by Abraham Eraly
The Mughal emperors were towering figures of history—rulers portrayed on an almost superhuman scale, wielding immense and absolute power. Their three-century-long reign represents one of the most significant and captivating eras in Indian history. Rather than focusing solely on the rise and decline of the empire—an exotic political system transplanted from Islamic Persia—this study explores the everyday realities of Mughal rulers and their Hindu subjects. Drawing on contemporary accounts and rich descriptive detail, it presents a vivid portrait of an India marked by striking contrasts and deep contradictions. Sacred harems existed alongside the practice of sati; brutal warfare coexisted with extraordinary artistic and cultural refinement. The period was defined by overwhelming wealth and luxury, moral excesses and unusual indulgences, as well as widespread poverty and hardship. From strange religious sects and the Mughal passion for formal gardens to violent female bandits and the private lives of the nobility, nearly every aspect of society is examined. The result is a comprehensive and compelling introduction to what is often regarded as India’s last Golden Age.
