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Ferdowsnama
In sixteenth-century India, warrior Amar Singh, tracker Jingu, artist Qamaruz Zaman and fire-scarred scholar Ferdows travel through a land teeming with clans, languages and deities, stealthily rigging the emperor’s dominion over man, beast and demon.
The unlikely quartet prove adept at engineering spectacles reflecting the Great Moghul’s divine right to rule. Qamaruz Zaman and Jingu’s acting abilities are as sublime as their sketching and tracking; Amar Singh excels at violence; and Ferdows is a skilled linguist and healer. In a series of disguises, they intercept a rogue elephant attacking a riverside caravanserai, face a liger in a subterranean complex under a desert kingdom, and confront a demon in an animistic community in a remote mountain valley. The Great Moghul takes credit for each hunt, and this strategy of empire expansion seems to be working.
But there are challenges. Qamaruz Zaman is frail, hedonistic and allergic to fur. Jingu has dreams of transcending his caste but fears they will only ever be dreams. Ferdows is on a hunt but doesn’t like hurting things. And Amar Singh is a narcissist who cares only about honour and reclaiming lost glory. By the time the quartet reaches the harem city of Zikri to investigate a mysterious death during a symposium on metaphysics, the differences of temperament, belief and ambition between them are causing issues.
In Zikri, Jingu and Qamaruz Zaman are sidelined, Amar Singh learns there is an imperial hunter other than the Great Moghul, and Ferdows the storyteller becomes the story.
The unlikely quartet prove adept at engineering spectacles reflecting the Great Moghul’s divine right to rule. Qamaruz Zaman and Jingu’s acting abilities are as sublime as their sketching and tracking; Amar Singh excels at violence; and Ferdows is a skilled linguist and healer. In a series of disguises, they intercept a rogue elephant attacking a riverside caravanserai, face a liger in a subterranean complex under a desert kingdom, and confront a demon in an animistic community in a remote mountain valley. The Great Moghul takes credit for each hunt, and this strategy of empire expansion seems to be working.
But there are challenges. Qamaruz Zaman is frail, hedonistic and allergic to fur. Jingu has dreams of transcending his caste but fears they will only ever be dreams. Ferdows is on a hunt but doesn’t like hurting things. And Amar Singh is a narcissist who cares only about honour and reclaiming lost glory. By the time the quartet reaches the harem city of Zikri to investigate a mysterious death during a symposium on metaphysics, the differences of temperament, belief and ambition between them are causing issues.
In Zikri, Jingu and Qamaruz Zaman are sidelined, Amar Singh learns there is an imperial hunter other than the Great Moghul, and Ferdows the storyteller becomes the story.
186 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 28, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 26, 2025
Shandana is an auto-buy writer for me. And I would have bought this if it had been available in my country. It was a gift in every way imaginable. What great pace; such narrative dexterity; mastery over language and the story! This book was a joy from start to finish.
January 19, 2026
Shandana Minhas's short novel stands out above all for its beautiful prose. Describe as it does a semi-historical and semi-fantastical landscape and creatures mythical and real, it is often quite exquisite in its description of the exotic, even as it hums constantly with a subtle critique of politics and its exercise in the pursuit and consolidation of power.
Set in the sixteenth century during the time of the Great Mughal (based as it appears on Emperor Akbar and his reign) it describes the multiple exploits of an adventurous quartet - the enigmatic female narrator Ferdows, the warrior Amar Singh, the artist Qamaruz Zaman, and the tracker Jingu - as they track an escape rogue royal elephant attacking a riverside caravanserai; a liger in a desert kingdom; a demon in a remote mountain valley; and a murder in the harem city of Zikri. The descriptions are quite wonderful and gradually we get to find out about the complex personalities, compulsions and mutual relationship of the four characters as they battle menaces real and mythical. Every adventure leads up to the Grand Mughal arriving as the vanquisher and the triumphant rescuer thus underlining how the work of the empire is undertaken, how monarchs manufacture and accumulate awe and grandeur, how myth-making occurs and how power is consolidated. At the same time, the novel also pursues themes of how certain voices are elevated and others suppressed, how official chronicles give primacy to certain things and diminish or erase others, and how history relies so heavily on the chronicles that survive.
