Mistress of the Throne by Ruchir Gupta

"Mistress of the Throne" by  Ruchir Gupta -  Story of the unwed Mughal queen. 

This book is published by Shrishti publishers and distributors in 2014 and has 312 pages.

This is the story of Jahanara, first born daughter of Shahjahan and Mumtaz Mahal. The story starts with Shahjahan's crowning and takes us through death of Mumtaz, sibling rivalry, building of Taj Mahal and Shahajahanabad, fight for throne etc. 

Who was Jahanara? Why was she the mistress of the throne? What were her choices? Was there live in her life?

It's how Jahanara sees the world from behind the veil, behind the curtain. She is a lovely lady, extremely beautiful, a spitting image of her mother. She is also in charge of building 'The structure' that would be later known as Taj Mahal. She also designed Shahajahanabad, later known as Delhi. Her internal struggles about love and rivalry between her brothers Dara and Aurangzeb. Sister Jahanara's hate of her. Controversies and politics. 

Although she has everything, she is forbidden to one thing that she longs most. To be loved. Mughal princesses are not allowed to marry. She is in love with Gabriel Boughton, a British doctor. But can't marry him. She joins the Sufi Qadriya order along with Dara. Here she finds peace of mind. She is also a witness to simmering tension between Dara Shikoh and Aurangzeb. Her efforts of mediation are futile. She has to witness the bitter end of this fight. But she is loyal to the throne. Rumours of her affair with her father add to her misery.

The story is slow. Since Jahanara was restricted to Harem, she is normally away from action. The action comes to the readers as news or report, making it less exciting.  Character of Jahanara appears more helpless than in authority. Being queen of Mughal India, I expected her to wield more power. 

Author introduces mysticism and special powers to see what is happening elsewhere as literary liberty. It helps to take the story forward but appears incongruous. 

For one reason or other, I wansn't able to read this book continuously. It took more than a month to read it. This may be one of the reasons I found it less exciting. 

Credit to author for choosing to write about Jahanara, who despite being the queen is not talked about much. 

Why did I read this book? Mughal fiction. 

What I didn't like?  Not gripping. 

What did I like? Harem politics.

Read if toy have time.