Princess of Time

 

Fate had decreed that she should be the Queen of the world and the Princess of time.” – Iqbal Nama-i-Jahangiri of Mutamad Khan.

 

I love reading the tales of strong female characters from the past. There’s something very fascinating about the opinionated queens and princesses with strong characters that make my heart gleam with respect for them. Mehrunnisa is one such character. Reading about Nur Jahan in history textbooks always left me wanting for some more snippets of her life, more glimpses into her royal life. One fine day I came across this book that invited me into its enchanted pages and took me on a journey on which I experienced the royal life and splendor as well as deceit and power games. Ignorant I didn’t have an idea that ‘The Feast of Roses’ is the second book of a trilogy. It was a book I picked up in the library. Only when I started reading it did I realize that I am missing out on something. And at that very moment, I fell in love with the Taj Trilogy.

Another thing to be noted here is that though I pride myself to be a very organized person I first read the second part, then the third book ‘the shadow princess” and then touched on the first book ‘ the twentieth wife’ of the Taj Trilogy. And this blunder only motivated me to read the books again but in a chronological way. So here I am, completely in love with the second book and utterly fascinated by Nissa.

One great thing about reading is that it takes us to unknown lands and past periods. While reading this book I totally enjoyed the Mughal era art, their architecture and even the cuisine. Mentions of royal delicacies made my mouth water while I marvelled at the delicate art and carvings on the pillars and jharokhas. Talking of jharokhas reminds me of the incident mentioned in the book of Jahangir letting Mehrunnisa stand along with him on the royal jharokha. It was unheard and unseen for a woman, and a woman belonging to a royal family to be seen in that place, the place that reflected power. The fan girl inside me truly danced with happiness. Silly me.

As I continued reading the book, several layers and aspects of this powerful lady were laid on the plate, each decorated with petals and perfumes. Pearls adorned these words as they did on her slender neck. The quality that separated her from the other queens and empresses of that era is that she didn’t shy away from asking what she wanted. She spoke without fear and had no qualms about making her ideas known. This quality is rarely seen in ladies of royal families who were constantly taught to keep their heads down and be soft and polite. Mehrunnisa was anything but soft. She was stubborn, calculating, shrewd and loyal. She knew the privileges and special treatment that Jahangir had given her and she was grateful for it. While reading we came across several incidents that highlight this.

She was truly a rose. Beautiful, mesmerizing, spreading its fragrance to the far corners of the world but unapproachable, armed with thorns to hurt those who dare to come close.

This book has all the elements I love reading about. Love, power, plots and games endanger the crown. This book has it all. The clothing styles of that era, the jewellery, customs, hunger for power, state affairs looked after and wielding of real power from behind the veil, the rise of distinct architecture and the personality and times of Mehrunnisa completely enchant us and take us on a journey we love to be a part of.

So, keep reading!