The Ramayana and Mahabharata

The Ramayana and Mahabharata is a book by Romesh C. Dutt, first published in 1899. In this work, Dutt retells the two great Sanskrit epics of ancient India—the Ramayana and the Mahabharata—in concise English verse. Aimed at introducing these foundational stories to a Western audience, the book preserves the spirit and grandeur of the originals while presenting them in a format accessible to readers unfamiliar with Indian literature or mythology.

Romesh Dutt, a prominent Indian civil servant and literary figure, sought to bridge cultural gaps by bringing Indian epic traditions into the literary mainstream. His work played a significant role during the late 19th and early 20th centuries in promoting an understanding of India’s cultural heritage. The retellings focus on the moral, philosophical, and heroic dimensions of the tales, offering readers timeless themes of duty, conflict, loyalty, and destiny. The book has been influential in shaping early English-language interpretations of Indian epics and remains a valuable resource for students and general readers alike.