The Emperor's Riddles - Revision history

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			{{Short description\|2014 novel by Satyarth Nayak}}
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	'''''The Emperor's Riddles''''' is a [[Mystery fiction\|mystery]] [[Thriller (genre)\|thriller]] [[debut novel]] by Indian author [[Satyarth Nayak]]. The novel consists of a present-day trail of cryptic riddles scattered across [[India]] that must be solved one by one to unveil an ancient Indian secret. This journey plays out in the context of an esoteric legend involving one of the most iconic Emperors of the [[history of India]]. The book was first released at the [[New Delhi World Book Fair]] in February 2014. It turned out to be a bestselling thriller<ref name="thehindu1">{{cite ~~web~~\|last=The Hindu\|title=Well Received\|url=http://www.thehindu.com/books/books-authors/well-received/article6177327.ece}}</ref><ref name="times1">{{cite ~~web~~\|last=Times of India\|title=Satyarth Decodes Mysteries of Indian History \|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/books/Satyarth-decodes-some-mysteries-of-Indian-history/articleshow/46675375.cms}}</ref> with the media calling it "a hit with young readers".<ref name="express1">{{cite web\|last=New Indian Express\|title=When His Love For Writing Took Shape\|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/education/edex/2014/12/01/When-His-Love-for-Writing-Took-Shape/article2545705.ece}}</ref>		'''''The Emperor's Riddles''''' is a [[Mystery fiction\|mystery]] [[Thriller (genre)\|thriller]] [[debut novel]] by Indian author [[Satyarth Nayak]]. The novel consists of a present-day trail of cryptic riddles scattered across [[India]] that must be solved one by one to unveil an ancient Indian secret. This journey plays out in the context of an esoteric legend involving one of the most iconic Emperors of the [[history of India]]. The book was first released at the [[New Delhi World Book Fair]] in February 2014. It turned out to be a bestselling thriller<ref name="thehindu1">{{cite news\|last=The Hindu\|title=Well Received\|website=[[The Hindu]] \|date=4 July 2014 \|url=http://www.thehindu.com/books/books-authors/well-received/article6177327.ece}}</ref><ref name="times1">{{cite news\|last=Times of India\|title=Satyarth Decodes Mysteries of Indian History \|website=[[The Times of India]] \|date=31 March 2015 \|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/books/Satyarth-decodes-some-mysteries-of-Indian-history/articleshow/46675375.cms}}</ref> with the media calling it "a hit with young readers".<ref name="express1">{{cite web\|last=New Indian Express\|title=When His Love For Writing Took Shape\|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/education/edex/2014/12/01/When-His-Love-for-Writing-Took-Shape/article2545705.ece\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151029154042/http://www.newindianexpress.com/education/edex/2014/12/01/When-His-Love-for-Writing-Took-Shape/article2545705.ece\|url-status=dead\|archive-date=29 October 2015}}</ref>

	==Plot synopsis==		==Plot synopsis==
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	The human quest for answers is the central theme of the book. The characters are on a personal quest and the final destination may or may not be as per their expectations. More than the answers, it's the pursuit itself that matters. Where one ends, another begins. The riddles in the thriller based on Indian history and mythology also become successively complicated and difficult to heighten the mystery. They also symbolize the everlasting human quest for truth.<ref name="thehindu1" />		The human quest for answers is the central theme of the book. The characters are on a personal quest and the final destination may or may not be as per their expectations. More than the answers, it's the pursuit itself that matters. Where one ends, another begins. The riddles in the thriller based on Indian history and mythology also become successively complicated and difficult to heighten the mystery. They also symbolize the everlasting human quest for truth.<ref name="thehindu1" />

	[[Buddhism]] plays an important role in the book. This is probably one of the first Indian thrillers to predominantly use Buddhist mythology, philosophy and iconography.<ref name="times1" /><ref name="thehindu2">{{cite ~~web~~\|last=The Hindu\|title=A Historical Thriller \|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/a-historical-thriller/article6488991.ece}}</ref> Structurally the book is divided into three sections titled Buddham, Dhammam and Sangham based on the concept of [[Triratna]].<ref name="thehindu1" />		[[Buddhism]] plays an important role in the book. This is probably one of the first Indian thrillers to predominantly use Buddhist mythology, philosophy and iconography.<ref name="times1" /><ref name="thehindu2">{{cite news\|last=The Hindu\|title=A Historical Thriller \|website=[[The Hindu]] \|date=10 October 2014 \|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/a-historical-thriller/article6488991.ece}}</ref> Structurally the book is divided into three sections titled Buddham, Dhammam and Sangham based on the concept of [[Triratna]].<ref name="thehindu1" />

