A kaleidoscopic view of Banaras, Varanasi charts a narrative that spans from the city’ s present day, to its origins as Kashi, and the fin de siè cle of the eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries, which witnessed Varanasi’ s inclusionary development as a cultural and pilgrimage centre, an opulent trading hub, and a basilica of political power. Weaving facts, interesting anecdotes and untold stories to make a rich tapestry, this book is an insider’ s account and an unparalleled portrait of the city. VERTUL SINGH holds a postgraduate diploma in journalism and mass communication. He was commissioned in the Indian Army and left as a Captain, when he was selected for the CISF in the 1994 batch of UPSC. Apart from his other assignments, he has also served as a spokesperson for the UN Police in Kosovo and has also been on deputation to the Ministry of Home Affairs. He is currently posted in a senior position with the Government of India. His compendium of Hindi Literature of the Twentieth Century is under publication. Vertul has keen interest in music, culture and parallel cinema, besides literature.