Born around 1501 AD in Machari near Alwar, Hemu entered service under Sher Shah Suri's dynasty, trading saltpetre for gunpowder and advancing to superintendent of markets under Islam Shah. His father, Sant Puran Das, renounced worldly life for Vri...

Born around 1501 AD in Machari near Alwar, Hemu entered service under Sher Shah Suri's dynasty, trading saltpetre for gunpowder and advancing to superintendent of markets under Islam Shah. His father, Sant Puran Das, renounced worldly life for Vrindavan's Radha Vallabh Sampradaya, leaving Hemu to support the family through commerce and military supplies.Under weak Sultan Adil Shah (1553-1556), Hemu became wazir, finance minister, and commander, suppressing revolts by Taj Khan Karrani, Ibrahim Suri, Sikandar Suri, and Bengal's Muhammad Khan across 22 battles. He quelled Afghan nobles' rebellions, securing Bihar, Bengal, and central India through tactical brilliance despite outnumbered forces.In October 1556, after Humayun's death, Hemu defeated and drove the Mughals out of Agra, Sambhal, Gwalior, Kalpi and then Delhi. He crowned himself Samrat Hemchandra Vikramaditya, issuing coins and holding court as sovereign. Akbar's regent, Bairam Khan advanced at the Second Battle of Panipat (November 5, 1556) and Hemu marched to Panipat to change the destiny of Hindustan forever, but would his own destiny favour him?The book portrays Hemu as a forgotten hero of merit, critiquing biased Mughal chronicles.