'Daughters of the Sun' - Empresses, Queens & Begums of the Mughal Empire' by Ira Mukhoty is a brilliant book that sheds the light on an unknown and unsung pillar of the Mughal Empire - the Zenana/Hammam. The book is based on painstaking research that details the lives and times of Mughal Women, right from the selfless Khanzada to the guileless Zeenat un Nissa. When I started reading this book, I did not honestly expect it to be that good, but it was extremely impressive.
One could clearly understand how Royal Mughal women shaped destiny of the Empire in myriad ways. For example, there was the extremely talented Gulbandan, whose memoirs of Humayan were revealing and full of warmth as well as the doted Mumtaz-Mahal whose claim to glory lies solely on that tear drop of love set in the annals of time - Taj Mahal! In fact, for too long, the European version of sensationalism took precedence that we needed a fresh approach to actually appreciate the role played by these graceful Shehzadis. These were not Princesses roaming in the darkest dreams conceived by perverted travelers, but rather women who traded with Companies of Europe, undertook great architectural projects, patronized fine arts, rose and fell with male contenders to the Peacock throne.
And that awesome Epilogue - when the Sun finally set on the Mughal Empire - what great calamity fell upon these beloved daughters of the Sun! My heart weeps for them. Wish I could unread this wonderful book and read it all over again!
