I just read the "The Twentieth Wife" by Indu Sundaresan on my trip to new york. I really enjoyed the book, after a long time I found a book that was so intriguing. The book is a work of fiction about Nur Jahan’s life from birth till her marriage with Salim/Jahangir. Jahangir never married after that. Indu Sundaresan writes a fascinating tale rooted in history. She beautifully states the historical facts interweaved with artistic imagination. It is fascinating to read about Jahangir’s harem of 300, and the mughal era during the times. Also as the book though fictional is based on true historical events, is an interesting way of learning history, probably one that I will not forget.
Some of my favourite reads in the book, is the colourful mina bazaar descriptions, salim’s numerous flings including anarkali, the character of Ruqayya Begum Akbar’s wife and her interplay with Jagat Gosini Salim’s main wife. Also the independent at the same time a submissive Nur Jahan make this book a must read. An interesting fact that becomes clear from the book is that the two most beautiful and powerful women in the mughal era descend from the same family. Ghias Beg and Asmat were Nur Jahan's parents and their son Abul was the father of Arjumand/Mumtaz Mahal of Taj Mahal fame. There is also an interesting relationship depicted between Nur Jahan and Khurram/Shah Jahan the boy she took care of during her visits to the royal zenana.
I am now looking forward to reading the sequel soon the “The Power behind the veil” also known as The Feast Of Roses.
