An Abridged Edition

The Mahabharata is an ancient Indian epic masterpiece that weaves together the vivid tapestry of war, human struggle and divine discourse. Two families, the Pandavas and the Kauravas, are entangled in a devastating conflict over inheritance and honour on the battlefield of Kurukshetra.

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.

Written in Sanskrit and composed in verse, the book was added to over many years and in its definitive final form, it encompasses a vast range of stories, legends and characters. Romesh C Dutt set out to create an English language edition, which would be entertaining and accessible to contemporary readers. He drew out the stories of the main incidents and characters, such as the Bhagavad Gita and Lord Krishna, and linked them with short, explanatory notes.

This edition of his masterful translation, originally published in 1898, also has an introduction by writer and translator Arshia Sattar.

Vyasa is the legendary author of The Mahabharata, Vedas and Puranas, some of the most important works in the Hindu tradition.

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.