Salman Rushdie's novel is a provocative tale of the 247 year life of the god-like heroin Pamopa Kampana and the rise and fall of the mythical city of Bisnaga (1335-1565). The young Pampa gives rise to the city from seeds. She aids the cowherds Hukka and Bukka in molding Bisnaga into a glorious city with arts, culture, and powerful women. Bisnaga is constantly challenged by foreign invasion from factions in the south, sultans in the north, and Portuguese in the west. There is also the challenges of theological "advisors" with excess power challenging free will, women's rights, and education. The initial five "remonstrances", or protests, involved the separation of church and state, the observance of mass worshipping, policing morality, making war, and the pursuit of the arts. Bisnaga experiences years of glory with wealth, poetry, temples and military conquests. There are also years of decline with beheadings, poisoning, blinding, and unrest. Eventually Bisnaga falls and Pampa meets her demise upon completing her manuscript. The fictional tale warns the reader of the threat of theological zealots and ruthless, unjust, and/or sly rulers. The many lessons of Bisnaga can be applied to all social orders and countries.
