Book Review — Tiger Slayer by Ruby Lal (Author) and Molly Crabapple (Illustrator)

My take on the book:

Tiger Slayer is an illustrated biography of Nur Jahan, the only Empress who ruled along with an Emperor during the Mughal rule. The book starts with the birth of Mihr Un-Nisa in 1577 when her family migrated from Persia to India. While the Mughal prince Salim expressed interest in young Mihr, she was married off in 1594 at the age of seventeen to Ali Quli Beg, a Mughal officer.

After marriage Mihr moved to Burdwan with her husband and had a daughter Ladli in 1600. Meanwhile Emperor Akbar passed away and Prince Salim who is now called Jahangir succeeded his father. During a rebellion against the Emperor, due to misunderstanding, Quli was killed by the local soldiers. The imperial order summoned Mihr and daughter back to Agra and Emperor Jahangir married Mihr as his twentieth wife in 1611. Jahangir gave Mihr a new name — Nur Mahal, Light of the Palace.

From Mihr to Nur-Jahan Begam, to being famously known as the Tiger Slayer, to becoming a co-sovereign, to waging a battle to bring back her kidnapped husband, to helping orphaned girls, to presenting herself like a Goddess on their court balcony, to having coins minted in her name, to passing royal decrees — Nur accomplished what none of the other Mughal queens could ever think of. The story traces this journey of Mihr along with the Mughal rule, the rebellions, the parallel rise of her family members in the Mughal court.

The author earlier had a successful publication of Nur Jahan called The Empress, which has been re-narrated as Tiger Slayer to be relevant for Young Adult readers. The story is accompanied by exquisite illustrations by Molly Crabapple that capture the grandeur of the Mughal rule. The author mentions as closing comments how Nur’s prominence and accomplishments have been intentionally erased from some parts of history, hence books like the Tiger Slayer are important to read about the life of one of the most powerful Empress of Mughal times.

The extensive research done by the author reflects in the minute details captured in the story; I also liked how the author provides references of the historians who mentioned those life sequences, hence providing authenticity to the story. The story captures not just the rise of Nur but also the many challenges Emperors faced in those times, especially rebellion from their own family members and how Nur stayed as the power behind her husband in thwarting multiple problems, highlighting her presence of mind and political prowess on par with any other accomplished ruler.

While it is rich in historical detail and references, the fast paced narrative makes the political intrigue and battles of the Mughal court feel exciting and easy for young adult readers to follow.

My rating:

4/5.