In terms of the writing it is a very ambitious commingling and medley of speculative fiction, historical fiction, a detective story, an adventure story, and a feminist narrative and does succeed at various levels. My only concern is that while I am all for pursuing so many different styles and genres I felt that at times the fast-paced adventure narrative did not quite gel, flow with, and allow sufficient space to the more meditative introspections; one thought that given the serious, complex and compelling themes of empire, power, gender, and historiography that were being critically examined, the multiplicity of events and the fairly short chapters somewhat cramped and crowded out opportunities for greater pause and deeper reflection that one desired. In other words, the narrative could be much too fast-paced and full of events and descriptions (exquisite as they are) at times to capture all that Ferdows's multifarious and rebellious chronicle set out to explore. Ferdows remains somewhat enigmatic (not necessarily a bad thing) but she is so unique, persuasive and intriguing that one wanted to learn even more of her history and the intricate workings of her mind. Having said this this is nevertheless a unique and undoubtedly evocative read.
To sum it up, Shandana Minhas's most recent novel Ferdowsnama is impactful and compelling in its thematic and stylistic explorations and quite exquisite in its prose. Most readers of Pakistani fiction in English appear to be fixated on a very few and over-hyped books whereas such highly inventive and accomplished fiction from local writers deserves much greater attention. This should hopefully be getting printed and available in Pakistan soon.
Set in the sixteenth century during the time of the Great Mughal (based as it appears on Emperor Akbar and his reign) it describes the multiple exploits of an adventurous quartet - the enigmatic female narrator Ferdows, the warrior Amar Singh, the artist Qamaruz Zaman, and the tracker Jingu - as they track an escape rogue royal elephant attacking a riverside caravanserai; a liger in a desert kingdom; a demon in a remote mountain valley; and a murder in the harem city of Zikri. The descriptions are quite wonderful and gradually we get to find out about the complex personalities, compulsions and mutual relationship of the four characters as they battle menaces real and mythical. Every adventure leads up to the Grand Mughal arriving as the vanquisher and the triumphant rescuer thus underlining how the work of the empire is undertaken, how monarchs manufacture and accumulate awe and grandeur, how myth-making occurs and how power is consolidated. At the same time, the novel also pursues themes of how certain voices are elevated and others suppressed, how official chronicles give primacy to certain things and diminish or erase others, and how history relies so heavily on the chronicles that survive.
In terms of the writing it is a very ambitious commingling and medley of speculative fiction, historical fiction, a detective story, an adventure story, and a feminist narrative and does succeed at various levels. My only concern is that while I am all for pursuing so many different styles and genres I felt that at times the fast-paced adventure narrative did not quite gel, flow with, and allow sufficient space to the more meditative introspections; one thought that given the serious, complex and compelling themes of empire, power, gender, and historiography that were being critically examined, the multiplicity of events and the fairly short chapters somewhat cramped and crowded out opportunities for greater pause and deeper reflection that one desired. In other words, the narrative could be much too fast-paced and full of events and descriptions (exquisite as they are) at times to capture all that Ferdows's multifarious and rebellious chronicle set out to explore. Ferdows remains somewhat enigmatic (not necessarily a bad thing) but she is so unique, persuasive and intriguing that one wanted to learn even more of her history and the intricate workings of her mind. Having said this this is nevertheless a unique and undoubtedly evocative read.
To sum it up, Shandana Minhas's most recent novel Ferdowsnama is impactful and compelling in its thematic and stylistic explorations and quite exquisite in its prose. Most readers of Pakistani fiction in English appear to be fixated on a very few and over-hyped books whereas such highly inventive and accomplished fiction from local writers deserves much greater attention. This should hopefully be getting printed and available in Pakistan soon.
March 21, 2025
A poetic rendition of adventures
Ferdowsnama, authored by Shandana Minhas published by Penguin Random House, is a poetic rendition of adventures. The story is filled with intrigue and challenges. It is about a series of episodes that involve four key characters - a warrior, a tracker, an artist, and a scholar.
At the heart of the story is Ferdows, the scholar and the only woman in the group, who documents their journey. The tale is narrated through her perspective, blending history, adventure, and poetic storytelling.
They are travelling across lands overcoming obstacles and solving mysteries to help the Great Moghul in establishing his reign. While they do all the hard work dedicatedly, the Great Moghul takes all the credit, using their efforts as a strategy for expanding his empire.
They encounter a rogue elephant, face mythical creatures like a liger, battle hidden demons, and even solve a murder mystery. However, their personal conflicts and differing ambitions threaten to derail their mission.
This is Shandana Minhas’ fifth book, but my first read of hers. I found her writing style poetic, but at a few spots I could not understand the narrative. In the beginning, it was a bit difficult to connect with the characters, as there isn’t much background provided on these four individuals. That said, the book has its charms, and the cover is absolutely stunning!
Overall, Ferdowsnama is a unique blend of adventure, mystery, and poetic storytelling.
