A FEAST OF ROSES Paperback

Indu Sundaresan's "A Feast of Roses" is a captivating historical fiction novel and the second installment in her acclaimed Taj Mahal Trilogy, continuing the mesmerizing story of Mehrunnisa, who becomes the legendary Empress Nur Jahan. Picking up where "The Twentieth Wife" left off, the book plunges deeper into the opulent and often treacherous world of 17th-century Mughal India, detailing Nur Jahan's extraordinary rise to unprecedented power within Emperor Jahangir's court and harem. Despite being the twentieth and last wife, and without bearing the Emperor a son, she skillfully navigates fierce rivalries, political intrigues, and societal norms to become the de facto ruler, issuing imperial orders, minting coins in her name, and deeply influencing the empire's policies. Sundaresan vividly portrays the sacrifices Nur Jahan makes and the alliances she forges—often with her father, brother, and even her stepson, Prince Khurram (later Shah Jahan)—to secure her position and legacy, all while maintaining the profound love of Emperor Jahangir.