TIGER SLAYER

An illustrated biography of the remarkable 17th-century Mughal empress.

Historian Lal demonstrates exemplary historical methodology throughout as she traces the life of Nur Jahan, 20th wife of Emperor Jahangir and widely considered to have wielded unprecedented power for a woman at the time. Lal clearly identifies primary sources like the Akbarnama (an official chronicle of Emperor Akbar’s reign) and honestly acknowledges gaps in the historical record. Thoughtfully placed informational asides explain Mughal customs, pronunciations, and titles. Crabapple’s full-color illustrations transform the pages into windows onto Mughal India’s opulent world, depicting elaborate court ceremonies and bustling bazaars. The book comes alive through rich sensory details. Lal’s account of political intrigue rivals any modern thriller as she navigates the complex family rivalries, intricate schemes for power, and strategic marriages that characterized Mughal court life. She skillfully illuminates Nur’s extraordinary accomplishments—leading troops into battle, hunting tigers, commissioning architecture, issuing currency in her own name—while consistently describing her subject using words like wise, intentional, and brilliant. This unrelentingly positive portrayal, while inspiring, represents the book’s only real weakness; given the extensive research underlying this work, a more balanced view that acknowledged Nur’s human complexities would have added depth. The substantial backmatter reveals that this accessible work is a product of Lal’s extensive research for her adult biography, lending additional credibility to an already well-documented narrative that successfully combines scholarly rigor with engaging storytelling.

Sets a new standard for works celebrating overlooked historical figures.