	Ancient science and technology is also a crucial theme. The book explores the great scientific advancement made in Ancient India investigating the technological literature and artifacts believed to be far more futuristic than present day gizmos. ''The Book Geeks'' review states that "Satyarth Nayak has taken our rich ancient knowledge of science and converted it into a historical fiction".<ref>{{cite web\|last=Book Geeks\|title=The Emperor's Riddles\|url=http://www.bookgeeks.in/entries/historical-fiction/the-emperors-riddles-satyarth-nayak-book-review}}</ref>		Ancient science and technology is also a crucial theme. The book explores the great scientific advancement made in Ancient India investigating the technological literature and artifacts believed to be far more futuristic than present day gizmos. ''The Book Geeks'' review states that "Satyarth Nayak has taken our rich ancient knowledge of science and converted it into a historical fiction".<ref>{{cite web\|last=Book Geeks\|title=The Emperor's Riddles\|date=12 May 2014 \|url=http://www.bookgeeks.in/entries/historical-fiction/the-emperors-riddles-satyarth-nayak-book-review}}</ref>

	==Reception==		==Reception==

	''The Emperor's Riddles'' was met with a positive response. The book earned acclaim from other mystery writers, with [[Amish Tripathi]] calling it "a fantastic blend of myth, imagination and mystery", and [[Ashwin Sanghi]] describing it as "Intelligent, Intriguing, Imaginative, Intense". While ''[[Times of India]]'' called it a "history meets mystery",<ref name="times1" /> ''[[Hindustan Times]]'' called it "a gripping tale of intrigue" and lauded the book for its "taut narration and interesting climax".<ref>{{cite web\|last=Hindustan Times\|title=The Emperor's Riddles : A Book For Believers\|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/books/the-emperor-s-riddles-a-book-for-the-believers/article1-1218341.aspx}}{{dead link\|date=August 2021\|bot=medic}}{{cbignore\|bot=medic}}</ref> ''HT Brunch'' magazine included the book in its Summer Reading List of 2014, calling it "a celebration of our great Indian civilisation and its scientific genius" and recommending it for those who like "riddles and cool mythological references".<ref>{{cite web\|last=HT Brunch\|title=The Brunch Summer Reading List\|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/brunch-stories/the-big-brunch-summer-reading-list/article1-1226701.aspx\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527115734/http://www.hindustantimes.com/brunch-stories/the-big-brunch-summer-reading-list/article1-1226701.aspx\|url-status=dead\|archive-date=27 May 2015}}</ref> [[Yahoo]] praised the book as an "extraordinary tale of riddles".<ref>{{cite web\|last=Yahoo\|title=Many hues of myths, mysteries and history\|url=https://in.news.yahoo.com/many-hues-myths-mysteries-history-050215073.html}}</ref> ''[[The Hindu]]'' described it as a "concoction of mystery, thriller, legend"<ref name="thehindu1" /> and a "national bestseller"<ref name="thehindu2" /> while ''[[The Pioneer (Indian newspaper)\|The Pioneer]]'' lauded how "history is being explored by the new-age writers like never before".<ref>{{cite web\|last=The Pioneer\|title=Thrilled To Bits\|url=http://archive.dailypioneer.com/vivacity/2014-05-18-48261.html}}</ref> The ''[[New Indian Express]]'' declared the thriller "a hit with young readers" and said it "opened a completely different avenue for budding writers to experiment with".