India, Oct. 3 -- Eighteenth century Travancore; crown prince Marthanda Varma has been forced to take refuge in the forested outskirts of his kingdom to escape assassins. His realm has been paralysed by a ruthless confederacy of priests, feudal lords and the Dutch monopoly on spice, rendering the royal family powerless. Armed with his political acumen and accompanied by a rag-tag group of mercenaries, Marthanda fights to reclaim his right to rule. After the death of his uncle, Marthanda ascends the throne, determined to rewrite the story of Travancore. With an enigmatic Dutch general by his side, he builds an army, and using a combination of military might and diplomacy forges a formidable empire. But power is a potent drug and trust, a rare commodity. Surrounded by duplicitous allies, murderous rivals and the looming danger of English dominance, will the Travancore king's thirst for glory blind him to duty and honour? This is the story of a remarkable life....