Thread by @sheshapatangi1

It was around 20-22 years back, I stumbled upon a book #TheMenWhoKilledGandhi.

Being a huge admirer of God Sent Godse, I was eager to know what was inside.

And thus I got exposed to the writings of #ManoharMalgonkar.

#Punyasmaran

I’m pretty sure, most of you have never heard his name, AND YOU WILL KNOW WHY, by the time you finish reading this thread.

The Men Who Killed Gandhi’ is a painstaking journey that began in 1960 as an assignment from Life International, and it came out as a story in its

February 1968 issue.

But, by then, Malgonkar had realized that his story and the research behind it warranted a book, much more than just a magazine article. So, he sat down to enlarge the story with inputs from several sources, of which the Kapur Commission’s report

proved to be most invaluable. The edition that was finally published in 1978 was until then, perhaps the most factual account of the conspiracy that led to the assassination of Gandhi.

Here, I try to share some unknown historical incidents and also fictional writings which

came out of his pen along with his life story in brief.

Born on 12 July 1913 for a Royal Family at Karwar, Karnataka, Manohar had his schooling at Belagavi and Dharawad, graduated from Mumbai University.

An Extremely Shy Individual Who Rarely Consented for Photographs,

Manohar was once a professional big-game hunter who shot eight tigers.
(He later gave up the pursuit and became a fierce wildlife conservationist).

Later, he served in the Maratha Light Infantry, in counter-intelligence, and on the Army's General Staff during the WW-2,

rising to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel.

He later took to business and farming. He owned and operated manganese mines.

He was 46 when he wrote his first book, The Sea Hawk: Life and Battles of Kanhoji Angrey (1959) full of details of turbulent times when Maratha were at war

with Mughals.

The assertion of Kanhoji in wresting naval power from foreign hands, and his battles with Siddi and British to establish himself architect of Indian Navy during early 18th century.

The next year came Distant Drum.(1960) his army life experiences were

beautifully reflected in Distant Drum and the book laid bare the spirit of the Bharatiya soldier.

In 1960 he came with "Combat of Shadows" a thriller involving Englishman and an AngloIndian woman who wanted to be his partner for life.

The Next year in 1963, Manohar came with

"The Princes", Believe me friends, this is non fiction under reality, it tells the story of a fictional prince, the extravagance of his father & his mutual love with the subjects of his kingdom & how the integration might not have been as smooth as we all know.

Again in 1963, Manohar came with another historical account of Marathas, The Puars of Dewas Senior.

In 1964, came one of the most highly revered book “ A BEND IN THE GANGES” about Gandhi's Civil Disobedience, Congress's Blind Eye towards Common man & Ends in Partition Killings.

The novel depicts personal and national events of Bharat which occurred during the partition.

All Mangonkar’s fiction is full of passionate drama, with many melodramatic scenes of cinematic intensity. I have always wondered why no filmmaker has attempted to bring

‘The Combat of Shadows’ and ‘A Bend in the Ganges’ to life on the silver screen! These two novels are admirably suited to the medium of cinema and would make for excellent viewing in the hands of a good craftsman.

For next 6 years, he spent his life on extensive research

and also wrote columns for many newspapers including The Statesman and Deccan Herald.

In 1971, he came with 2 books
Chhatrapatis of Kolhapur and a Spy in Amber.

Chatrapati dealt with the rise and
fall of the Marathas between Chhatrapati Shivaji and Chhatrapati Shahi Maharaj,

then present Chhatrapati of Kolhapur, between that there was three centuries of history and HOW MARATHAS FELL.

The Spy in Amber is altogether a different experience, it engross you with suspense and tension, Spy in Amber is an iconic espionage thriller.

"The Devil’s Wind" came in 1972.
This historical narrative explains Manohar's absence for 6 years without any book.

It is the story of Nana Saheb, the heir of the last Peshwa, who played a leading role in the 1857 War of Independence.

It provides a sympathetic portrait of

a man whom the British portrayed as a great villain, and is based on historical sources as far as possible.

The book is written as an autobiography in which Nana Saheb describes his life in his own words.

In 1978, again after 6 year gap, Manohar Malgonkar came with Shalimar

(Made into movie starring Dharmendra) and the great historical narrative "THE MEN WHO KILLED GANDHI" which proves how Nehru tried to frame Savarkar for Gandhi's death and how Dr BhimRao Ambedkar thwarted the attempt..

Malgonkar’s book is a result of painstaking research

and from also having privileged access to many important documents and photographs related to the assassination.
The four individuals who were convicted for Gandhi’s murder completed their life sentences, and were interviewed by Malgonkar.

They revealed many details which

were never known before. Manohar also received access to the Kapur Commission.

The Men Who Killed Gandhi is considered the most historically accurate account of Gandhis assassination plot.

Manohar wrote 8 Novels and more than 50 Short Stories.

Manohar had one daughter Sunita

who passed away at at a very young age, after his wife’s death, Manohar lead a lonely life and he preferred an isolated life till his death.

Manohar joined Maa Saraswati’s feet on 14-Jun-2010 at his farm house in Joida, Karnataka.

This tribute by Khushwanth Singh is worth reading.

deccanherald.com/content/80431/…

#ForgottenLegends
#VANDEMATARAM