“Rules to Rule: Ancient History, Modern Lessons” by Prashant Anand
Increasingly the book market has many books that heark upon the past leaders and intellectuals to glean learnings from them. Not every modern reader has the time or inclination to read the original texts referenced by modern authors, so we have to assume that what is shared is authentic. Nevertheless, these anthologies are an effective way of introducing new audiences to legendary people of the past.
In Rules to Rule, the author, Prashant Anand distills timeless lessons from ancient Indian rulers into a practical guide for modern readers. It is quite simply written. There is a biography and significant achievements of the historical figure followed by a pithy analysis on what a modern reader can glean from a life well lived. The people profiled are: Chandragupta Maurya, Bindusara, Ashoka, Pushyamitra Shunga, Karikala Chola, Samudragupta, Chandragupta II, Prabhavatigupta, Kanishka, Gautamiputra Satakarni, Harshavardhana, Pulakeshin II, Narasimhavaraman I, Dantidurga, Dhruva, Amoghvarsha and Krishna III, Mayurasharma, Mithira Bhoja, Dharmapala, Rajaraja Chola and Rajendra Chola. It is an interesting mix of figures.
Here is the entry on Prabhavatigupta:
Pick up the book. Read it.
28 July 2025
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