The narrator is the Maharaj Kumar, heir to the throne of Mewar in Rajasthan in the early 1500s. His new wife, a young princess, declares that she is already married to the god Krishna and spends her days singing devotional songs. The prince is publicly mocked as a man cuckolded by a god, and he is privately consumed by jealousy, curiosity and an odd tenderness.
Alongside the marriage, the prince deals with palace intrigue among his father Rana Sanga's many wives and sons, invents new military tactics and administrative reforms, and watches the rise of Babur in the north. His voice is modern in its scepticism and wit, making the historical setting feel startlingly immediate.
Kiran Nagarkar's novel reimagines the life of the husband of the poet-saint Mirabai, a figure history barely records. Long and richly detailed, it won the Sahitya Akademi Award in 2001 and is admired for turning legend into a psychological drama about faith, power and love.
Book details
| Author | Kiran Nagarkar |
|---|---|
| First published | 1997 |
| Original language | English |
| Genre | Historical fiction |
| Type | Fiction |
| Pages (approx.) | 610 |
| Setting | Chittor and the kingdom of Mewar, Rajasthan, early 16th century |
| Awards | Sahitya Akademi Award 2001 |
Themes
- Devotion and desire
- Jealousy
- Statecraft and war
- Masculinity
- Faith
Who should read it
Readers who like intelligent historical fiction told by a witty, troubled narrator.