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Synopsis This is a harrowing true story of a poet who was crucified by wild Pathan terrorists sent to capture Kashmir, a few days after the Maharaja's accession to free India in 1947. This short novel which has been called as Mulk Raj Anand's "highest achievement", portrays the true story of poet Maqbool Sherwani's crucification by wild Pathans terrorists in Kashmir. Rising above the dangers of his return to his hometown, Baramula, on the behest of Sheikh Abdullah and his patriotic council, who have preferred liberty in secular India rather than Pak theocracy, Maqbool Sherwani goes through terror, unleashed by mercenary guerillas, to face nightmare of loot and killing of the invaders. Betrayed by the greedy little men who have succumbed to the lure of money and power, he is caught after a chase, to face his tormentors. He is shot after a mock trial and leaves behind a tender letter to his sister about his belief in future - of the struggle for hope against despair.