Review of Escape from Harem

Tanushree Podder’s historical fiction set in the Mughal times is the first book in this genre that I have read by an Indian author. It gave me great pleasure to know that Indians are exploring this genre. While mythological fiction (such as the Shiva Trilogy, etc.) have become hugely popular, those are in the realm of fantasy and are not truly historical. However, Indian history is replete with events that provide ample material for an imaginative writer who can mould them to any genre — be it thriller, romance, suspense or mainstream fiction.

Amazingly enough, Mughal history had at one time been a source for a number of films way back in the 1940s and 1950s. Sohrab Mody was one of the great exponents of film in this genre and then there is Mughal-e-Azam, the love story of a prince and a court dancer that is still considered the greatest Indian film of all times. The story of how Prince Salim (who went on to become Emperor Jahangir) falls in love with Anarkali and defies his father, emperor Akbar, leading to a battle between father and son has become so embedded in popular culture that many still believe that the story is a part of history, not just a piece of excellent historical fiction. Read the full post here: http://aditebanerjie.com/indian-book-...