An Abridged Edition

The Ramayana tells the story of Rama, hero, prince and incarnation of the god Vishnu. It’s an epic work whose influence and popularity spreads across cultures and continents. Originally written in Sanskrit by the poet Valmiki, this is an abridged version translated into English by Romesh C Dutt with an introduction by translator and writer, Arshia Sattar.

Part of the Macmillan Collector’s Library; a series of stunning, pocket-sized classics bound in real cloth with gold foiled edges and ribbon markers. These beautiful books make perfect gifts or a treat for any book lover.

Rama, cast into exile, sets out on a quest to rescue his beloved wife Sita from the clutches of the demon king Ravana. Alongside his brother Lakshmana, loyal friends and an army of monkeys led by the devoted Hanuman, Rama’s incredible journey is a tale of courage, loyalty, and the triumph of good over evil.

Set in a world where the divine and the earthly intertwine, The Ramayana is a rich and thrilling tapestry of myth, morality, and devotion.

Valmiki was a revered sage who wrote the epic poem The Ramayana depicting the story of Lord Rama. He was acclaimed as the first poet of India.

Romesh C Dutt was born in 1848. He completed his university studies in Kolkata, then, unbeknownst to his family, he travelled to England to study at University College London where he passed his Indian Civil Service exams. He enjoyed a long and distinguished career in the Civil Service. Dutt wrote extensively in both Bengali and in English. He is remembered for two non fiction books, The Economic History of India and India in the Victorian Age. He also translated into verse and crafted abridged editions of the two great Indian epics, The Ramayana and The Mahabharata.