The Playful Past

The mere mention of ‘history’ for school children evokes a long list of dates and names to be “mugged up”. It didn’t matter if you were studying world or Indian history, scanning pages of text and squinting at grainy photos made history classes tough to love. It is, perhaps, time to look beyond school textbooks and examine Indian children’s literature to raise a child who loves history. Can history be made fun for children? Four recent books prove how that can be done.

CHILDREN’S HISTORY OF INDIA IN 100 OBJECTS by Devika Cariapa
(Puffin; 352 pages; ₹425; for readers 11-plus)

There is something so addictive about Devika Cariapa’s A Children’s History of India in 100 Objects that it makes you want to keep turning the pages to see what the next object is. There are no dates to memorise or long paragraphs to battle through in this book. Instead, Cariapa, an archaeologist with a knack for storytelling, brings the Indian subcontinent’s rich history to life through 100 fascinating objects.

Imagine a chipped stone axe whispering tales of prehistoric hunters, or a dazzling silk sari sharing stories of ancient trade routes—Cariapa has meticulously chosen objects that offer readers a glimpse into a bygone era. Information about where the object is found, its purpose during that time, and its relevance to life today engages the reader and makes them want to know more. What is truly fascinating is that she maintains a thread to the present day so we have something we can relate to, whether it is a mention of the modern name of an ancient city or the metamorphosis of a word to what it is known as today. The author deftly crosses eras and kingdoms, and keeps the reader guessing about what’s coming next.

Indus Valley seals to HMT watches, there is something for everyone to read about. The book is well researched and Cariapa’s expertise and passion for the subject shine through. The book begins with a map of India showing where each one of the 100 objects was found. It ends, more interestingly, with a list of museums and websites for the reader to visit to see the objects mentioned in the book.

The book is warm, conversational and a must-read for every child (and history-loving adult!) over the summer. It is the perfect way to get any child interested in the past, and curious about the world we live in today.

A HISTORY OF SOUTH INDIA FOR CHILDREN by Pradeep Chakravarthy (Hachette; 400  pages; ₹499; for readers 11-plus)

How much do we know about South India’s history? Most history books focus more on the Mughals and the Independence movement and less on the Cholas and Pandyas—and that is exactly what A History of South India for Children is set to change.

 Pradeep Chakravarthy begins at the Stone Age and takes readers through the Pandyas, Cheras, Cholas, right up until the Vijayanagara Empire. Chakravarthy chronicles the rich history not by chronology or dynasty but by presenting history as a subject relevant to contemporary themes such as language and literature, science and technology, and travel among others.

Written in an informal conversational tone, the book weaves snippets from different regions of the South—Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh in each chapter. Chakravarthy elaborates on how the Southern states were instrumental for colonialists and early Christian missionaries to enter India, their agenda, and how this entry gave them access to the rest of India. Readers will glimpse the political climate and understand how simple spice crops were in high demand by the West. Furthermore, we understand how daily life was during the Sangam age, the significance of temples for dynasties like Cholas and Pandyas, and the continuing contribution of the Vijayanagara dynasty to present-day life.

Young readers will find the snippets of trivia interspersed through the chapters interesting as a takeaway. A look at the history behind some common concepts discussed today—from tracing the origins of the Kohinoor diamond to the Kakatiyas; to learning that spices found in Kerala were used to flavour banquets in Rome—will keep young readers hooked and yearning to know more.

 A STAR NAMED BIBHA AND OTHER STORIES by Anwesha Sengupta, Supurna Banerjee, and Simantini Mukhopadhyay
(Harper Children’s; 200 pages; ₹499; for readers 10-plus)

A Star Named Bibha and Other Stories follows the success of an earlier book by HarperCollins India called Gutsy Girls of Science. This book, however, looks beyond women in science and shines a light on the achievements of extraordinary Indian women who defied societal norms to carve their paths. Anwesha Sengupta, Supurna Banerjee, and Simantini Mukhopadhyay bring together the stories of 30 incredible women in a collection that is sure to be treasured by young readers.

The book looks at women from various fields and shows how they pushed boundaries and worked to make the world a better place. We get a glimpse into their lives and how caste, class, religion, and families of that time impeded them from doing what they wanted to. The authors have brought together stories of women like Durgabai Kamat,
Amrita Pritam, and Fatima Beevi to highlight various stages in history and the restrictions placed by society on women back then. 

The thirty stories are written in a biographical format and celebrate the diversity of their experiences. From comedian Tun Tun to
Sudesha Devi, a leader from the Chipko movement, from architect Urmila Eulie Chowdhury to Sarla Thakral the pilot—there is a story to inspire and enthral every reader. 

If you are a parent, then you know the feeling when your child needs to dress up as a Legend for school and it is always the same list of women. But with this book, young learners will be introduced to a completely new set of trailblazing Indian women who will inspire with their truly exceptional lives.

WE, THE CITIZENS: STRENGTHENING THE INDIAN REPUBLIC by Khyati Pathak, Anupam Manur, and Pranay Kotasthane
(Penguin; 240 pages; ₹499; for readers 12-plus)

India is in the grip of a major election this summer and it is the perfect opportunity for children to understand how the government works. Civics textbooks were notorious for not simplifying concepts of what a democratic, socialist, republic is and most of us have learnt what we know about the way a government functions from watching it over the years.

We, the Citizens: Strengthening the Indian Republic is a graphic novel that breaks down complex concepts into easy-to-understand chapters. Through pertinent questions and contemporary themes, the authors and illustrators educate readers about what keeps the government functioning. Instead of simply defining the government, the book asks what democracy means for the common man, what happens when the executive functions without a safety net, and how all arms of the government function to make the life of an Indian citizen better.

The authors—a writer-cartoonist, a public policy researcher, and an economics professor simplify public policy and facilitate open dialogue between those involved. In addition to answering basic questions like why a prime minister is elected in India and not a president, the book also explains more complex concepts like the intersection of government, market, and society and what the dynamics are between the three. When is it good for the government to step in?

For readers, this book comes across as a breath of fresh air that uses pop culture to simplify complex jargon. Readers will find references to Rajinikanth, Louis XIV, Love Jihad, and a few superheroes among others as the authors explain how public policy impacts citizens in even the smallest things we do. The illustrations are simple, allowing readers to focus on the text on each page. The book moves forward as the three authors serve as omniscient narrators through the chapters, and proves to be an informative and relevant read.   n

About The Author

Rati Girish

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