The Begum of Awadh shows greater strategic sense and courage than all her generals put together. The Times, 1858.

“The lessons of the 1857 insurrection are very clear. No one likes another people conquering their territory, depriving them of their land, or forcing them to adopt better ideas under the threat of arms. In 1857, the British discovered what the United States are learning now: nothing radicalises a people so greatly or undermines moderate Islam to such an extent, as an aggressive intrusion.” William Dalrymple

he historical events and the heroes of this story are real. This saga is situated in Awadh, a kingdom in the north of India, equivalent in its heyday to today’s UttarPradesh, as vast as half of France. As it is a novel and not a biography, we have taken certain liberties while remaining true however to the characteristics of society at the
time.

Mughal-Library