<ref name="express1" /> While ''[[English Vinglish]]'' director [[Gauri Shinde]] called the book "an acclaimed thriller" via [[Twitter]], the ''SpectralHues'' book review said the thriller's "shock twist towards the end makes you feel so ignorant" and that "a Christopher Nolan of the West or our very own Anurag Kashyap can pretty well give it a thought to bring The Emperor’s Riddles to life on screen".<ref name="spectral">{{cite web \|last=SpectralHues \|title=A review of The Emperor's Riddles\|url=http://www.spectralhues.com/books/book-reviews/2014/12/review-emperors-riddles/}}</ref>		''The Emperor's Riddles'' was met with a positive response. The book earned acclaim from other mystery writers, with [[Amish Tripathi]] calling it "a fantastic blend of myth, imagination and mystery", and [[Ashwin Sanghi]] describing it as "Intelligent, Intriguing, Imaginative, Intense". While ''[[Times of India]]'' called it a "history meets mystery",<ref name="times1" /> ''[[Hindustan Times]]'' called it "a gripping tale of intrigue" and lauded the book for its "taut narration and interesting climax".<ref>{{cite web\|last=Hindustan Times\|title=The Emperor's Riddles : A Book For Believers\|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/books/the-emperor-s-riddles-a-book-for-the-believers/article1-1218341.aspx}}{{dead link\|date=August 2021\|bot=medic}}{{cbignore\|bot=medic}}</ref> ''HT Brunch'' magazine included the book in its Summer Reading List of 2014, calling it "a celebration of our great Indian civilisation and its scientific genius" and recommending it for those who like "riddles and cool mythological references".<ref>{{cite web\|last=HT Brunch\|title=The Brunch Summer Reading List\|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/brunch-stories/the-big-brunch-summer-reading-list/article1-1226701.aspx\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527115734/http://www.hindustantimes.com/brunch-stories/the-big-brunch-summer-reading-list/article1-1226701.aspx\|url-status=dead\|archive-date=27 May 2015}}</ref> [[Yahoo]] praised the book as an "extraordinary tale of riddles".<ref>{{cite web\|last=Yahoo\|title=Many hues of myths, mysteries and history\|url=https://in.news.yahoo.com/many-hues-myths-mysteries-history-050215073.html}}</ref> ''[[The Hindu]]'' described it as a "concoction of mystery, thriller, legend"<ref name="thehindu1" /> and a "national bestseller"<ref name="thehindu2" /> while ''[[The Pioneer (Indian newspaper)\|The Pioneer]]'' lauded how "history is being explored by the new-age writers like never before".<ref>{{cite web\|last=The Pioneer\|title=Thrilled To Bits\|url=http://archive.dailypioneer.com/vivacity/2014-05-18-48261.html}}{{Dead link\|date=February 2026 \|bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref> The ''[[New Indian Express]]'' declared the thriller "a hit with young readers" and said it "opened a completely different avenue for budding writers to experiment with".<ref name="express1" /> While ''[[English Vinglish]]'' director [[Gauri Shinde]] called the book "an acclaimed thriller" via [[Twitter]], the ''SpectralHues'' book review said the thriller's "shock twist towards the end makes you feel so ignorant" and that "a Christopher Nolan of the West or our very own Anurag Kashyap can pretty well give it a thought to bring The Emperor’s Riddles to life on screen".<ref name="spectral">{{cite web \|last=SpectralHues \|title=A review of The Emperor's Riddles\|date=3 December 2014 \|url=http://www.spectralhues.com/books/book-reviews/2014/12/review-emperors-riddles/}}</ref>

