Ancient Witness: A Century Under the Peepal Tree

From the shadow of a sacred tree, five generations shape the soul of modern India

In 1920, twelve-year-old Meera plants a Peepal seed with her grandmother's dying wish: "This tree will witness truths we cannot yet imagine." She never dreams that a century later, this ancient guardian will shelter the birth of nations, the dreams of revolutionaries, and the digital transformation of a village into a model for the world.

Spanning 105 years of breathtaking change, The Ancient Witness: A Century Under the Peepal Tree follows five generations of one Tamil family as they navigate the seismic shifts from British colonial rule to India's emergence as a global technology powerhouse. Beneath the spreading branches of their sacred tree, they grapple with impossible choices: tradition or progress, community or individual ambition, local identity or global connection.

From independence activism to the digital revolution, each generation discovers that survival means more than resistance-it requires the wisdom to bend without breaking, to preserve what matters while embracing necessary change. When Meera's great-great-granddaughter faces the tree's greatest threat yet, she must choose between development and preservation, forcing the entire community to confront what they're truly fighting to protect.

Perfect for readers who loved The Kite Runner, Shantaram, and Pachinko-this sweeping saga reveals how ordinary people navigate extraordinary times, proving that the strongest communities are those that grow like trees: with deep roots and flexible branches.

"A magnificent achievement that brings a century of Indian history to vivid life through the experiences of one remarkable community. Siva Kanth has created a novel that is both deeply rooted in Tamil culture and universally resonant."

Discover the truth that took a century to reveal...