A princess who inspired a cowherd to become a great poet. A king so generous he sacrificed himself to feed a bird. A prince born with four arms and a third eye. A queen skilled beyond compare in warfare. Awe-inspiring fighters, feisty leaders, exemplary friends, mighty monarchs, expert cooks and super-strong sleepyheads... Who were these multifaceted rulers who stood out among the hundreds in the lore of our land? From Shibi Chakravarthy to Bhoja, from Vidyottama to Meenakshi, from Yudhisthira to Nahusha, and from Shishupala to Nala – what was extraordinary about them and their times? In over 15 fascinating stories, this charmingly illustrated book takes you to the kingdoms, courts, palaces and battlefields of glorious royals, who shaped our values and made their place forever in our epics and legends.About the Author Sudha Madhavan is an artist, a travel writer and a children's writer based in Bengaluru. She studied English Literature and Education at Isabella Thoburn College and Lucknow University respectively. She has been an educator and consultant with leading NGOs, such as MAYA (Movement for Alternatives and Youth Awareness), a social transformation and livelihood development initiative involved in building a network of artisans, workers and micro-entrepreneurs, as well as Shishu Mandir, a children's welfare institution founded by Hella Mundhra. Sudha has worked with young people and women's self-help groups, involving herself in counselling and fundraising as well. She has also been a freelance journalist, having been published in media such as the Deccan Herald and The Hindu.