Aryavarta – the ancient Realm of the Noble. For generations, the Firstborn dynasty of scholar-sages, descendants of Vasishta Varuni and protectors of the Divine Order on earth, has dominated here. For just as long, the Angirasa family of Firewrights, weapon-makers to the kings and master inventors, has defied them. In the aftermath of the centuries-long conflict between the two orders, the once-united empire of Aryavarta lies splintered, a shadow of its former glorious self. Now, the last Secret Keeper of the Firewrights is dead, killed by a violent hand, and the battle for supreme power in the empire is about to begin. As mighty powers hurtle towards a bloody conflict, Govinda Shauri, cowherd-turned-prince and now Commander of the armies of Dwaraka, must use all his cunning to counter deception and treachery if he is to protect his people and those whom he loves. But who holds the key to the fantastic and startling knowledge of the Firewrights, which in the wrong hands will bring doom upon the empire? And does Govinda have it in him to confront the dark secrets of his past and discover the true meaning of being Arya, of being noble?

'Nothing left to fight for is nothing left to lose… Emperor Dharma Yudhisthir of the Kauravas and Empress Panchali Draupadi rule over a unified Aryavarta, an empire built for them by Govinda Shauri with the blessings of the Firstborn and by the might of those whom everyone believes long gone – the Firewrights. Now the Firewrights rise from the ashes of the past, divided as before in purpose and allegiance, and no one, it seems, can stand in the way of the chaos about to be unleashed on the land – not the Firstborn, not the kings of Aryavarta, and not Govinda Shauri. As sinister plans are put in play and treacherous alliances emerge, Aryavarta transforms into its own worst enemy. Dharma Yudhisthir gambles away his empire, the tormented empress is forced into a terrifying exile and the many nations of the realm begin to take up arms in a bid to fight, conquer and destroy each other. His every dream shattered, Govinda is left a broken man. The only way he can protect Aryavarta and the woman in whose trusted hands he had left it is by playing a dangerous game. But can he bring himself to reveal the terrible secrets that the Vyasa has protected all his life – secrets that may well destroy the Firstborn, and the Firewrights with them?'

'War is upon the realm, but is Aryavarta prepared for what it will bring? The empire that was Aryavarta fades under the shadow of doom. As a bitter struggle ensues to gain control of the divided kingdoms, both Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasa of the Firstborn and the Secret Keeper of the Firewrights watch from the wings as their own blood, their kin, savage and kill on the fields of Kurukshetra. Restraint and reason have deserted the rulers who once protected the land, and they manipulate, scheme and destroy with abandon – for victory is all that matters. At the heart of the storm stands Govinda Shauri, driven by fickle allies and failed kings to the very brink of darkness. He may well be the greatest danger Aryavarta has faced yet, for he is determined to change things forever. Reforging the forsaken realm in the fire of his apocalyptic wrath, he prepares to destroy everything he loves and make the ultimate sacrifice all for the sake of one last hope: that humanity will rise, that there will be revolution. In the spectacular, gripping episode of The Aryavarta Chronicles, Krishna Udayasankar’s recreation of the world of the Mahabharata establishes her as a storyteller of formidable power and imagination.'

'War is upon the realm, but is Aryavarta prepared for what it will bring? The empire that was Aryavarta fades under the shadow of doom. As a bitter struggle ensues to gain control of the divided kingdoms, both Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasa of the Firstborn and the Secret Keeper of the Firewrights watch from the wings as their own blood, their kin, savage and kill on the fields of Kurukshetra. Restraint and reason have deserted the rulers who once protected the land, and they manipulate, scheme and destroy with abandon – for victory is all that matters. At the heart of the storm stands Govinda Shauri, driven by fickle allies and failed kings to the very brink of darkness. He may well be the greatest danger Aryavarta has faced yet, for he is determined to change things forever. Reforging the forsaken realm in the fire of his apocalyptic wrath, he prepares to destroy everything he loves and make the ultimate sacrifice all for the sake of one last hope: that humanity will rise, that there will be revolution. In the spectacular, gripping episode of The Aryavarta Chronicles, Krishna Udayasankar’s recreation of the world of the Mahabharata establishes her as a storyteller of formidable power and imagination.'