Read more
In 1611, thirty-four-year-old Nur Jahan, daughter of a Persian noble and widow of a subversive official, became the twentieth and favourite wife of the Emperor Jahangir who ruled the Mughal Empire. An astute politician as well as a devoted partner, she issued imperial orders; coins of the realm bore her name. When Jahangir was imprisoned by a rebellious nobleman, the Empress led troops into battle and rescued him.
The only woman to acquire the stature of empress in her male-dominated world, Nur was also a talented dress designer and innovative architect whose work inspired her stepson's Taj Mahal. Nur's confident assertion of talent and power is revelatory; it far exceeded the authority of her female contemporaries, including Elizabeth I. Here, she finally receives her due in a deeply researched and evocative biography.
About the author
Ruby Lal is an award-winning historian of India and professor of South Asian history at Emory University whose writing has appeared in
Time,
BBC History, and
Literary Hub. She is the author of
Empress: The Astonishing Reign of Nur Jahan, which was a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize. Her most recent book,
Vagabond Princess: The Great Adventures of Gulbadan, was longlisted for the prestigious Cundill History Prize and received praise from the BBC,
Wall Street Journal, and
Times Literary Supplement, among others. She divides her time between Atlanta, Georgia, and Delhi, India.
Summary
Four centuries ago, a Muslim woman ruled an empire. Her legend still lives, but her story was lost—until now.
