A gripping adventure and mystery story set in the past

3rd century BCE, Pataliputra, India

Madhura is twelve and lives in the legendary city of Pataliputra during the reign of King Ashoka of the Mauryan dynasty. She works in the palace as the maid and companion of Princess Sanghamitra.

Madhura does not like it all! Life is so boring. She dreams of travelling across the land like her brother Kartik, who is a trader and growing up to become a soldier, fighting with swords and riding horses.

Madhuras dreams suddenly come true as she travels with Kartik from Pataliputra to Ujjaini in a caravan. On the way mysterious things begin to happen. Who is that fat man who gives Kartik packets full of gold and silver coins? Why are they stopping at Vidisha to meet a Buddhist monk? Kartik is up to something, and Madhura has to find out the truth.

Read this fascinating account of Madhuras life, and discover what it was like to grow up in the past!