Books

Author: C.K. Nagaraja Rao 

Original Title: ಪಟ್ಟಮಹಾದೇವಿ ಶಾಂತಲದೇವಿ | translit. Pattamahadevi Shantaladevi 

Original Language: Kannada. Kannada is a Dravidian language with over 40 million native speakers, primarily in Southern India.

Awards and Recognitions: Moortidevi Award, Bharatiya Jnanpith (1983, its first recipient); Best Creative Literary Work, Karnataka Sahitya Akademi (1978)

Translators: Usha Rao and Shambhavi Acharya 

Editor: Anthony Zannino 

Historical Setting

• Era: Early 12th century (c. 1100–1140 CE) 
• Geography: South India—the Deccan Plateau, modern Karnataka, India, centered around the Hoysala capitals of Dorasamudra (present-day Halebidu) and Velapura (present-day Belur).

An ambitious warrior prince Bittideva battles to liberate his land from imperial incursions and carve out an independent empire. Triumphant conquests through stealth military campaigns break the vassalage; Bittideva ascends the throne, ushering in a strong Hoysala Empire as King Vishnuvardhana. 

Yet the true linchpin of his empire, his ruling equal, is his chief queen (Pattamahadevi), Shantala, a scholar in statecraft, staunch patron of the arts, and champion of religious harmony and tolerance. As the Hoysala Empire expands, royal court intrigue, the politics of succession, and religious turmoil take center stage. 

We bring this gem from Kannada literature to English readers who enjoy historical fiction, royal biographical fiction, and sagas of political statecraft.