Sohail Rekhy resurrects an Indian maritime hero in his new book

In the vast expanse of Indian history, the tales of certain heroes are lost between the pages of dusty library books. One such luminary is Kanhoji Angre, a maritime titan whose exploits have largely escaped mainstream narratives. With meticulous research and captivating prose, Sohail Rekhy is bringing Maratha Naval Admiral Kanhoji Angre’s saga the attention it deserves in his book, Angria: A Historical Odyssey.

Angria illuminates the life and legacy of the enigmatic naval commander. In our conversation, Rekhy paints a vivid picture of his journey into the depths of history and the inspiration behind resurrecting Kanhoji Angre’s achievements from obscurity.

From myths to manuscript

Rekhy’s fascination with storytelling traces back to his childhood dream of traversing the cosmos as an astronaut (do you know about the space gynaecologist?). However, destiny charted a course for him in the realm of writing, where he travels through time collecting stories. India’s diverse and rich history has always had an allure, and it beckoned Rekhy to embark on a quest to unearth lesser-known gems like Kanhoji Angre.

“Being an Indian, reading about ancient India was more colourful to me than any other kind of literature,” he says.

“I was researching for a children’s book that I was working on when I came across Kanhoji Angre,” Rekhy reminisces. “I didn’t do my high school in Mumbai, but my friends who had they had just heard of him in passing during history class.” His quest to unearth the truth behind the legacy of Kanhoji Angre, also known as Conajee Angria or Sarkhel Angre, took him on a journey that spanned museums, libraries and even conversations with Kanhoji Angre’s descendants.

Rekhy’s research led him to the shores of the Konkan, where Kanhoji Angre’s legend loomed large – immersing himself in the sights, sounds and smells of the past, sitting in dusty libraries reading any related material he could find.

Navigating fact and fiction

Balancing historical accuracy with narrative flair posed a unique challenge for Rekhy. While anchored in factual accounts, his storytelling acumen breathed life into Kanhoji Angre’s exploits, transporting readers to an era brimming with maritime intrigue and imperial ambition.

Renowned for his audacious raids on European merchant vessels, particularly those of the British, Dutch and Portuguese, he was tagged a ‘pirate’ among European powers. You’ll even catch a glimpse of Sumbhajee Angria, based on Sambhaji Angre, son of Kanhoji Angre, in the film Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End. His repeated display of power over the colonial fleet, which was once a matter of pride, became a problem. Despite their concerted efforts to thwart him, Kanhoji Angre’s naval prowess allowed him to evade capture and challenge colonial powers. It led numerous historians to reevaluate his legacy told by the colonial rulers, viewing him not as a pirate, but as a man of courage and great intelligence, an early freedom fighter against European dominance.

Reflecting on his approach of blending facts with fiction, Rekhy shares, “You want to stay true to your research. So, you do your research on who this person was, how they behaved in certain situations, and then you build his character against fictionalised events.”

Charting a course forward

With plans to explore new horizons, including returning to the children’s book that he was meant to write in the first place and a dive into the history of a Cavalry Regiment, Rekhy’s literary odyssey continues to chart a course through the corridors of time. As we eagerly await the next chapter, one thing remains certain: the spirit of Kanhoji Angre sails on, immortalised in the pages of Angria.

Published by Penguin Random House, you can click here to buy a copy of Angria: A Historical Odyssey.