Bestselling authors Raghu and Pushpa Palat are back with a sweeping new work of historical storytelling that brings to life the extraordinary reign of Rama Varma IX, better known as the legendary Shakthan Thampuran. Following the success of The Case That Shook the Empire, the duo turns its attention to the kingdom of Cochin at a moment when it stood on the brink of collapse.

The book traces the remarkable rise of eighteen-year-old Kunjipilla, who was entrusted with the governance of a fragile state teetering towards annexation. Under his astute leadership, Cochin underwent a dramatic transformation. Through strategic alliances, urban development, expansion of trade networks and decisive political reforms, he consolidated royal authority and dismantled the entrenched nexus between priests and the Nair nobility. The narrative presents Shakthan Thampuran not merely as a ruler, but as a visionary who reshaped the political and social fabric of Kerala.

Drawing on meticulous archival research and told with compelling narrative flair, the Palats reconstruct a pivotal yet often overlooked chapter of Indian history. The book goes beyond a conventional biography, offering a vivid and immersive portrait of a reign that left an enduring imprint on the region’s identity.

Raghu Palat, a banker by profession, has authored forty-five books across genres, many of them bestsellers. Pushpa Palat, a writer for over four decades, has worked across travel, children’s literature and brand content, and is the author of the popular Champ: My Favourite Child. Together, they have carved a niche in historical fiction. Their earlier work, The Case That Shook the Empire, was adapted into the film Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh by Dharma Productions. They are also known for the bestselling historical titles Destiny’s Child: The Undefeatable Reign of Cochin’s Parukutty Neithyaramma and God’s Own Empire: The Extraordinary Life of Marthanda Varma of Travancore.

With their latest offering, the Palats once again blend scholarship and storytelling to resurrect a towering figure from India’s past, inviting readers to rediscover the legacy of Shakthan Thampuran.