Ivory Throne: The Epic Saga of the Travancore Dynasty

Amazon CustomerAmazon Customer: Haven't started reading it yet but not really happy I paid for new and recieved a stained copy.

Canada on Feb 10, 2024

Amazon Customer: South Indian history (in English) is still quite underrepresented as far as today's popular historians go. So glad that is changing now. As a Malayali, seeing a nugget from within southern history (even rarer), was nice. It gave me a glimpse into royal Kerala life, social aspects, societal pressures and mores, better understanding of the matrilineal system etc. The family tree and the use of the same names can get confusing and it takes a bit of time to familiarise yourself to the cast.

A few cons though: I did find some narrative repetitions without which that the book could've been shorter (I like big fat books - however quality matters over no. of words). There was a certain student-like moral or the lesson summarising in some/most chapter endings that felt unnecessary. However, the biggest drawback to me (and I don't know if anyone else felt it) is that even though the author says he's impartial, it's hard not to see a full scale tilt towards Lakshmi bayi. I was sympathetic towards her too but some of the descriptions of parvathi bayi, her actions and social preferences etc border on snarky or judgemental - which didn't read nice/was unfair.

India on Nov 20, 2023

EncinoDad: I really enjoyed first third which built up to the story around the last 2 Maharanis of Travancore. The historical context about the former kingdoms that make up modern Kerala are page turners. I was familiar with bits and pieces but Pillai does a great job of stitching it all together. Parts of the last quarter which deal with the Indian government's takeover of these states are also great.

I had a harder time with the family drama around the Maharanis. I understand Malayali but had trouble telling several character's apart due to similar names and boredom with the social drama. To be fair, the level of family infighting doesn't rise to the Mughal's leve. Also, the last generation of Royals seem to be smart well adjusted people who decided to live ordinary lives without much of a muss after independence.

So, if you are looking for blindings and beheadings skip this one and try some of Pillai's others.

United States on Oct 14, 2023

Pravin: I love the book ....but the make of it is poor....paid 35 bucks for a book ...and the quality of the paper isn't really great

Canada on May 21, 2022

PC: This is a very well written history of the last few rulers of Travancore .The author narrates in a gripping style , the quarrels, both petty and serious, in one of the richest royal families, and how it affected the subjects that they ruled. Ambitious members of the royal family, a dewan who considered himself to be the savior of faith and institutions, a weakened empire eager to sail away from Asia and a new independent country about to be born make an interesting cauldron. The author has done justice to the history of those tumultuous years through his very fluid writing.

United States on Aug 04, 2020

Edwin: Great book! Relevant to me!

United Kingdom on Oct 17, 2019

Amazon Customer: Gripping read. A very quaint, ancient picture that comes to life.
Even though the Maharani has been lauded for several of her virtues, the author stay true to the Maharani by making it clear she was orthodox by nature as well.

United States on Oct 04, 2019

Divakar Kaza: Ivory Throne – Chronicles of the House of Travancore : Manu S Pillai

Have you ever wondered why Kerala, tucked in the Southern most corner of India has some of the best social indices – in education, caste, gender equality and a historically superior urban infrastructure compared to the rest of the country. There in lies a tale whose genesis can be traced to the late 18th century….of a kingdom founded by the legendary Martand Varma….and Manu S Pillai, traces the history of the Travancore kingdom ( and also the related kingdoms of the Calicut Zamorins and the Cochin rulers) with a special focus on the two grand nieces of Raja Ravi Verma, the celebrated painter who put a face to the many Gods and Goddesses of the Hindu pantheon.

Manu Pillai is an remarkable writer and a great historian in the making. He was all of 25 years of age when he wrote this rather elaborate and extensively researched book. I read his second book ‘Rebel Sultans – From the Khiljis to Shivaji’ recently and ventured to his first book – notwithstanding the rather intimidating length of over 600+ pages and a font size, which is an optician’s delight.

The Ivory Throne has...

India on Feb 12, 2019

paritosh deshpande: A fascinating tale about Travancore.It sheds light on hitherto unknown facts about this enchanting region.Nevertheless,one feels sad about the unfair treatment of the regent who did do much and now completely forgotten.A must read!

United States on Aug 07, 2017

Nithya: Awesome book that stands apart from other history books!!! Kudos to the hardwork and years spent by the author Manu Pillai in putting this together!! He has made sure that the book keeps you interested just like a fiction.

United States on May 20, 2017