Books matching: mughal empire
17 result(s)
- #1
Save:'The Twentieth Wife' by Indu Sundaresan is a historical fiction novel set in the Mughal Empire of 17th-century India. The book follows the life of Mehrunnisa, who eventually becomes Empress Nur Jahan, the twentieth and final wife of Emperor Jahangir. The story delves into Mehrunnisa's childhood, her first marriage, and her journey to power and influence within the empire. Sundaresan skillfully blends researched history with imaginative fiction, creating a vivid portrayal of the harem politics, treacheries, and espionage prevalent during that time period. The book provides insight into the roles of women in the empire and how they were able to shape history despite their lack of official power.
When my mother came near the time of her delivery, he (Akbar) sent her to the Shaikh’s house that I might be born there. After my birth they gave me the name of Sultan Salim, but I never heard my fath... - #2
Save:'The Last Mughal' by William Dalrymple is a detailed and informative historical account of the Indian Mutiny of 1857, focusing on the last Mughal Emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar II. The book vividly portrays the decline of the Mughal Empire, the uprising against British rule, and the tragic fate of Zafar. Dalrymple's writing style combines extensive research with a narrative that reads like a novel, offering a compelling insight into the cultural and political landscape of 19th-century India.
The book not only delves into the personal tragedy of Zafar but also explores the broader historical context of the Indian Mutiny, shedding light on the religious, social, and political tensions that led to this pivotal moment in Indian history. Through a mix of firsthand accounts, detailed descriptions, and nuanced analysis, Dalrymple paints a vivid picture of Delhi under siege, capturing the complexities of colonialism, rebellion, and the clash of ideologies.
With a salute from the cannon stationed on the ramparts, and an arc of fireworks and rockets fired aloft from the illuminated turrets of the Fort, the two gates opposite the great thoroughfare of Chan... - #3
Save:It is 1494 when the tragic death of the ruler of Ferghana leaves his only son, twelve-year-old Babur, facing a seemingly impossible challenge to live up to the example of his great ancestor, Tamburlaine, whose conquests stretched from Delhi to the Mediterranean. Babur's precarious reign will be fraught with danger, in a world of tribal rivalries, rampaging armies, and ruthlessly ambitious enemies. The book follows Babur's journey from his time as a young king to his death after the conquest of India, exploring his life, battles, and the formation of the great Moghul empire. The story is engaging, filled with historical events and details, and based closely on Babur's autobiography, providing insights into Muslim culture and the political landscape of the time.
In a small dusty fortress in Central Asia in the summer of 1494, the baked-mud battlements, grey as elephant’s hide in daytime, were pinkening before Babur’s eyes with the sunset. Far beneath, the Jax... - #4
Save:The Enchantress of Florence by Salman Rushdie is a multilayered novel that intertwines fantasy and reality, history and myth, truth and lies. The story follows a mysterious traveler who arrives at the Mughal Empire to tell a tale that spans continents and regimes, connecting the East and the West. Rushdie's evocative prose and fantastical storytelling style transport readers to a world where the natural and supernatural coexist, and where enchantment and magic play a significant role in shaping the narrative.
In the day’s last light the glowing lake below the palace-city looked like a sea of molten gold. A traveler coming this way at sunset—this traveler, coming this way, now, along the lakeshore road—migh... - #5
Save:'The Feast of Roses' delves into the union of Meherunisa and Emperor Jahangir, narrating their wedding story. The narrative vividly illustrates Meherunisa's transformation from an emperor's wife to Empress Nur Jahan, showcasing her rise to power in a man's world. The book intricately weaves a tapestry of conspiracies and complexities, portraying the intense love shared between Jahangir and Meherunisa amidst political ambitions and societal norms of 17th Century India.
The story unfolds the persistent conspiracies that surrounded Empress Nur Jahan's 16-year tenure, reflecting the intense hostility towards a woman governing the Mughal Empire. The book artfully concludes Meherunisa's story, echoing the struggles women endure even today, while providing a rich insight into the lavish lifestyle and political dynamics of the Mughal era.
The months of June and July passed. The monsoons were tardy this year—the nights hinted rain constantly with an aroma in the air, a cooling on the skin, soundless lightning across skies. But when morn...
