The Taj Mahal Trilogy by Indu Sundaresan



I was excited to pick up Indu Sundaresan’s The Taj mahal Trilogy, as the Mughal Era has always been captivating for me, historically and architecturally. One of my uncle’s stayed in Agra, so I got to see Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, and Fatehpur Sikri very early on in life.  

The author introduces us to many main characters that have been obscure in their mention in most of the fictional and non-fictional accounts of this era. It’s a very well researched series and the overriding theme across the three books is the substantial role that the women of the Zenana (women’s wing) played in ruling Hindustan.  

The first two books, trace the story of Mehrunissa, born to a Persian nobleman, growing up in the times of Akbar ruling India. She falls in love with Salim (later emperor Jehangir) at the age of 8 and finally marries him at the age of 34 to become his “Twentieth Wife”. The next book “Feast of Roses” follows the journey of Mehrunissa, renamed Nur Jahan becoming the de facto ruler of Mughal India. Nur Jahan architecturally contributes to this era, by building Serai Nurmahal near Jalandhar which becomes an inspiration to Sarai’s across the Mughal empire. She also builds a tomb for her father known as Itimadduddaula tomb in Agra, which is said to be a starting inspiration for The Taj Mahal. 

The third book, “Shadow Princess” brings out the role of Jahanara. She is the first child of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal and a beloved of her parents. Jahanara’s mother, Mumtaz Mahal passes away when she is 17. Jahanara, wise beyond her years, helps her father in overseeing the empire, while he still grieves for his wife. She shoulders the responsibly of the entire Zenana and all her brothers. She plays a strong role in Shah Jahan’s rule for almost 30 years of the Mughal empire. She also plays a crucial role in the building of the Taj Mahal, expanding Shalimar Bagh in Kashmir and refurbishing and beautification of the Ajmer Sharif Dargah. 

Overall, a great way to get the mind off the mundane in this COVID era. I suggest taking a trip down this lane, you will come out appreciating the role of women in the Mughal era. These strong women and the power they yielded from behind their veils. 

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