Set in the 1980s, this book is a perfect blend of travel and history. It retraces the life of Mumtaz Mahal, whose love drove Shah Jahan to erect the magnificent Taj Mahal in Agra. It offers a fascinating glimpse into the little-known life and times of the Queen and her journey across India. Apart from the deliciously mysterious story of Arjumand (later famous as Mumtaz Mahal), what fascinated me was the enchanting account of the author’s rail journeys. The trials and tribulations that made train journeys in the 1980s a veritable event in the lives of ordinary Indians make for an entertaining read indeed.
Timeri’s search leads him through Rajasthan, Delhi, and Madhya Pradesh where he is met with colorful characters. He travels through the rough terrains of India with his wife and antique-collecting sister facing events that are both frustrating and sublime. The narrative shuttles between different timelines and seamlessly merge the past with the present. We are left with a feeling of familiarity with the queen who inspired such deep passion in the heart of the mighty Mughal emperor. I was left with a sense of melancholy as the book ends with the author paying a āprivate pilgrimageā to Mumtaz’s grave in Burhanpur. It is definitely recommended for those who want to know more about the woman who has been immortalized in marble by her lovelorn husband.
