Abhas Verma
Author | Historian | Researcher | Writer on South Asian History, Geopolitics and Strategic Affairs
Abhas Verma is a distinguished Indian author and researcher with more than ten published books, whose writings explore the history, politics, military affairs and geopolitics of South Asia. His work combines historical research with an engaging narrative style, bringing important events, personalities and strategic developments to a wider readership.
Verma's literary journey began while he was still in college. In 2013, he published his first book, The Third Battle of Panipat, an extensive study of the historic battle fought on 14 January 1761 between the Maratha forces and the alliance led by Ahmad Shah Abdali. The book examines the military strength of the opposing armies, diplomatic manoeuvring, political developments, causes of the Maratha defeat and contemporary accounts of the battle. Its second edition was published in 2023, featuring a Foreword by Shri Uday Mahurkar, Central Information Commissioner.
His subsequent works expanded his exploration of Indian military and political history. His second book presented biographical accounts of the Maratha warriors who fought at Panipat, bringing attention to the individual commanders and soldiers whose stories form an important part of the larger history of the battle.
His third book examined the long and complex history of Shri Ram Janmbhoomi, tracing its historical significance and the developments surrounding one of India's most consequential civilizational and political issues. The book was launched by Shri Kameshwar Chaupal, a member of the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.
Verma subsequently turned his attention to one of medieval India's most celebrated rulers with his work on Prithviraj Chauhan. The book explores the life, reign and military campaigns of the legendary ruler and his place in Indian history. It carries a Foreword by Shri Harivansh Ji, Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
His research interests also extend beyond Indian history into international relations and South Asian geopolitics. He has written on the complex relationship between India and Afghanistan, examining the historical, strategic and geopolitical dimensions of the relationship between the two countries.
International Publications
Verma's scholarship has also reached an international readership through his publications with Helion & Company, a UK-based specialist publisher known for its military history and conflict studies catalogue.
His two-volume Shadows in Paradise series forms an extensive study of the political evolution, insurgency and counter-insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir:
Shadows in Paradise, Volume 1: Kashmir, Politics and Insurgency, 1965–1989
Shadows in Paradise, Volume 2: Kashmir, Politics and Insurgency, 1989–1996
Published as part of Helion & Company's Asia@War series in 2026, the two volumes examine the political, social, military and regional developments that shaped Kashmir from the decades preceding the outbreak of armed insurgency through the subsequent years of conflict, counter-insurgency and political recovery. The books draw upon historical events, political developments, military operations, regional dynamics, photographs, maps and other visual material to present a detailed account of one of South Asia's most enduring conflicts.
Through his body of work, Abhas Verma has developed a particular interest in Indian military history, strategic affairs, South Asian geopolitics and the historical forces that have shaped the Indian subcontinent. His writings seek not merely to recount events, but to examine the political decisions, military strategies, personalities and circumstances behind them.
His work has increasingly brought together history, military studies, geopolitics and contemporary strategic analysis, making his writing relevant to historians, students, researchers, defence enthusiasts and readers interested in India's past and its place in the contemporary world.
From his first book on the Third Battle of Panipat in 2013 to his internationally published Shadows in Paradise series, Abhas Verma's literary journey represents a sustained engagement with the history and strategic affairs of India and South Asia.
His objective is simple: to bring forgotten histories, overlooked perspectives and important strategic questions to the attention of a wider audience.