(Also, see 30 recommendations for the series Taj Mahal ) - #6
Save:'The Anarchy: The East India Company, Corporate Violence, and the Pillage of an Empire' by William Dalrymple is a historical narrative detailing the rise of the East India Company and its takeover of the Indian subcontinent. The book covers events from the late 16th century to the early 19th century, focusing on the Company's exploitation of political disunity, military tactics, and economic conquest to amass wealth and power. Dalrymple's writing style is described as vivid and clear, presenting a sordid picture of corporate greed, political manipulation, and cultural clashes during this tumultuous period in history.
Dalrymple weaves together accounts of key figures such as Robert Clive, Warren Hastings, Tipu Sultan, and Shah Alam, shedding light on their roles in the Company's expansion and the downfall of the Mughal Empire. Through extensive research and use of historical documents, the author paints a detailed narrative of how a small group of merchants from a distant land managed to overthrow one of the wealthiest and most powerful empires of the time, leaving a legacy of corporate power and exploitation in their wake.
On 24 September 1599, while William Shakespeare was pondering a draft of Hamlet in his house downriver from the Globe in Southwark, a mile to the north, barely twenty minutes’ walk across the Thames, ... - #7
Save:'India: A History' by John Keay is a comprehensive overview of India's history from ancient times to the present day. The book delves into various aspects of Indian history, including the impact of British colonization, the Mughal dynasty, and the partition of India in 1947. Keay's writing style is described as high-grade journalism, presenting the information in an articulate and engaging manner that makes the complex history of India understandable and entertaining.
- #8
Save:In "The Devourers" by Indra Das, readers are taken on a unique journey through a blend of fantasy and horror, as a young Indian professor named Alok is drawn into a world of werewolves and shapeshifters by a mysterious stranger. The book weaves together multiple narratives, exploring themes of identity, love, belonging, and the human condition through visceral and unsettling storytelling that pushes boundaries and offers a new voice in the fantasy genre.
The story delves into Indian history and folklore, transporting readers to different time periods and locations, such as the construction site of the Taj Mahal and the streets of Mughal time Agra and Delhi, all while examining the raw physicality and unbridled inhumanity of the shape-shifting creatures. Through elegant prose and intricate world-building, Das creates a complex work that immerses readers in a tale of werewolves like no other, challenging them to explore the darker aspects of love, violence, and the hidden truths within us all.
Think of a field breathing the cool of nighttime into the soles of your shoes. A large tent in front of you—cloth, canvas, and bamboo—lit from within. Electric lamps surrounding a wooden stage that cr... - #9
Save:Moth Smoke by Mohsin Hamid is a novel set in Lahore, Pakistan during the late 1990s, focusing on the protagonist Daru Shezad who spirals into poverty, drug abuse, and crime after losing his job at a bank. The story delves into the elite class of Pakistan, exploring themes of class divide, personal downfall, and societal corruption. Through multiple perspectives and alternating narrators, the book paints a vivid picture of Daru's descent into darkness, all within the backdrop of a changing Pakistani society.
The writing style in Moth Smoke is described as beautiful, compelling, and haunting, capturing the melancholy and sadness of the characters' lives. The narrative unfolds with a noir feel, offering sharp observations on contemporary young people in an emerging Muslim country and critiquing the amoral behavior of the elite class. The book is praised for its exploration of addiction, social commentary on Pakistan in the late 1990s, and the author's ability to vividly portray the characters and their struggles.
My cell is full of shadows. Hanging naked from a wire in the hall outside, a bulb casts light cut by rusted bars into thin strips that snake along the concrete floor and up the back wall. People like ... - #10
Save:"Enemy of All Mankind: A True Story of Piracy, Power, and History's First Global Manhunt" by Steven Johnson revolves around the infamous pirate Henry Every, who carried out a daring act of piracy against a Grand Mughal treasure ship in the Indian Ocean in 1694. Johnson delves into the repercussions of Every's actions, sparking the first international manhunt and trial of the 17th century, while also exploring the broader historical context of piracy, the British Empire, and the East India Company. Through a mix of historical facts and conjecture, the narrative unfolds with a focus on Every's impact on British India relations and the subsequent strengthening of the British East India Company.
is not a typical swashbuckler tale filled with dramatic battles and sword fights, but rather a detailed examination of the life of a little-known pirate and the far-reaching consequences of his actions. Johnson's writing style weaves together historical facts, vivid descriptions of pirate life, and the global impact of Every's piracy, offering a compelling narrative that sheds light on how one event in history can have lasting implications across centuries and continents.
Sometime around the year 1670, a young man from Devon in the West Country of England joined the Royal Navy. Given that he would spent the rest of his adult life on the water, it is possible that he wi...
