#Review: The Battle of Narnaul by Kurpreet Yadav and Madhur Rao

The Battle of Narnaul is one of those books that quietly pulls you in with the promise of an untold story—and then rewards your curiosity with far more detail than you anticipated. What impressed me most was the authors’ commitment to reconstructing the life and strategy of Rao Tula Ram, a figure who should have been far more visible in mainstream narratives of the 1857 Rebellion. The combination of military manoeuvres, political alliances, and the wider international context feels thoroughly researched without becoming intimidating.

That said, the book does lean heavily into a blow-by-blow recounting of events, which occasionally slows the momentum. There were moments when I wished the narrative paused for a breath—perhaps to explore more emotional or social dimensions of the time.

Still, the strength of the book lies in how convincingly it argues for Tula Ram’s significance, not just as a local hero but as a strategist thinking beyond borders. The writing is clear, the research meticulous, and the storytelling compelling enough to keep history enthusiasts hooked. If you enjoy accounts that bring forgotten chapters of the freedom struggle back into the spotlight, this one is definitely worth picking up.

Find the book here.