Magadh | Hardcover

Magadh by Shrikant Verma is a landmark collection of modern Hindi poetry and the winner of the 1987 Sahitya Akademi Award. Translated into English by Rahul Soni, this acclaimed work revisits the rise and fall of ancient kingdoms and cities across the Indian subcontinent through a chorus of voices that includes rulers, ordinary people, and wandering observers. Combining historical imagination with poetic intensity, the collection reflects on power, memory, morality, and the enduring patterns of human history.

Originally published in Hindi in 1984, Magadh is regarded as one of the defining works of modern Indian poetry. Rahul Soni's translation preserves the economy, rhythm, and evocative qualities of Shrikant Verma's verse, making this influential collection accessible to contemporary English-language readers.

About This Book

Magadh presents a sequence of interconnected poems that revisit the histories of ancient kingdoms, tracing their emergence, prosperity, decline, and eventual collapse. Through multiple narrators and richly layered imagery, Shrikant Verma explores recurring themes of corruption, guilt, ignorance, ambition, and the fragility of power.

The poems move between history and reflection, using the past to illuminate enduring questions about politics, society, and human nature. Rahul Soni's translation faithfully captures the concise, allusive, and haunting style of the original Hindi text, allowing readers to appreciate one of the most significant achievements in modern Indian literature.

What You'll Discover

• An award-winning collection of modern Hindi poetry.
• Poetic reflections on ancient Indian kingdoms and cities.
• Multiple narrative voices that enrich the historical landscape.
• Themes of power, corruption, memory, and human nature.
• Rich imagery and allusive, minimalist poetic expression.
• A celebrated English translation by Rahul Soni.
• One of the defining works of contemporary Indian poetry.

Perfect For

• Readers of modern poetry.
• Students and scholars of Indian literature.
• Fans of translated literary works.
• Readers interested in history, philosophy, and political themes.

Why You'll Love This Book

Magadh offers a compelling blend of history, poetry, and philosophical reflection. Shrikant Verma's memorable verse and Rahul Soni's sensitive translation provide readers with an enduring work that continues to inspire discussions on power, civilisation, and the human condition.