The Kaveri is eternal; it will never let us down-and we Cholas live by this adage.’

Kundavai is the daughter of the mighty Sundara Chola. She glories in the history of her dynasty and their victories in their perpetual battles for supremacy against the Cheras and Pandyas, and tries to understand the nature of power. She also constantly challenges herself-in ways discouraged by her mother, who wants her to embrace traditional feminine pursuits.

When an assassination puts her family at threat, Kundavai must discover the dark secrets that lie hidden. She is determined to protect the Chola legacy, even if that comes at the expense of sacrificing her own hopes for the future . . .


This dazzling new novel by acclaimed historian Devika Rangachari delves into the little-known story of the woman who was advisor to two of the mightiest monarchs of medieval India.