In Defence of the Realm

Campfire, a Delhi based comics’ publisher, has built up an impressive English language backlist featuring retellings of European classic adventure and Indian myth and legend, perhaps reflecting the two streams of influence in Indian graphic novel publishing. Its high production values have meant that, courtesy of Random House, its titles are distributed outside the subcontinent, and this title marks a new departure: the commissioning of original stories. In Defence of the Realm is the work of an authority on the ancient Indus Valley civilisation of the Harappans and integrated into the story are fact and conjecture based on archaeological excavation. Sometimes this jars a little and interrupts the flow of the narrative but, for the most part, it’s cleverly woven in, as when the prince at the centre of the story, sensibly thinking how he might increase the wealth of his own kingdom, marvels at the wealth and trading links of the realms he is visiting. And there is not enough archaeology, historical record or standing remains to restrain the imaginations of either author or illustrator. So Deshpande is able to invent the story of three Harappan realms that unite to defeat an invader through the diplomacy of the young prince. In his story’s concern with statecraft, military strategy and romance, Deshpande recalls the mood of Indian epic, although no gods here intervene in earthly matters, and Princess Kundalini is herself a redoubtable warrior. Both author and illustrator have such enthusiasm for the project that the pages are sometimes on the dense side but there is a good balance of character, intrigue and action. It’s an enjoyable introduction to the notion of the Indus Valley civilisations; and, as an epic fantasy, it’s vigorous and intelligent.