'Empire of the Moghul : Traitors in the Shadows', the sixth in this series, is probably the only book, which actually stood alone, and I do not mean that in a good way. Of course, it does
start from the part where Shahjahan is already in prison, and Aurangazeb has
taken over the Peacock Throne, ably supported by his sister, Roshanara. But it really does not have the same kind of grip, which its earlier parts had.
As we move ahead, we are caught in
Aurangazeb’s bloodied war with his brothers, and him taking on the kingdom. He finds
himself isolated, and depending on Roshanara at first and Jahaanara, towards
the end only. The interesting part is the one with Shivaji, as his imprisonment and
eventually his escape along with his son, that make for good reading.
The account is caught between the way Aurangazeb
rules his nation, he seems to be battling the demons of all the people he had
gotten killed, and also his decision to base everything on religion, despite
Jahanaara opposing his views.
The second half of the story seems like a war,
between himself, and his son Akbar and the indecision between Muazzam and Zebunissa
and himself, too. Opposing views rule the roost, as Aurangazeb attempts to keep
making his views supreme. His only support seems to be Udipuri Mahal, his wife
who again is trying to raise support enough for her own son, Kam Baksh.
This book, despite its attempts failed to grab my
interest as the earlier ones had. There is a zeal, which could have been
brought in, considering Aurangazeb’s views and the people who had to suffer due
to them. This book definitely is not at the bar, where the earlier ones are at. It probably ran off before I could catch up with it...
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