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Book Review: The Greatest Battle of Culture by Panigrahi Bethi

“Civilizations come and go; they conquer the earth and crumble into dust; but faith survives every desolation.”

The above quote, to an extent, defines one of the major themes of the historical novel, ‘The Greatest Battle of Culture’ written by Panigrahi Bethi. Staged against the Indus Valley civilization in the era of 1500 BC – the novel subtly but poignantly explores as how cultures, heritage, and mindset of people shape any civilization.


The novel discusses the interaction and subsequent fate of two famous civilizations that existed along the Sindhu River: Harappans and Aryans. Both existed there. However, Harappans were leading, with a system of proper irrigation, tall buildings, development, and equal rights to women. On the other side Aryans, slightly clever with tenacity, were outsiders and underdeveloped before Harappans.

Aryans claimed to be good with knowledge of Veda and Varna system. Philosophically, musically, and artistically they were abreast than the powerful but diffident Harappans. By highlighting and emphasizing their knowledge Aryans backseated Harappans, subsequently seeds of being inferior were sown in the heart and mind of Harappans.

The novel chugs ahead with optimum pace, and keeps introducing important characters from both sides. As it starts, we meet Purusha from Aryans, a warrior. He wishes to have collaboration with Harappans to learn about their ways of development in exchange of Aryans knowledge. The offer was declined.

However, the love story of Purusha and Armita, daughter of Harrappan King Baguhara revives the chances once again. But it ends in tragedy. After them both cultures arrives together but not everything goes well when the shift of generation takes place after the death of Maharudra, son of Armita…the king of Aryans.

It is a novel that deftly explores the cultural exchange and to what extent its ramifications can be seen. Yet in all senses, the story belongs to Harrappans. Through the last but powerful character Indrasen, the king of Aryans, the novel plays the victim card. ‘The Battle of Culture’ isn’t about competitions or showcasing cultural superiority rather it is about dominance of social and economical values that takes place gradually when one culture takes over another.

Aryans with the help of Harappans grew so strong that their culture was imposed on others. And an exodus took place. The story is rooted in very old civilization but it is relevant even today. As India and many countries are reeling under the influence of Western values and deeds. Well, Harappans were a different clan. They fought, survived, moved to another place and existing even today.

The author has brilliantly drawn the plot of the novel to show the nuances of cultural power. No matter what you say about any civilization’s belief, the book asserts that peace and love is the foremost aspect needed to keep any society sane and functional. In the case of Aryans, it was noted that they counterattacked everything that tried to underplay them or make them look puny. But Harappans were trapped by their straightforwardness and naivety of being honest.

Other than the facades of the Indus Valley civilization, there is much to learn and discover from this brilliantly presented novel. The book rides high on cultural narrative. If someone likes to read books on civilizations with light philosophy and fictional characters, this is a must read. Beyond the fleeting characters of the novel, lies a transcendental message for today’s civilizations that are blinded by global growth but underneath churns something else.

The book is available to buy from Amazon India.

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