Describing Nikhil Gulati as a history nut, will be an understatement. Because in the two years he has been in Hyderabad, Gulati has visited the Golconda Fort at least 20 times.
And after each visit, the former techie returns with a new discovery about the ancient Fort, situated on a hill overlooking the grand city of Hyderabad. It’s easy to tell, that he’s in love. Gulati has now released a graphic novel explaining the history of the Fort and has used his imagination to re-live its glory days.
From interesting motifs on its walls to a strange discovery of pineapples etched on the tombs (a few decades after the fruit was actually discovered by explorer Christopher Columbus), the book — in its 60 pages — has everything a history buff needs. Gulati, however, hasn’t studied the subject at all, it was just “interest”.
He arrived in the city for a job with Microsoft, following a Masters’ Degree in computer science from the US and an MBA from IIM-A.
“I have been interested in history since I finished school and I really like reading books by Abraham Eraly and Ramchandra Guha,” says Gulati, who was motivated by a professor at IIM-A, Sunil Handa.
After quitting his job, Gulati went on to create the graphic novel, which also needed intense research. He then met with expert city historians including Narendra Luther for the translation of Urdu poetry and some guides. All in all, the book, titled Shepherd’s Hill, took four months to finish. “The guides had these very interesting stories to tell but I had to always check for facts. I read books from Eraly and Guha to know more,” says Gulati, who hails from New Delhi.
Shepherd’s Hill has excellent insight into the Golconda Fort’s history — including the importance of granite rocks that were used to construct it, trade in those days and even slavery.
But it’s the reimagination of the Fort that really brings the book to life. Who’s to say that the book, in its comic book format, will not be useful in many of the city’s schools? Gulati is hoping his book will be helpful for those arriving in Hyderabad for the first time. “When I came to Hyderabad, the Golconda Fort immediately caught my attention. It’s an incredible piece of architecture and I hope, through my book, people appreciate it more.”
