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{{Short description|2022 book by Anirudh Kanisetti}}
{{Infobox book
| name = Lords of the Deccan
| image = Lords of the Deccan.jpeg
| caption =
| author = [[Anirudh Kanisetti]]
| country = India
| language = English
| series =
| release_number =
| subject = Medieval South Indian history
| genre = Non-fiction, history
| set_in =
| publisher = [[Juggernaut Books]]
| published = 2022
| media_type = Print
| pages =
| isbn =
| isbn_note =
| oclc =
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| congress =
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| notes =
| exclude_cover =
}}

'''''Lords of the Deccan''''' is a 2022 non-fiction history book by Indian public historian [[Anirudh Kanisetti]]. It explores the medieval history of South India, focusing on the [[Chalukya dynasty|Chalukya]], [[Rashtrakuta Empire|Rashtrakuta]], and [[Chola Empire|Chola]] empires, and their political, military, and cultural contributions. Published by [[Juggernaut Books]], the book was released in 2022 and received the Tata Literature Live! Book of the Year Award in the non-fiction category and the [[List of Yuva Puraskar winners for English|Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar]] for English in the same year.<ref name="Scroll2022">{{Cite web |title=Tata Literature Live! announces winners in all categories for its 2022 awards |url=https://scroll.in/article/1037397/tata-literature-live-announces-winners-in-all-categories-for-its-2022-awards |date=18 November 2022 |access-date=25 May 2025 |website=[[Scroll.in]]}}</ref><ref name="IndianExpress2023">{{Cite web |title=Sahitya Akademi announces winners of Bal Sahitya Puraskar, Yuva Puraskar |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/books-and-literature/sahitya-akademi-announces-winners-of-bal-sahitya-puraskar-yuva-puraskar-8682706/ |date=15 June 2023 |access-date=25 May 2025 |website=[[The Indian Express]]}}</ref>

== Summary ==
''Lords of the Deccan'' chronicles the history of South Indian empires from the 6th to the 12th centuries, focusing on the [[Chalukyas]], [[Rashtrakutas]], and [[Chola Empire|Cholas]].<ref name="IndiaToday2022">{{Cite web |title=Book review: Lords of the Deccan by Anirudh Kanisetti |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/leisure/story/20220411-book-review-lords-of-the-deccan-by-anirudh-kanisetti-1932285-2022-04-01 |date=1 April 2022 |access-date=25 May 2025 |website=[[India Today]]}}</ref> Written in a first-person narrative by Kanisetti, the book examines the political structures, military campaigns, and cultural developments of these empires, including their contributions to temple architecture and trade networks.<ref name="Hindu2022">{{Cite web |title=An extract from Anirudh Kanisetti's book 'Lords of the Deccan' |url=https://www.thehindu.com/books/an-extract-from-anirudh-kanisettis-book-lords-of-the-deccan/article38340167.ece |date=26 February 2022 |access-date=25 May 2025 |website=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> It highlights figures such as [[Pulakeshin II]] and the role of merchant guilds in economic systems.<ref name="Hindu2022" /> The book also addresses social issues, including the treatment of women and slaves in medieval South Indian society.<ref name="HindustanTimes2022">{{Cite web |title=Anirudh Kanisetti, author, Lords of the Deccan: I feel gleeful when I demolish binaries |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/books/anirudh-kanisetti-author-lords-of-the-deccan-i-feel-gleeful-when-i-demolish-binaries-101670250377061.html |date=22 October 2022 |access-date=25 May 2025 |website=[[Hindustan Times]]}}</ref> Kanisetti's narrative aims to integrate South India's regional history into broader Indian historical narratives, challenging North India-centric perspectives.<ref name="HindustanTimes2022" /><ref name="Scroll2021">{{Cite web |title=Most histories ignore the Deccan – a new book reminds us of the years the Deccan ruled India |url=https://scroll.in/article/1016977/most-histories-ignore-the-deccan-a-new-book-reminds-us-of-the-years-the-deccan-ruled-india |date=5 February 2022 |access-date=25 May 2025 |website=[[Scroll.in]]}}</ref>

