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4.25 AVERAGE
4.25 AVERAGE
The author really loves the words “erudite” and “erudition” - will some day reread and tally all of its occurrences.
On a more serious note, this book is a fantastically comprehensive resource on the lives of the women of the Mughal Empire - so often we’ve only encountered them in passing, as figures of legend, or as characters of historical fiction - it was a pleasure to learn about these lesser known voices in history. The author paints a vivid landscape that, while sometimes difficult to follow (a family tree plotting out main figures would have been helpful), is absolutely spellbinding.
On a more serious note, this book is a fantastically comprehensive resource on the lives of the women of the Mughal Empire - so often we’ve only encountered them in passing, as figures of legend, or as characters of historical fiction - it was a pleasure to learn about these lesser known voices in history. The author paints a vivid landscape that, while sometimes difficult to follow (a family tree plotting out main figures would have been helpful), is absolutely spellbinding.
adventurous
informative
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
[a:Ira Mukhoty|16274359|Ira Mukhoty|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1488424886p2/16274359.jpg] in [b:Daughters of the Sun: Empresses, Queens and Begums of the Mughal Empire|42774290|Daughters of the Sun Empresses, Queens and Begums of the Mughal Empire|Ira Mukhoty|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1543429086l/42774290._SY75_.jpg|61893958] deconstructs the Eurocentric view of the Mughal zenana as a place of perfumed beauties, lust and intrigue to the place of opulence and elegance, learning and literature, industry and power that it really was. One by one, from the time of Babur to Aurangzeb, she features revered and respected mothers and sisters like Khanazada and Gulbadan, powerful wives like Noor Jahan and Hamida Banu, and the adored and influential daughters like Jahanara. Indian history, as taught in schools, is chiefly concerned with memorizing the names of the emperors and the dates of their reign, the role of women, if at all, is not given the space they deserve—Mukhoty brought light and color to their complex and intricate lives for me. Side note, Shernaz Patel's narration was wonderful.
A book looking at the life of women of the Mughal dynasty - none like I ever imagined. I am guilty of not taking an in-depth look into our country's history and it's all been stories of names. But for the first time, I have seen these figures, especially these queens and princesses as what they truly were - figures of great knowledge, power, independence and beauty.
The stories are like no other. The reality of Mughal dynasty is a better story than the fiction of the Game of Thrones kind. And never have I thought that the women of this dynasty had such powerful, influential and history-changing hold over the same. They were not mere queens and women running households, but independent persons and personalities, who shaped the Mughals and their grandeur.
10/10 would recommend reading this book to understand these powerful and ambitious women for this book would change your perception of what being a princess really means. It is a well-researched book. The narration will keep you gripped. The facts are stated as they are and even though you may already know what happens in the end, you will still be biting your nails .
PS: Jahanara is my new favourite historical figure and inspiration.
The stories are like no other. The reality of Mughal dynasty is a better story than the fiction of the Game of Thrones kind. And never have I thought that the women of this dynasty had such powerful, influential and history-changing hold over the same. They were not mere queens and women running households, but independent persons and personalities, who shaped the Mughals and their grandeur.
10/10 would recommend reading this book to understand these powerful and ambitious women for this book would change your perception of what being a princess really means. It is a well-researched book. The narration will keep you gripped. The facts are stated as they are and even though you may already know what happens in the end, you will still be biting your nails .
PS: Jahanara is my new favourite historical figure and inspiration.
A vividly written book which makes a valorous attempt to bring the world of the Mughal women to life. It does succeed in recreating the lives and thoughts of these women who, contrary to what westerners have made us believe, held real and titular power. The book is also filled with many interesting facts and instances which keep you engrossed.
However, in the end I am left asking more of the book. It makes one fantasize about the immense wealth of the Mughals. It also leaves the reader heartbroken by telling us about the penury of the last of the Mughals, with the Mughal women becoming courtesans, prostitutes and men being killed en masse. But it completely misses out on the lives of the real people, who are almost always dismissed with disdain. While they are not the subject of this book, when the author is talking glowingly of the wealth of the royals, there is an implicit duty to give the readers a reference point, as regards the wealth of the subjects of the world's richest royals.
