A decision he never regretted. Recognizing her abilities, Malharrao trained the young girl in the art of statesmanship and trusted her enough to leave the administration in her hands when he went on military expeditions. Then, in a series of misfortunes, Ahilya lost her husband, father-in-law and son. The brave queen took charge and turned Malwa into a contented and prosperous kingdom. So much so that even the British, whom she opposed steadfastly, praised her as a truly great ruler.

    Little did his family realize that Soordas could often see more than anyone else. He could direct a shepherd to his lost goat and a father to his missing son. He could describe exactly how the idol of his beloved Lord Krishna was dressed in the temple each day. The Mughal emperor Akbar personally came to invite him to his court. The poet Tulsidas visited him. The powerful, the wise and the ordinary flocked to him for his all-seeing wisdom and his soul-stirring songs of devotion.

    When the conch goes missing,the man and his companions,a dog and a cat, must find it before they starve.A tyrannical king decrees that anyone who wants a favour from him, has to play chess with him. Sitting near by will be the king's cat, with seven lamps balanced on her tail. If she moves and even a drop of oil is spilt, the king will do as his opponent wants. But if the cat remains still, the person will become the king's slave! The hilarious adventures of this book, are taken from John Dorairaj's collection of folk tales.

    The mighty Cholas made it their capital in the 9th century CE, following which they increased, through conquests, the size and strength of their empire. Finally, after realizing all his military ambitions, the Chola monarch Raja Raja Chola I decided to build a great temple in Thanjavur dedicated to Lord Shiva. Thus Thanjavur became home to the majestic Brihadeeswara temple and many other shrines. Amar Chitra Katha tells the stories surrounding this ancient town and its monuments.

    The princess Lakshmana is determined to marry Krishna. Her father must ensure that during the swayamwara only Krishna will win his daughter. Sage Narada provokes Satyabhama into agreeing to give him Krishna, unless she can find something heavier than him. But all her possessions together prove to be lighter than Krishna.

    When he catches a flock of sparrows, the king sparrow promises to reward him richly if he sets the birds free. Bhola agrees and is rewarded with a cow whose dung is pure gold!A wandering sanyasi comes to a village. The richest man refuses him alms but his brother who is poor gives him food and shelter. The sanyasi gives the poor man a magic flute. But his jealous brother cannot bear to see his good fortune.In these witty folk tales from Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka, kindness and wisdom are always rewarded.

    Little did she know that he was Aniruddha, grandson of Krishna. Nor did she ever imagine that their love would lead to a fierce battle between the Yadava forces of Krishna and the demon army of Bana, aided by the wild hordes of Shiva.

    Being honest and selfless can change your destiny, says a young fawn. A friend is your most precious possession, advises a gentle crab, while loyalty is a noble swan's prized virtue. But it is courage that really helps these exceptional creatures gain freedom and respect.

    During a ride in a forest he meets and falls in love with Princess Padmavati of Kanchi. According to tradition, Purushottam Dev sweeps the chariot of Jagannath during the Car Festival. Padmavati's father is furious when he hears of this and refuses to marry his daughter to one who wields a broom. He humiliates Purushottam Dev who vows to take revenge despite his love for the princess. Padmavati despairs and is ready to end her life. But things suddenly take a turn for the better after Lord Jagannath himself assures Purushottam of his support.This Amar Chitra Katha is based on a legend from Orissa.

    Quiet, firm and dependable he won the heart of every person he met. However, it was his hot-headed brother who was heir to the throne. But no one could stand in the way of what destiny had in store for the young prince. By the strangest twists of fate, Arul ascended the throne as Raja Raja Chola and proved to be one of the greatest rulers in the history of medieval India. During his 30-year-reign the Chola empire not only became a formidable maritime power but was also a hub of art and architecture.

    Chandragupta Vikramaditya has a special place in history because he proved that the love of power is not all that is needed to create an empire. Also needed are the love of a wise w

    Bullies and misers, dreamers and the narrow-minded, all got a taste of his wit, much to the delight of readers.

    Kalidasa, the greatest of Sanskrit poets, wove a tale that caters to every reader's taste. Warring cousins, wily courtiers, jealous wives, disguised princesses, all play their part in his play, which continues to thrill centuries after it was first written.

    Sambhaji had a tough childhood. His father was too busy to look after him and his mother died when he was only two. The young Sambhaji's main support came from his grandmother. When she died, he was bereft of love and care. To make matters worse, his step-mother was campaigning to make her own son the next ruler, trying to poison Shivaji's mind against Sambhaji. This Amar Chitra Katha traces the events that led up to the coronation of this wise and just Maratha ruler.

    This Amar Chitra Katha tells some of the tales that depict Indra's bravery, his generosity and also, his occasional arrogance.