== Development and release ==
The idea for ''Lords of the Deccan'' emerged from Kanisetti's work as a public historian, aiming to make South Indian history accessible to a broader audience.<ref name="NewIndianExpress2022">{{Cite web |title=Author Anirudh Kanisetti narrates south side story |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/hyderabad/2022/Nov/19/author-anirudh-kanisetti-narrates-south-side-story-2519677.html |date=19 November 2022 |access-date=25 May 2025 |website=[[The New Indian Express]]}}</ref> Kanisetti spent four years researching, editing, and fact-checking the book, drawing on historical records and archaeological evidence.<ref name="NewIndianExpress2022" /> The book was published by [[Juggernaut Books]] in 2022.<ref name="IndiaToday2022" /> A Telugu-language series adaptation was announced by actor [[Rana Daggubati]] at Comic-Con USA in July 2023.<ref name="Hindu2023">{{Cite web |title=Rana Daggubati announces Telugu series 'Lords of the Deccan' at Comic-Con USA |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/rana-daggubati-announces-telugu-series-lords-of-the-deccan-at-comic-con-usa/article67097827.ece |date=30 July 2023 |access-date=25 May 2025 |website=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>

== Critical reception ==
Critical reviews of ''Lords of the Deccan'' were generally positive. The book was praised for its engaging narrative and focus on the understudied Deccan region.<ref name="IndiaToday2022" /><ref name="Telegraph2022">{{Cite web |title=Lords of the Deccan by Anirudh Kanisetti |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/my-kolkata/try-this/read/lords-of-the-deccan-by-anirudh-kanisetti/cid/1850096 |date=28 January 2022 |access-date=25 May 2025 |website=[[The Telegraph India]]}}</ref> A review in ''[[India Today]]'' noted its accessibility and vivid storytelling, calling it a valuable contribution to Indian historical literature.<ref name="IndiaToday2022" /> ''[[Business Standard]]'' commended Kanisetti for challenging conventional historical narratives by highlighting South India's contributions.<ref name="BusinessStandard2022">{{Cite web |title=A southern perspective of Indian history |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/beyond-business/a-southern-perspective-of-indian-history-122041501050_1.html |date=15 April 2022 |access-date=25 May 2025 |website=[[Business Standard]]}}</ref> ''[[The Telegraph India]]'' described it as a compelling read that brings lesser-known histories to life.<ref name="Telegraph2022" />
''[[Frontline (magazine)|Frontline]]'' highlighted how he brought the audience's attention towards the Deccan, which is often ignored in historical discussions.<ref name="Frontline2022">{{Cite web |title=Book review: 'Lords of the Deccan' by Anirudh Kanisetti – The South writes back |url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/books/book-review-lords-of-the-deccan-by-anirudh-kanisetti-the-south-writes-back/article65982358.ece |date=25 November 2022 |access-date=25 May 2025 |website=[[Frontline (magazine)|Frontline]]}}</ref> However, some reviews were critical. A review in ''[[Loksatta]]'' praised the book's research but suggested it could have been more concise in parts where the architect's name could've been mentioned.<ref name="Loksatta2022">{{Cite web |title=Book review: Lords of the Deccan by Anirudh Kanisetti – Book about history of South India |url=https://www.loksatta.com/sampadkiya/columns/book-review-lords-of-the-deccan-by-anirudh-kanisetti-book-about-history-of-south-india-zws-70-3412506/ |date=15 April 2022 |access-date=25 May 2025 |website=[[Loksatta]]}}</ref>

== References ==

{{reflist}}

== External links ==
*{{Google books|6pnmzgEACAAJ|Lords of the Deccan}}

[[Category:2022 non-fiction books]]
[[Category:Indian history books]]
[[Category:Juggernaut Books books]]

Lords of the Deccan - Revision history

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