic pursuit quickly escalates into a dangerous hunt for a long-lost family heirloom with a dark history, intertwined with the mysterious disappearance of the vast Vijayanagara Empire treasure. As a Freemason and Knight Templar, Avaran understands the stakes, facing threats to his life while navigating a narrative rich with details of the Carnatic Wars and the rise of the English East India Company. The story also delves into the complex socio-political aftermath of British rule, exploring themes of identity among Indo-Anglians and Anglo-Indians, making it a blend of historical mystery, thriller, and cultural commentary.

“History is not merely a record of the past; it is a living entity, with echoes that reverberate through centuries, shaping our present and dictating our future.”

Key themes

The Weight of History and Legacy
The novel powerfully illustrates how past events, particularly the Carnatic Wars and the Vijayanagara Empire's treasure, continue to influence the present. It explores how historical legacies, both glorious and gory, shape individuals and nations, driving motivations and creating enduring mysteries that demand resolution.
The Pursuit of Knowledge and its Perils
Professor Avaran Kuriakose's academic quest, driven by intellectual curiosity, quickly becomes a life-threatening endeavor. This theme explores the idea that deep knowledge, especially concerning hidden histories and powerful secrets, can be dangerous, attracting both scholarly fascination and malicious opposition.
Identity and Post-Colonial Hangovers
The book delves into the complex socio-cultural landscape of post-colonial India, particularly focusing on the identities of Indo-Anglians and Anglo-Indians. It examines the lingering effects of British rule, such as the prominence of the English language and the sense of displacement or insecurity experienced by mixed-blood communities, leading to emigration.

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How does 'The Nawab’s Tears' illustrate the idea that history is not just about the past, but deeply impacts the present and future?

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