A luminous biography.It is a captivating account, its depth of detail recreating a world whose constraints of lineage would seem to preclude the advance of an unknown, self-made, widowed queen.Lal's book is an act of feminist historiography.--Rafia Zakaria, Guardian Lal'sintriguing biography, with its chronology of [Nur Jahan's] relatively swift rise to powerand even swifter descent, restores [her] to her full splendour.--Jane Ciabattari, BBC There's much more to the story [of Nur Jahan], as historian Ruby Lal reveals in her fascinating new book --Randy Dotinga, Christian Science Monitor Lal has done a service to readers interested in the Mughal period and the many forgotten or poorly remembered women of Indian history.--Vikas Bajaj, New York Times Book Review Ms. Lal has not only written a revisionist feminist biography; she has also provided a vivid picture of the Mughal court, with its luxuries, beauties, intrigues and horrors. Moreover, at a time when India's Hindu-nationalist government chooses to emphasise one strain in the country's history, she offers a reminder of the diversity of Indian tradition.

--Economist Ruby Lal's marvelous account of Empress Nur Jahan's life isas intriguing, inspiring, and relevant to us today in 21st-century America asit was to her times in 17th century India.--Azar Nafisi, author of Reading Lolita in Tehran This is an outstanding book, not only incredibly important but also a fabulous piece of writing. Here, India's greatest empress is reborn in all her fascinating glory in a luminescent account of her life and times. Ruby Lal has written a classic--one of the best biographies to come out this year and certainly the best ever of Nur Jahan.--Amanda Foreman, author of The World Made by Women What an extraordinary and detailed account of a remarkable woman--amazing! A very impressive, thorough, poetic, humane work.--Deepa Mehta, filmmaker and screenwriter An enchanting evocation of the brilliant Mughal Empire and a tender tribute to India's first female leader. Lush and sensuous, a jewel box of a book.--Rosalind Miles, author of Who Cooked the Last Supper? The Women's History of the World 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 review) 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 review).