A historical fiction novel by Sarvajeet Dinesh Chandra
About the Novel
Dhruvadevi – The Queen Who Made Chandragupta is a historical novel set against the backdrop of the Gupta Empire’s rise and the fierce resistance of the Western Saka. It weaves together political intrigue, warfare, shifting alliances, and portrayals of love, betrayal and ambition.
At its heart is Dhruvadevi who defies the constraints of her time to become the architect of a new era. Dhruvadevi’s story is both a celebration of female agency and a critical reflection on the forces that shape nations.
An epic historical thriller, Dhruvadevi’s story is both a celebration of female agency and a critical reflection on the forces that shape nations. More than just a tale of empires, the novel attempts to reimagine history through the eyes of those often left out of it: women, Sakas, Licchavis, Nagas, Buddhist Sangha etc.
The novel speaks as much to our contemporary conversations on gender, autonomy, and nationhood as it does to the ancient world it brings to life. First in a trilogy of novels, set in the Gupta era, the book is crafted for readers who crave intellectual depth, emotional intensity and thriller action.
Bio of the Author- Sarvajeet Dinesh Chandra
Sarvajeet Dinesh Chandra is a Mumbai-based business strategist and marketer whose fascination with history and storytelling was sparked by his father, a PhD in archaeology and author of books on archaeology & fiction. At school, he spent his summers in Delhi’s National Archaeological Museum & its library, engaging with seasoned archaeologists and delving into history books.
While pursuing his postgraduate studies at MICA, Sarvajeet founded the theatre group Sankalp, where he encountered Dhruvaswamini, a Hindi play by Jayshankar Prasad. The character of Dhruvadevi captivated him, planting the seeds for his debut novel.
With over 25 years as a business strategist specializing in transformation, and a postgraduate degree in marketing communications from MICA, Sarvajeet brings a distinctive lens to his storytelling. His expertise in crafting narratives for brands and his role as a change agent for businesses, honed as co-founder of two companies, infuse the novel’s themes of war, strategy, gender, and identity.His expertise in strategy and warfare informs the intricate political landscapes depicted in his writing.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, he launched the poetry podcast UNPEN and dedicated time to researching Dhruvadevi.
In this novel, Sarvajeet weaves themes of power, gender, identity, and strategy, reflecting on the forces that shape nations and individuals. He crafts stories that resonate across eras, blending historical context with current relevance. He offers readers a nuanced exploration of female agency in a transformative era, bringing heart and history to the forgotten queen who changed an empire.
With this opening book of his Gupta-era trilogy, Sarvajeet invites readers into a vivid reimagining of history, where the untold stories finally take center stage.
Please write to him on sarvajeetchandra@gmail.com
Sarvajeet D Chandra 