	==Comparisons with Dan Brown==		==Comparisons with Dan Brown==
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	[[Category:2014 Indian novels]]		[[Category:2014 Indian novels]]
	[[Category:Indian mystery novels]]		[[Category:Indian mystery novels]]
	[[Category:~~Thriller~~ novels]]		[[Category:Indian thriller novels]]
	[[Category:2014 debut novels]]		[[Category:2014 debut novels]]
	[[Category:Memorials to Ashoka]]		[[Category:Memorials to Ashoka]]
	[[Category:~~Works about~~ the Maurya Empire]]		[[Category:Novels set in the Maurya Empire]]
			[[Category:Cultural depictions of Ashoka]]

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{{EngvarB|date=May 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2015}}
{{Infobox book 
| name = The Emperor's Riddles
| title_orig =
| translator =
| image = File:TheEmperorsRiddlescover.jpg
| author = [[Satyarth Nayak]]
| cover_artist = Sonali Lal
| country = [[India]]
| language = English
| genre = [[Mystery fiction|mystery]], [[Thriller (genre)|thriller]]
| publisher = Amaryllis
| release_date = February 2014
| media_type = Print (Paperback)
| pages = 406
| isbn = 9381506450
| dewey=
| congress=
}}

'''''The Emperor's Riddles''''' is a [[Mystery fiction|mystery]] [[Thriller (genre)|thriller]] [[debut novel]] by Indian author [[Satyarth Nayak]]. The novel consists of a present-day trail of cryptic riddles scattered across [[India]] that must be solved one by one to unveil an ancient Indian secret. This journey plays out in the context of an esoteric legend involving one of the most iconic Emperors of the [[history of India]]. The book was first released at the [[New Delhi World Book Fair]] in February 2014. It turned out to be a bestselling thriller<ref name="thehindu1">{{cite web|last=The Hindu|title=Well Received|url=http://www.thehindu.com/books/books-authors/well-received/article6177327.ece}}</ref><ref name="times1">{{cite web|last=Times of India|title=Satyarth Decodes Mysteries of Indian History |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/books/Satyarth-decodes-some-mysteries-of-Indian-history/articleshow/46675375.cms}}</ref> with the media calling it "a hit with young readers".<ref name="express1">{{cite web|last=New Indian Express|title=When His Love For Writing Took Shape|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/education/edex/2014/12/01/When-His-Love-for-Writing-Took-Shape/article2545705.ece}}</ref>

==Plot synopsis==

The novel opens with the bizarre murder of historian Ram Mathur at the [[Ganga]] ghat in [[Varanasi]]. As his daughter Sia, her close friend Om Patnaik, and TV producer Jasodhara investigate the killing, they find a series of cryptic riddles scattered across the country that they must crack one by one to reach a final enigma.

Meanwhile, Chief Officer Parag Suri and journalist Alia Irani are chasing the killer branded as "Scorpion" by the media due to his choice of weapon, a poisoned syringe. At the same time a holy Buddhist Bhikkhu urges his young Samanera Tathagata to make an important journey that promises to alter his life.

Parallel to this is a second storyline which tells the story of the life of a young prince in Ancient India who becomes one of the most celebrated Emperors in history, and who envisions a secret project which could affect the entire world.

==Characters==

*Om Patnaik – esoteric writer and family friend who is called upon the event of Ram Mathur's murder and joins his daughter Sia to crack the cryptic riddles and solve the mystery
*Sia Mathur – daughter of murdered historian Ram Mathur who joins Om Patnaik on the trail of riddles towards the final revelation
*Ram Mathur – historian in Sarnath and Sia's father who is brutally murdered
*Jasodhara – Television documentarian who assists Om and Sia in solving the mysterious riddles and penetrate the mystery
*Parag Suri – Chief Inspector investigating Mathur's murder and similar serial murders afoot
*Alia Irani – journalist who joins Suri in tracking the killer and solving the mystery
*Tathagata – Buddhist [[Samanera]] who walks the trail to see the 'Sights'
*Bhikkhu – the Buddhist monk who directs Tathagata
*The Emperor – the man at the heart of the legend

==Development and publication==

The idea for ''The Emperor's Riddles'' was born out of a random Internet search by Nayak after reading the [[Dan Brown]] thriller ''[[Angels & Demons]]'' to find out if there was something similarly esoteric and mysterious hidden in the [[history of India]]. The surfing yielded an obscure but fascinating conspiracy theory involving one of the greatest Emperors of ancient India. Nayak was intrigued by the Emperor's legend and the imperial secret believed to be still alive and functioning and decided to capture this story.<ref name="times1" /> The first draft took about six months and was ready in 2011. The manuscript was accepted by Red Ink Literary Agency and subsequently underwent another round of editing. Nayak received publishing offers from [[Rupa & Co.]] and Amaryllis and he eventually signed the deal with Amaryllis in 2012. The book was first released at the [[New Delhi World Book Fair]] in February 2014.<ref name="thehindu1" />

==Themes==
[[File:Satyarth with Shobha De at Bangalore Lit Fest 2014.jpg|thumb|[[Satyarth Nayak]] with Shobha De at Bangalore Lit Fest 2014]]

The human quest for answers is the central theme of the book. The characters are on a personal quest and the final destination may or may not be as per their expectations. More than the answers, it's the pursuit itself that matters. Where one ends, another begins. The riddles in the thriller based on Indian history and mythology also become successively complicated and difficult to heighten the mystery. They also symbolize the everlasting human quest for truth.<ref name="thehindu1" />

[[Buddhism]] plays an important role in the book. This is probably one of the first Indian thrillers to predominantly use Buddhist mythology, philosophy and iconography.<ref name="times1" /><ref name="thehindu2">{{cite web|last=The Hindu|title=A Historical Thriller |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/a-historical-thriller/article6488991.ece}}</ref> Structurally the book is divided into three sections titled Buddham, Dhammam and Sangham based on the concept of [[Triratna]].<ref name="thehindu1" />

