Kadal Pura is a classic Tamil historical novel by  Sandilian. It was first published in 1952 and has since become one of the most popular and widely read Tamil novels of all time. The 10th century AD Kadal Pura tells the story of the  naval commander Karunaagara Pallava who served under the Chola emperor Rajaraja Chola. The novel is a grand epic that takes the reader on a political, romantic and martial journey during the Chola dynasty.  The story of Kadal Pura begins with the introduction of Karunaagara Pallavan, a brave and loyal Chola naval commander. He was tasked with leading the Chola army to conquer the Pandya kingdom, a neighboring state that  refused to pay tribute to the Choras. The attack was successful and Karunaagara returned to the Chola kingdom as a hero.  However, Karunagara's troubles began when he fell in love with the beautiful and cheerful princess Amsavalli, the daughter of a defeated Pandya king. Amsawalli initially rejects Karunaagara's advances, but later falls in love with him as well. Their romance is complicated by their origins in rival kingdoms and  the political tension between the Chorats and the Pandyas. Despite the obstacles, Karunaagara and Amsawalli love each other passionately.  As the story progresses, the political situation of Jorah's kingdom becomes increasingly unclear. Emperor Rajaraja Chola became increasingly paranoid and power-hungry, and his actions caused discord among his subjects. Meanwhile, the Chola fleet faces new threats, including pirate attacks and the heavy naval presence of the Kingdom of Srivijaya. As Commander-in-Chief of the Chola Fleet, Karunaagara has to face these challenges while trying to protect his love for Amsavalli. He was an outstanding strategist and fighter, and his courage and cunning won him many important battles. However, he is also plagued by demons, including guilt over the death of a warrior and his love for a woman from a rival kingdom.  The novel reaches its climax when the Chola fleet faces its epic final  battle against the Kingdom of Srivijaya. The battle scenes are professionally designed and full of drama,  Sandillian shows a deep understanding of naval warfare. The outcome of the battle remains uncertain until the  end, and readers are left reeling as they read the suspenseful finale. Overall, Kadal Pura is an amazing novel that carefully blends history, politics, love and action. Sandilyan's vivid writing has vividly depicted the world of the Chola dynasty. The characters are complex and multifaceted, with flaws and strengths that make them  real and relatable. The romance between Karunaagara and Amsavalli is the main theme of the novel, and Sandilian has brilliantly portrayed their passionate but intense relationship. Their love is tested by the political tensions between their kingdoms and their  inner demons. But their love for each other never wavered, and their love story will continue long after you finish reading this book.  One of the strengths of Kadal Pura is that the story comes to life. Sandilian has done extensive research to ensure that his account is historically accurate and  the reader learns a lot about the politics, culture and warfare of the Chola dynasty. However, it is not a dry history book