The Mahabharata story is removed from its mythological elements and the whole theme and characters are placed in the historical time of 12th century B.C in India. Bhyrappa spent five years in researching the social, economic and cultural details of the period.

    Indeed, authors from Kipling to Masters have treated this struggle as the epitome of this competition between nations. But as John Keay shows in this fascinating and readable account of an exciting period in colonial India, the real characters in this drama were more than a match for their fictional counterparts. With humor, sympathy, and admiration of this small group of intelligence agents, Keay describes the activities that had such far-reaching repercussions in the region. Through extensive research and his own intimate knowledge of the terrain, Keay sheds new light on the once top secret geographical discoveries made by these men, discoveries they were prevented from publishing during their lifetimes. A fresh look at a little-known aspect of political intrigue, this is the first narrative account of Himalayan exploration set against the backdrop of espionage and military brinkmanship.

    EXCERPT:I've written this book to remind me of all the horrible things that have happened over the last year. Not as I'll need reminding. I can practically see them tattooed on my forehead. One thing I have learnt is that it's a good job elephants never forget because it looks as if they're the only ones in the entire world with any memory at all. Everybody at our house seemed to have forgotten me by the time I'd got one foot over the front doorstep. When I woke up this morning, I laid and stared at our Lucy, waiting for her to open her eyes and say, "Hello, dear little sister!" She woke up, looks straight at me, and goes, "Aagh! Who're you?" I told her who I was and then she leaned over and prodded our Rose in the back. '"Ere," she says. "Do you know who this long, thin lass is in our bed?" Our Rose turns over, opens one eye, looks at me and says, "Never seen her in my life."She thinks she's so funny. Next time I have to go away from home, I'm going to make a graven image of myself like it says in the bible and stick it on top of the wireless in the front room with my name written right across it. At least then they'll know I've been.Or they could read this book.

    

    Written during his acting career, sometime in the late 60s.