Empress
By Ruby Lal
The Astonishing Reign of Nur Jahan. Norton & Company, Inc., 2018.
Summary of Empress book by Ruby Lal
The captivating biography of an extraordinary woman who rose to power and influence as a female ruler of the Mughal Empire, who reigned during the seventeenth century and continues to inspire devotion among her countrymen.
Chapters in Empress book summary
What do you get from this book? The true story behind Nur Jahan’s remarkable reign over the Mughal Empire
Nur Jahan’s birth on the road from Persia to the Mughal Empire has been exaggerated in contradictory stories
Despite his temper, Emperor Akbar strove to make his Mughal Empire peaceful, respectful, and tolerant of all religions
In the Mughal Empire, boys received practical learning while girls were primed for marriage
The first meeting between Prince Salim and Nur is debated, but scholars know Quli sided with the prince during a revolt
When Quli conspired against Jahangir, he was killed and Nur was moved into the harem
Nur’s kindness, generosity, and hunting skills increased Jahangir’s admiration of her and helped her rise to power
As a battle with the Deccans erupted, Nur began issuing imperial orders and her fame spread
Nur’s prestige grew, even as she suffered a serious illness and worried about obstacles threatening her power
Death plagued Nur’s household as Shah Jahan rebelled against Jahangir and Nur’s popularity waned
The kidnapping of Jahangir and the empire falling under enemy control was a test of Nur’s bravery and loyalty
Just as power was restored to Jahangir, he died, and Nur’s power was in the most jeopardy yet
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Empress — Book Summary Snapshot
Who should read Empress book
- teachers and students
- anyone interested in feminist history
- anyone wanting to be inspired by a famous leader
About the author of Empress
Ruby Lal
Ruby Lal has devoted her professional studies to Indian and feminist history. She is a professor at Georgia’s Emory University and a Fellow at the Swedish Collegium for Advanced Studies. Her 2018 text, Empress: The Astonishing Reign of Nur Jahan, won the Georgia Author of the Year Award and was a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize.
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