भीमसेन थापा [Bhimsen Thapa]

This book is successful in creating a complete reversal of recorded history. With thorough explanation of even the minutest details of historic-political undercurrents, the author has foregrounded the power games of the then period through authentic characters. The history written so far represents the voice of power holders, but with perfect fictionalisation of history, Shrestha has made an attempt to re-map historical constraints thereby presenting the darker side of our historical bibhuties and ‘celebrities’. A novel revolving around the story of the rise and fall of historical figure Bhimsen Thapa, this book presents a grim picture of mainstream heroes. Bhimsen Thapa is presented as an unforgiving, over ambitious and revengeful sycophant who leaves no stone unturned to capture state power. He takes advantage of every situation or person — be it a chicken-hearted king or an ambitious queen. Thapa’s obsession for power makes him eliminate his opponents in horrific ways. Instead of abolishing abominable custom of sati, and ‘caste system’ the ‘historical figure’ deliberately uses them for his advantage as a means of achieving absolute power.