Lords of the Deccan

What a fantastic history book. Not only is it about a hugely significant, but often ignored space in time and geography (Deccan in the 2nd half of the first millennium), but it is written excitingly! It's pure fact based history, but Kanisetti brings a sense of intrigue, anticipation; he builds suspense and grandeur of moments; he brings detail and color that totally transports you to the actual moment! The Chalukyas, The Rashtrakutas, The Kalyana Chalukyas, The Cholas - all in the context of globalizing trade networks from Rome, Abbasids and Tang and Song China. Those empires of India were transformational in urbanization, language, architecture, commerce! A time often missed in Indian history books on account of being south of the Vindhyas, but really, the biggest and most impactful kingdoms in all of India at their time. They continued to be the source of prestige for centuries after, enticing rulers all the way down to the 17th-18th century to associate their symbolism into their own titles, construction and language! One of my absolute favorite books on history I've ever read!

The book was very well packaged and in good condition. A great book on a subject I know little about.

I bought the Kindle edition of this book and it looks to be well written. I returned the book after finding it had no table of contents, only a very simple drop down menu, which leaves the reader without a solid footing. I really hope an editor can repair it and let readers know briefly in the description that this has been addressed. Perplexity the search engine mentioned other readers have found the same issue, otherwise I would buy it again. Post Script 11/2/25 Despite the book not having a contents page, I bought it based the the great reviews and and the hope I can move it up to five stars based on an engaging, quasi scholarly, accessible and intriguing narrative

An exciting read

A must read for anyone interested in early South Indian history. Written in an very fun and engaging manner.

The past few years have seen a much needed reassessment and new insights and aspects of Indian history. For a long time the view was blindered around the gangetic plains. Now, thanks to the likes of Dalrymple and Kanisetti we get a broader, deeper and much better researched view. Kanisetti does a great job bringing to light the stories of the Kannadiga empires and their vast reach. Your emotions rise and fall with the tides of fortune, and get a real sense of what the intrigues, battles and emotions were in these eras. Much recommended for any student of history!

Well researched and well written. However , the authors could not avoid some subjective bias . While he rightly praises the Chalukya Kings and the role of Sanskrit as a unifying force, he nevertheless indulges in some petty generalizations when dealing with the main rivals for the Deccan Powers, namely the Cholas. Nowhere is it more apparent than when he imagines how the noble Deccan rulers would have quoted lofty sentiments in Sanskrit while the Chola King would have replied with curses in Tamil. This shows his implicit bias and inability to crawl out of his casteist regional shell. At the end he laments about how no one is paying any attention to the Kannadiga rulers while movies are being made about the Cholas. In the end , all his research sounds parochial and petty given his underlying bias. He is but a product of the times and environment, unless Indian historians learn to be objective , they will inevitably get sucked into regional politics and casteist bias.

Lords of the Deccan is one of the most impressive works of narrative history I have read in recent times. Anirudh Kanisetti takes what is often a neglected period of Indian history — the rise and rule of the Chalukyas and Rashtrakutas — and brings it alive with a storyteller’s eye for detail. What makes this book stand out is the balance between rigorous research and accessible writing. Kanisetti draws upon inscriptions, literature, and archaeology, yet he never overwhelms the reader with jargon. Instead, he builds a vivid picture of Deccan society, politics, and culture, where temples were not just spiritual centers but also hubs of power and wealth. The chapters move almost like a series of interconnected stories, filled with rulers, poets, and warriors who shaped medieval South India. At times, the narrative reminded me of an epic — but one that is deeply rooted in evidence. The author does not shy away from complexities, including issues of power struggles, caste, and religion, making the book honest rather than romanticized. For readers interested in Indian history, this book is essential. It fills a huge gap in our understanding of the subcontinent between the fall of the Guptas and the rise of the Delhi Sultanate. For me, the strength of this work lies in how it makes a distant past feel immediate and relevant, and in doing so, it sets a benchmark for how popular history can be written.

Brilliant book written with passion and research. Looking forward to his next book. I hope more books are written on Pandyas and Cheras as well.

Wonderful read, deeply informative. Beautiful style.

This book is a must read. So often our knowledge of history of India is based on Maurya followed by Mughals and British - with big holes in what happened in between. A fantastic narrative of Chalukyas and the history of what defines Karnataka and South today. Very well researched and lots of information which otherwise we would never know. Can't recommend it enough.

Excellent book