Ferdowsnama, authored by Shandana Minhas published by Penguin Random House, is a poetic rendition of adventures. The story is filled with intrigue and challenges. It is about a series of episodes that involve four key characters - a warrior, a tracker, an artist, and a scholar.
At the heart of the story is Ferdows, the scholar and the only woman in the group, who documents their journey. The tale is narrated through her perspective, blending history, adventure, and poetic storytelling.
They are travelling across lands overcoming obstacles and solving mysteries to help the Great Moghul in establishing his reign. While they do all the hard work dedicatedly, the Great Moghul takes all the credit, using their efforts as a strategy for expanding his empire.
They encounter a rogue elephant, face mythical creatures like a liger, battle hidden demons, and even solve a murder mystery. However, their personal conflicts and differing ambitions threaten to derail their mission.
This is Shandana Minhas’ fifth book, but my first read of hers. I found her writing style poetic, but at a few spots I could not understand the narrative. In the beginning, it was a bit difficult to connect with the characters, as there isn’t much background provided on these four individuals. That said, the book has its charms, and the cover is absolutely stunning!
Overall, Ferdowsnama is a unique blend of adventure, mystery, and poetic storytelling.
March 12, 2025
What's not to love when you read a gripping plot with vivid and suspenseful elements! Ferdowsnama by Shandana Minhas is one such fab read.
Four equipped travellers, namely the tracker Jingu, Qamaruz Zaman- the artist, Amar Singh- the warrior and Ferdows, the scholar who narrates this tale traverse through the subcontinent doing their best to spread the Great Moghul's reputation as a generous and righteous ruler.
The long journey is nothing short of an adventure with thrill, danger and rewards in equal measure.
Encounters with the locals, acquainting oneself with their ways and leaving a mark about the emperor's glory. There are occasional rifts between the four which bring this book to life, unveiling their character, intent along with their loyalty to the Great Moghul.
Ferdowsnama, is seamlessly narrated, the reader lives the book rather than merely reading it. The brilliance in crafting the characters to track, discover, manipulate and record the era of the ruler in short and breezy chapters is impressive. There's a pervading suspense until the very end (which I loved the most!)
Do read this refreshing historical fiction. It's entertaining with a glimpse of the era gone by.
Four equipped travellers, namely the tracker Jingu, Qamaruz Zaman- the artist, Amar Singh- the warrior and Ferdows, the scholar who narrates this tale traverse through the subcontinent doing their best to spread the Great Moghul's reputation as a generous and righteous ruler.
The long journey is nothing short of an adventure with thrill, danger and rewards in equal measure.
Encounters with the locals, acquainting oneself with their ways and leaving a mark about the emperor's glory. There are occasional rifts between the four which bring this book to life, unveiling their character, intent along with their loyalty to the Great Moghul.
Ferdowsnama, is seamlessly narrated, the reader lives the book rather than merely reading it. The brilliance in crafting the characters to track, discover, manipulate and record the era of the ruler in short and breezy chapters is impressive. There's a pervading suspense until the very end (which I loved the most!)
Do read this refreshing historical fiction. It's entertaining with a glimpse of the era gone by.
March 24, 2025
We have been so shaped by our history and times that we expect scholars and writers to be men only because men rule. Isn't it so? Do admit it! Ferdowsnama breaks through a lot of perceived notions and patriarchal mindsets through invisible means.
My observation is that the story can be a little tricky to grasp in between but if you see the whole picture - it touches upon real people but with a carefully and deliberately shown 'dismissal' of everyone. Tirkot, Zikri and the places mentioned make it a travelogue along with a narrative framework. One question pops up - Wasn't 'The Light of the World' - Nur Jahan? If you place history beside this book you will realise that Nur Jahan as Jehangir's wife was referred to in the book though the Great Mughal's gender always hinted at it being a man.
Overall, the social fabric, the lives of people, the cultural enmeshing, everything gets women with politics and warfare into this unusual telling of tales in Mughal Era.
My observation is that the story can be a little tricky to grasp in between but if you see the whole picture - it touches upon real people but with a carefully and deliberately shown 'dismissal' of everyone. Tirkot, Zikri and the places mentioned make it a travelogue along with a narrative framework. One question pops up - Wasn't 'The Light of the World' - Nur Jahan? If you place history beside this book you will realise that Nur Jahan as Jehangir's wife was referred to in the book though the Great Mughal's gender always hinted at it being a man.
Overall, the social fabric, the lives of people, the cultural enmeshing, everything gets women with politics and warfare into this unusual telling of tales in Mughal Era.
May 4, 2025
Truly a treat. Wonderful read. It's the kind of book that will give you a whole different story everytime you read it.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews