He’s a hero, say many Indians. He’s a villain, say many others. For some he’s one of India’s greatest freedom fighters, for others he’s a British collaborator and National traitor. Many believe he was behind Gandhi’s assassination, others deny this, and still others celebrate the accusation.Just who is Vinayak Damodar savannah? And what’s his real story? In this book, journalist Vaibhav Purandare excavates the true story of savannah and presents an authoritative and unbiased account of his life. Based on original Marathi sources, Court and government records, and newspapers of the time, this book is packed with details and stories that have so far been hidden from public view. What emerges is a complex portrait of one of India’s first revolutionary freedom fighters who spent more time in jail than any other patriot. A man who was the originator of a controversial and polarizing ideology. An atheist who condoned cow slaughter and poked fun at the RSS but became the leading light of the Hindu right. More so than any other figure from Indian history, Savarkar’s legacy is evident in National politics today. This is what makes this book so urgent, riveting and essential.