The Sun Behind the Cloud is a historical-political novel which deals with the colonial conflict between Bhaskararao Bhave of Peshwa dynasty, King of Naragund and the authorities of the East India Company around 1857. In this Indian war of independence, Bhaskararao Bhave fought against the British rulers, especially against the Disarmament bill and the doctrine of lapse introduced by Lord Dalhousie. He killed Manson, the political agent of South India and enraged the British Government. But his patriotic fight was nullified as much by the ‘divide and rule’ policy of the Britishers as by betrayal by his own people. Consequently he lost his kingdom, mother and wife and escaped. Later he was arrested and ordered to be hanged to death. But the strange quirks of his fate compelled him to escape the death-sentence as one of his loyal servants offered himself to be hanged in his place thereby cheating the British authorities. He, then wandered about in disguise, met Nanasaheb Tantya Topi in Nepal and tried in vain to defeat the British rulers. His dream of freedom was never realised. He remained a mute witness to the triumph of the British Raj until his death in Vasai near Mumbai. The novel is easily comparable to those of John Masters, Manohar Malgonkar and Chinua Achebe.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Basavaraj Naikar
Basavaraj Naikar (b. 1949), M.A., Ph.D., D. Litt. (California), Professor and Chairman, Department of English, Karnatak University, Dharwad is a bilingual critic and creative writer. He has published several reviews and research articles both in Kannada and in English in national and international journals. He reviews the Indian literary works regularly for World Literature Today (Oklahoma, USA). He has translated many works from Kannada into English and vice versa. His specializations in teaching and research include Indian English Literature, Indian Literature in English Translation, American Literature, Commonwealth Literature. Anglo-Indian Literature, Religious Literature. Translation Theory and Practice and Creative Writing. He has a passion for music and philosophy in general. His the Thief of Nagarahalli and Other Stories and first historical-political novel, The Sun behind the Cloud dealing with the colonial encounter between Bhaskararao Bhave of Peshwa dynasty and the East India Company's authorities around 1857 have captured the attention of readers and critics. His Kannada publications include Paduvana Nadina Premavira, Kollada Neralu, Huchchuhole, Jogibhavi (staged, broadvast, telecast and prescribed as textbook for B.A. degree), Nigudha Saudha, Goverdhanaram, Asangata, Kannada Asangata Natakagalu, Samrachanavada, Beowulf, Gilgamesh Sahitya Charitre. His English publications Karnataka, Critical Articles on Nirad C. Chaudhri, Musings of Sarvajna, Shakespeare's Last Plays: A Study in Epic Affirmatioon. The Folk-Theatre of North Karnataka, Sparrows, Sandalwood, SangyaBalya, Fall of Kalyana, Kanakadasa: The Golden Servant of Lord Hari, Indian Response to Shakespeare and Indian English Literature, Vols. 1-4.
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