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A review by nadiamasood
Vagabond Princess: The Great Adventures of Gulbadan by Ruby Lal
adventurous
informative
slow-paced
3.0
This is the story of Princess Gulbadan, daughter of Emperor Babur (the founder of the Mughal Empire), and the only known female historian of her time. At 52, Princess Gulbadan boldly defied her nephew, Emperor Akbar, to lead a group of 11 women on a daring Hajj pilgrimage across the Indian and Arabian seas.
But here’s the thing: this book isn’t entirely about Gulbadan herself. It’s more about the fascinating world she lived in, though she does pop in and out of the narrative. There’s a fair bit of “she would have” but honestly, I can’t fault the author. I mean, working with only 83 folios and about 15 lines per page from Gulbadan’s original work? That’s pretty impressive!
I enjoyed this read. Gulbadan’s story is rarely told in historical nonfiction, and Lal captures her with a mix of respect and liveliness. It’s refreshing to see a Mughal princess portrayed as someone who didn’t just follow the rules but made her own.
That said, some parts did feel like they dragged a bit, leaning into textbook territory. And with limited source material, there’s that speculative tone in places that might not sit well with everyone.
Overall, Vagabond Princess is an engaging look at an incredible woman who defied the norms in an era where royal women were often kept in the background. It’s a must-read for history fans and anyone curious about the hidden lives of powerful women. A little slow here and there, but worth it!
But here’s the thing: this book isn’t entirely about Gulbadan herself. It’s more about the fascinating world she lived in, though she does pop in and out of the narrative. There’s a fair bit of “she would have” but honestly, I can’t fault the author. I mean, working with only 83 folios and about 15 lines per page from Gulbadan’s original work? That’s pretty impressive!
I enjoyed this read. Gulbadan’s story is rarely told in historical nonfiction, and Lal captures her with a mix of respect and liveliness. It’s refreshing to see a Mughal princess portrayed as someone who didn’t just follow the rules but made her own.
That said, some parts did feel like they dragged a bit, leaning into textbook territory. And with limited source material, there’s that speculative tone in places that might not sit well with everyone.
Overall, Vagabond Princess is an engaging look at an incredible woman who defied the norms in an era where royal women were often kept in the background. It’s a must-read for history fans and anyone curious about the hidden lives of powerful women. A little slow here and there, but worth it!