New book retells Alexander’s story

Madhusoodan Naavalan’s debut novel, Sikandernama: Qissa-I-Sikander of Akbar is based on actual events known by Greek sources, offering readers detailed insights into the life of the conqueror. The book, which was originally written for Mughal emperor Akbar, has been “interpreted and put into a modern context” by Naavalan. 

“Akbar was in his own right a great ruler. Unlettered, but erudite, he had a vast collection of books, and lurking in there was a book about Sikander. 

“The name Sikander is a Persian rendition of the name Alexander. This novel is a work of imagination overlaid on some historical events, which attempt to create some of the magic that is conjured by the achievements of Sikander-i-Azam and the times in which he achieved so much,” Naavalan said. Sikander, who wished to unite the civilisations of Greece with Persia to create a ‘super civilisation’, was known for dismantling the superpower of that time, the ancient Persian empire. 

“The ambition instilled in him by his parents and by his teacher Aristatalis or Aristotle made him an impeccable ruler who conquered the empire. 

“His father, King Failafus or Philip was no slouch when it came to conquest. It was he who created a Maghdouniyeh or Macedonia, so powerful that Sikander was able to fulfill this ambition,” the author said.