The Great Indian Novel

The Great Indian Novel, by Shashi Tharoor, is a work of satire. It is broken into eighteen books and is based on the epic Hindu myth of Mahabharata. It also comments on the Indian Independence Movement. The myth of Mahabharata concerns two opposing factions descended from King Shantanu’s heirs: the Pandavas and the Kauravas. Both factions want to claim the throne of Hastinapur. Mahabharata can be translated into English as “Great India.”

Like many epics, this one begins with a genealogy. We learn that Dev Datta was born of Shantanu and Maharanee. Ved Vyas, the narrator, was born of Satyavati and Parashar. Dev Datta takes a vow of chastity, and one of the women Vyas sleeps with vows to take revenge against Datta.

In book two, Vyas talks about Sir Richard, who lives at Hastinapur. Sir Richard laments the spread of radicalization in Hastinapur by the regent, Ganga Datta (who is also referred to as Gangaji). Ganga Datta is also raising Dhritarashtra, Pandu, and Vidur Dharmaputra. Ganga Datta protests the suffering of his people in Motihari, where he’s arrested. Despite this, the peasants in Motihari experience a victory because of his protest.



Book three sees Sir Richard becoming livid about what happened in Motihari. Because of Ganga Datta’s protest, the rule of Hastinapur is taken over by the British. Meanwhile, Dhritarashtra marries Gandhari, and because she’s devoted to him, she covers her eyes with a blindfold so that what he can’t see, she can’t see either. Pandu joins Gangaji in his protest, while Gandhari has a daughter named Priya Duryodhani.

The people who live in Hastinapur threaten to revolt after the British Presidency of Marabar takes over in book four. Sir Richard’s actions escalate tensions, leading to a massacre that claims about 400 lives and injures another thousand. Dhritarashtra heads the Kaurava Party, organized by Pandu.

In book five, an epidemic strikes Calcutta, and a woman named Sarah Moore convinces the jute mill manager—her brother—to give his workers a bonus. When the workers refuse to give up that bonus they are locked out. Gangaji starts his first hunger strike in protest and the Mill Owners’ Association caves at the direction of the British Raj.



Book six begins with Dhritarashtra and Pandu in disagreement. They both want independence for India, but Pandu wants to take a harder approach than Dhritarashtra and Gangaji do. The British host a Round Table Conference, which Gangaji attends, and which prompts him to lead the Great Mango March in protest of a tax on mangoes. Pandu leaves the Kaurava Party. The Great Mango March is called off by Gangaji after violence erupts in Chaurasta.

In book seven, Ved Vyas discusses how the policies enforced by British rule divide the Indian people. He also discusses the effect of the formation of the Muslim Group, which is led by Gaga Shah, who eventually offers leadership of the group to Karna, son of Kunti and Hyperion Helios. Indra Deva becomes a lawyer and member of the Kaurava Party.

Book eight begins with Priya Duryodhani and the five Pandavas. Priya tries to kill her cousin, Bhim. Meanwhile, Pandu wants to be president of the Kaurava Party, and Dhritarashtra is afraid Pandu will win the vote. Gangaji tells Dhritarashtra to step down so that an untouchable can run against Pandu. This way, if Pandu wins, Dhritarashtra will not have been defeated.



Pandu wins the election in book nine, but he resigns after a vote of no confidence following disagreements between himself and Gangaji. Pandu starts the Onward Organization, or OO. In this role, he joins forces with the Nazis and Japanese to fight the British in Burma. Pandu dies of a heart attack after he tries to have sex.

In book ten, Karna seeks power with the help of the Kaurava Party but the attempt fails. World War II breaks out, and Sir Richard and the viceroy must decide what to do in response. Sir Richard wants the viceroy to go to war against Germany. This declaration of war, made without consulting any other elected governments, leads to a mass resignation by members of the Kaurava Party. In the vacuum created by this event, he Muslim Group is able to take over the government in three provinces. After the war ends, the Kaurava Party regains some power, but not enough to unseat the Muslim Group and the British punish those who sided with the Nazis. Dhritarashtra’s wife, Gandhari the Grim, dies.

Lord Drewpad announces that the British intend to withdraw from India in book eleven. This is supposed to take place on August 15, 1947. Dhritarashtra and the Kauravas agree that India will be partitioned. Dhritarashtra has an affair with Lady Drewpad, and after India gains her independence, Gangaji is assassinated.



In the twelfth book, Dhritarashtra becomes prime minister of India and continues his affair with Lady Drewpad. They have a daughter together, who is given up for adoption. Her name is Draupadi Mokrasi. Meanwhile, Karna becomes the governor-general of Karnistan.

Book thirteen sees the Pandavas becoming more and more popular, and Dhritarashtra is concerned. Priya Duryodhani schemes to undermine and destroy the Pandavas. They go into hiding in Varanavata. Karna dies at the end of this book.

In book fourteen, Priya Duryodhani is still trying to kill the Pandavas, who travel around India to stand up for the underdogs of the country. Dhritarashtra annexes Comea, a Portuguese colony. In retaliation, the Chakars annex part of India’s territory. Dhritarashtra dies of embarrassment.



Book fifteen sees the election of a new prime minister: Shishu Pal. Karnistan attacks, so Shishu Pal launches a counterstrike, which is successful, but he dies after a ceasefire. Priya Duryodhani is appointed in his place after Ved Vyas convinces the Working Committee to do so.

In book sixteen, a deputy prime minister is elected, but Priya Duryodhani refuses to work with him so he resigns. The banks are nationalized, taking away money from former princes. After an election, fought between Ved Vyas and Ekalavya (Priya Duryodhani’s candidate), Ekalavya wins and Priya Duryodhani splits the Kaurava Party. She wins against Karnistan, but she becomes a more oppressive ruler.

In book seventeen, Priya Duryodhani is convicted of electoral misconduct. She assumes dictatorial powers and arrests her opponents.



In the eighteenth and final book, The People’s Front defeats the Kaurava Party in elections. Even though Priya Duryodhani isn’t prime minister anymore, she’s gathering political strength again. She gains power after another election following the fall of the government.