Trunk Calls from Trigarta

 

The War Elephants of Trigarta by Sarita Mandanna, is part of the Bold Chronicles series which seeks to awaken a love of history and stories in gen next. Inspired by fascinating moments in India’s rich, varied and layered past as well as world history, the idea seems to be to use turbocharged storytelling skills to capture the attention of youngsters addicted to their gadgets and attendant unwillingness to engage with anything that is not a reel or an app. Despite it being an uphill task, Mandanna pulls it off with dexterity and humour to spare, providing a sumptuous treat which will serve to sow the seeds of interest in a glorious past while also offering insights towards navigating the treacherous present.

At the heart of the story is the delightful Mili, daughter of Raja Puru’s general charged with the training and upkeep of the war elephants that are the pride and joy of Trigarta. Having formed a bond with a rare white elephant, she names Nathu, Mili will go on to become an unlikely key player in the looming war spearheaded by that most unconquerable of foes, Alexander the Great, in the legendary Battle of Hydaspes. After all, as the general likes to say often with his daughter echoing the words as frequently, “Never too old, and never too young!”

Fragrant and flavourful with delicious nuggets from history and mythology, the reader is left sobered and entranced with the fate that overcame beautiful Parsa or modern day Persepolis,  a beloved anecdote about how Alexander managed to tame the feral steed – Bucephalus that would go on to become his beloved brother – in – arms, and Supratika as well as Sangram, the elephant heroes from mythology and history among others. Unlike the aforementioned pachyderms, Nathu is notoriously difficult to train and is the bane of his trainer and even the general cannot refrain from calling him a “donkey of a stubborn elephant” much to Mili’s chagrin. There is an uproariously hilarious incident featuring Nathu, a basket load of turnips consumed without permission and a protracted bout of flatulence at the most inopportune of moments. At its culmination, Mili asks the all – important question to her father, “The royal family. Do they fart – I mean, do they pass wind too?’

Given the subject matter and Alexander’s proclivity for raw savagery when thwarted even slightly, it is not all about levity, lullabies crooned to curmudgeonly creatures and the cutesy bond formed between humans and animals. Mandanna does a fine job of presenting the chaotic events from history in a youth – friendly manner without losing any of the gravitas in the narration of dark deeds that were passed off as great ones. As news of Alexander sacking yet another rebel city or hideout trickles back to Trigarta, Mili persistently asks her father, “What happened to the children in the mercenary camp, Baba?”

The danger and horrors of war are painfully real for Mili and her loved ones with Macedonia’s finest on the rampage, but her bravery is no less than those of the mighty stalwarts history remembers as she uses her own wits and resilience to make a tangible difference in a world torn apart by war and greed. This is an irresistible tale that will be gobbled up with gusto not just by younger readers but by anyone who can’t resist a ripping good yarn.

An edited version of this book review originally appeared in TNIE Magazine.