Nonetheless, one would not regret reading this short and crisp work.
However, in the end I am left asking more of the book. It makes one fantasize about the immense wealth of the Mughals. It also leaves the reader heartbroken by telling us about the penury of the last of the Mughals, with the Mughal women becoming courtesans, prostitutes and men being killed en masse. But it completely misses out on the lives of the real people, who are almost always dismissed with disdain. While they are not the subject of this book, when the author is talking glowingly of the wealth of the royals, there is an implicit duty to give the readers a reference point, as regards the wealth of the subjects of the world's richest royals.
Nonetheless, one would not regret reading this short and crisp work.
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
informative
slow-paced
A book looking at the life of women of the Mughal dynasty - none like I ever imagined. I am guilty of not taking an in-depth look into our country's history and it's all been stories of names. But for the first time, I have seen these figures, especially these queens and princesses as what they truly were - figures of great knowledge, power, independence and beauty.
The stories are like no other. The reality of Mughal dynasty is a better story than the fiction of the Game of Thrones kind. And never have I thought that the women of this dynasty had such powerful, influential and history-changing hold over the same. They were not mere queens and women running households, but independent persons and personalities, who shaped the Mughals and their grandeur.
10/10 would recommend reading this book to understand these powerful and ambitious women for this book would change your perception of what being a princess really means. It is a well-researched book. The narration will keep you gripped. The facts are stated as they are and even though you may already know what happens in the end, you will still be biting your nails .
PS: Jahanara is my new favourite historical figure and inspiration.
The stories are like no other. The reality of Mughal dynasty is a better story than the fiction of the Game of Thrones kind. And never have I thought that the women of this dynasty had such powerful, influential and history-changing hold over the same. They were not mere queens and women running households, but independent persons and personalities, who shaped the Mughals and their grandeur.
10/10 would recommend reading this book to understand these powerful and ambitious women for this book would change your perception of what being a princess really means. It is a well-researched book. The narration will keep you gripped. The facts are stated as they are and even though you may already know what happens in the end, you will still be biting your nails .
PS: Jahanara is my new favourite historical figure and inspiration.
Ratings - 4.5
It's extremely heartening to read an engrossing history book by an Indian Author. The book is divided into chapters with each dedicated to one character from the court but they are beautifully woven into a neat narrative. Apart from bringing out these women from behind the veil into real life author is also able to unfold the story of the court and empire itself.
It's extremely heartening to read an engrossing history book by an Indian Author. The book is divided into chapters with each dedicated to one character from the court but they are beautifully woven into a neat narrative. Apart from bringing out these women from behind the veil into real life author is also able to unfold the story of the court and empire itself.
[a:Ira Mukhoty|16274359|Ira Mukhoty|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1488424886p2/16274359.jpg] in [b:Daughters of the Sun: Empresses, Queens and Begums of the Mughal Empire|42774290|Daughters of the Sun Empresses, Queens and Begums of the Mughal Empire|Ira Mukhoty|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1543429086l/42774290._SY75_.jpg|61893958] deconstructs the Eurocentric view of the Mughal zenana as a place of perfumed beauties, lust and intrigue to the place of opulence and elegance, learning and literature, industry and power that it really was. One by one, from the time of Babur to Aurangzeb, she features revered and respected mothers and sisters like Khanazada and Gulbadan, powerful wives like Noor Jahan and Hamida Banu, and the adored and influential daughters like Jahanara. Indian history, as taught in schools, is chiefly concerned with memorizing the names of the emperors and the dates of their reign, the role of women, if at all, is not given the space they deserve—Mukhoty brought light and color to their complex and intricate lives for me. Side note, Shernaz Patel's narration was wonderful.