From my beloved late husband, Timothy Balraj (note he did not work on any of these ideas after 2014):
Karna & Sikhandin: fiction set in mythical times in India but told like a true historical story
I. Child of the Sun tells the story of Karna (a demigod hero in the myths) from childhood but mostly in the Mahabharata War. Told from point of view of younger stepbrother. Will need significant changes to standard storyline to make him a true hero. Introduces Sikhandin.
II. Woman of War sequel has Sikhandin (who in the myths is a warrior who was born female and was made male later) who here is truly a woman but is dressed as a male warrior