[1] The focaliser and protagonist is Pampa Kampana, partly inspired by the historical, fourteenth-century princess-poet Gangadevi, who is given (or cursed with) a 247-year lifespan.

Covering multiple generations, her reign includes having affairs with Portuguese adventurers and turning people into animals with her spells.

Soon after, she takes refuge in a cave with a holy man and is later visited by the brothers Hukka and Bukka Sangama, cowherds turned soldiers, who were on the run after escaping slavery.

Hukka and Bukka crown themselves the first kings of the city and Pampa arrives to whisper memories into the people born from her seeds.

Following a string of wars and unfortunate deaths, the latest king goes mad and Pampa, caught in one of his rages, is forcefully blinded with an iron-rod.

Pampa once again takes up refuge with a holy man and finally beginning to feel her age, lives out her days confined in her room.

[8][9][10] The Harvard Crimson Review hailed the book as a masterclass in foreshadowing and character development, further adding that "Victory City is a bold confrontation of religion, history and tradition interwoven with a contemporary critique of our world.