#Review: The Battle of Baramullah by Mallika Ravikumar

Reading The Battle for Baramulla, I was instantly struck by how history and fiction were woven together to create a narrative that felt both urgent and deeply human. The setting—Baramulla in 1947—wasn’t just a backdrop; it became a living, breathing character in itself, shaped by fear, uncertainty, and shifting loyalties. As someone who had always been fascinated by how stories captured pivotal moments in time, I found the premise gripping: what did it mean for ordinary people, especially children like Zooni, to navigate chaos when entire nations were being carved out?

What stood out was the way the beginning promised action while holding onto emotion. The mention of Maqbool Sherwani added historical authenticity, while Zooni’s uncertainty made the narrative relatable. The writing style was taut and evocative—it hinted at danger (“truckloads of tribesmen bearing grenades and guns”) but also at resilience.

For me, the most compelling aspect was how the story placed a child at the centre of such turmoil. That choice itself suggested a tone of innocence clashing with brutality, which made the story not only engaging but hauntingly memorable. It felt like a book that left me reflecting on both history and humanity long after the last page.

Find the book here.