Ancient science and technology is also a crucial theme. The book explores the great scientific advancement made in Ancient India investigating the technological literature and artifacts believed to be far more futuristic than present day gizmos. ''The Book Geeks'' review states that "Satyarth Nayak has taken our rich ancient knowledge of science and converted it into a historical fiction".<ref>{{cite web|last=Book Geeks|title=The Emperor's Riddles|url=http://www.bookgeeks.in/entries/historical-fiction/the-emperors-riddles-satyarth-nayak-book-review}}</ref>

==Reception==

''The Emperor's Riddles'' was met with a positive response. The book earned acclaim from other mystery writers, with [[Amish Tripathi]] calling it "a fantastic blend of myth, imagination and mystery", and [[Ashwin Sanghi]] describing it as "Intelligent, Intriguing, Imaginative, Intense". While ''[[Times of India]]'' called it a "history meets mystery",<ref name="times1" /> ''[[Hindustan Times]]'' called it "a gripping tale of intrigue" and lauded the book for its "taut narration and interesting climax".<ref>{{cite web|last=Hindustan Times|title=The Emperor's Riddles : A Book For Believers|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/books/the-emperor-s-riddles-a-book-for-the-believers/article1-1218341.aspx}}{{dead link|date=August 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> ''HT Brunch'' magazine included the book in its Summer Reading List of 2014, calling it "a celebration of our great Indian civilisation and its scientific genius" and recommending it for those who like "riddles and cool mythological references".<ref>{{cite web|last=HT Brunch|title=The Brunch Summer Reading List|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/brunch-stories/the-big-brunch-summer-reading-list/article1-1226701.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527115734/http://www.hindustantimes.com/brunch-stories/the-big-brunch-summer-reading-list/article1-1226701.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 May 2015}}</ref> [[Yahoo]] praised the book as an "extraordinary tale of riddles".<ref>{{cite web|last=Yahoo|title=Many hues of myths, mysteries and history|url=https://in.news.yahoo.com/many-hues-myths-mysteries-history-050215073.html}}</ref> ''[[The Hindu]]'' described it as a "concoction of mystery, thriller, legend"<ref name="thehindu1" /> and a "national bestseller"<ref name="thehindu2" /> while ''[[The Pioneer (Indian newspaper)|The Pioneer]]'' lauded how "history is being explored by the new-age writers like never before".<ref>{{cite web|last=The Pioneer|title=Thrilled To Bits|url=http://archive.dailypioneer.com/vivacity/2014-05-18-48261.html}}</ref> The ''[[New Indian Express]]'' declared the thriller "a hit with young readers" and said it "opened a completely different avenue for budding writers to experiment with".<ref name="express1" /> While ''[[English Vinglish]]'' director [[Gauri Shinde]] called the book "an acclaimed thriller" via [[Twitter]], the ''SpectralHues'' book review said the thriller's "shock twist towards the end makes you feel so ignorant" and that "a Christopher Nolan of the West or our very own Anurag Kashyap can pretty well give it a thought to bring The Emperor’s Riddles to life on screen".<ref name="spectral">{{cite web |last=SpectralHues |title=A review of The Emperor's Riddles|url=http://www.spectralhues.com/books/book-reviews/2014/12/review-emperors-riddles/}}</ref>

==Comparisons with Dan Brown==

Since its release, ''The Emperor's Riddles'' has been likened to the mystery novels of [[Dan Brown]].<ref name="times1" /><ref name="thehindu2" /> In an interview with ''[[Times of India]]'', Nayak stated that "the fact that the book's earning comparisons with Dan Brown is overwhelming" and "If Brown has codes, my book has riddles."<ref name="times1" />

==Film adaptation==

The novel has received an interest from a Bollywood scriptwriter to convert it into a film. Nayak has stated that he will also be collaborating on the screenplay.<ref name="thehindu1" /><ref name="times1" />

==Awards==

* Shri Award for Men Achievers (Literature) 2016<ref>{{cite web|last=Pioneer|title=Men Achievers Felicitated in the City|url=http://www.dailypioneer.com/state-editions/bhubaneswar/men-achievers-felicitated-on-fathers-day-in-city.html}}</ref>

==See also==
*''[[The Mahabharata Secret]]''
*''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fzbz1JylDI A Short Film based on Nine Unknown Men]''

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://www.facebook.com/theemperorsriddles?ref=hl ''The Emperor's Riddles'' — Official Facebook Page]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Emperor's Riddles}}
[[Category:2014 Indian novels]]
[[Category:Indian mystery novels]]
[[Category:Thriller novels]]
[[Category:2014 debut novels]]
[[Category:Memorials to Ashoka]]
[[Category:Works about the Maurya Empire]]