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Empress

Audiobook
Nonfiction: Biography, History
Unabridged   9 hour(s)
Publication date: 08/28/2018

Empress

The Astonishing Reign of Nur Jahan

Available from major retailers or BUY FROM AMAZON
Audio CD ISBN:9781684412488
Digital Download ISBN:9781684412495

Summary

Four centuries ago, a Muslim woman ruled an empire. Her legend still lives, but her story was lost—until now.

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Product Description

In 1611, thirty-four-year-old Nur Jahan, daughter of a Persian noble and widow of a subversive official, became the twentieth and favorite wife of the Emperor Jahangir, who ruled the vast 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 ultimately 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 in Renaissance Europe, including Elizabeth I. Here, she finally receives her due in a deeply researched and evocative biography that awakens us to a fascinating history.

Reviews/Praise

“Suzanne Toren ably narrates Lal's well-researched account of the Indian cosovereign's life—from her birth to aristocratic Persian parents to her short-lived first marriage and life as the twentieth wife of Emperor Jahangir.” —AudioFile

“The author's descriptions of Agra are superb, and her detailed explanations of Nur's upbringing reflect her long study, deep understanding, and modern take on a little-explored subject. . . . [Nur] must be held as one of history's great independent, powerful women. A page-turning, eye-opening biography that shatters our impressions of India as established by the British Raj. ” -Kirkus Reviews Starred

“Lal makes clear her subject’s relevance. . . . Closely researched and vividly written, this telling finds that the truth is as fantastic and fascinating as myth.” -Publishers Weekly Starred

“A vivid look at [Nur Jahan] and where she lived. An excellent choice for popular history readers interested in women rulers.” —Library Journal

“An engrossing tale of female power.” —Shelf Awareness

Author Bio

Ruby Lal is professor of South Asian history at Emory University. She is the author of Coming of Age in Nineteenth Century India: The Girl-Child and the Art of Playfulness and Domesticity and Power in the Early Mughal World.