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The Crows of Agra
The year is 1562 A.D. Just into his twentieth year, Akbar readies himself to emerge from behind the veil and stake his claim to the Mughal throne.
But the figure of his regent, Bairam Khan, looms large in his path. After an exchange of blows and wits, Bairam Khan is subdued. Akbar forgives him, and forces upon him a pilgrimage to Mecca. On the eve of his departure, Bairam Khan is found murdered in his chamber.
With the help of Mahesh Das — a Brahmin who Akbar has befriended — Akbar must find out who killed Bairam Khan. But in the insidious Mughal court — a hotbed of intrigue and suspicion — danger lurks at every step. One false step could cost them their lives.
But the figure of his regent, Bairam Khan, looms large in his path. After an exchange of blows and wits, Bairam Khan is subdued. Akbar forgives him, and forces upon him a pilgrimage to Mecca. On the eve of his departure, Bairam Khan is found murdered in his chamber.
With the help of Mahesh Das — a Brahmin who Akbar has befriended — Akbar must find out who killed Bairam Khan. But in the insidious Mughal court — a hotbed of intrigue and suspicion — danger lurks at every step. One false step could cost them their lives.
284 pages, Paperback
First published October 20, 2015
About the author
Sharath Komarraju
135 books217 followersSharath Komarraju is an author of fiction and nonfiction based in Bangalore, India. Once a software engineer, now he writes for a living, and on lazy days he watches cricket and talks to his wife (often at the same time).
His most popular work to date is the Hastinapur series, in which he speaks into the silences of the Mahabharata story through the epic's many women characters.
His most popular work to date is the Hastinapur series, in which he speaks into the silences of the Mahabharata story through the epic's many women characters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
November 30, 2015
(A word about that rating. Three stars for the plot, one star for the horrifyingly bad historicity).
Agra in the 16th century. The Mughal emperor Akbar, just twenty years old, is caught in court intrigue. On the one side is the regent Bairam Khan, who has been beside Akbar all these years guarding his throne for him—but who now seems to be wanting the throne for himself. On the other side are Akbar's ambitious foster mother, Maham Anga, and her son Adham Khan, also looking to take power into their own hands. And there are others close to Akbar: his empress Ruqaiya, who has so far not been able to bear an heir to the throne; his old aunt Gulbadan; and Bairam Khan's young wife, Salima, who has been in love with Akbar these past few years.
When Akbar encounters a quick-witted Brahmin, Mahesh Das, in an episode involving bandits, the emperor ends up taking Mahesh Das back to court with him. Fortuitously enough, because soon after, Bairam Khan—on the eve of setting out for Mecca at Akbar's orders—is found stabbed to death in his chamber. And Mahesh Das receives an order from Akbar: find the culprit.
I liked the way this book was plotted. The court intrigue, the constant hide-and-seek between one faction and another. The hidden agendas, the obscure motives. The characterization, too, was good, especially when it came to the central character, Mahesh Das, and the women in the tale. The mystery is interesting, and Mahesh Das's investigation of it is intriguing.
Where The Crows of Agra fell absolutely and embarrassingly flat on its face was in the research part of it. Cherry trees growing in Agra (and bearing both flowers and ripe fruit simultaneously)? Mountain peaks visible from Agra? Gulbadan wearing a sari? Chairs, dining tables, oak doors and bedsteads? Knitting needles? Food carts bearing olives and cheese? Potatoes? Corn? Snuff, 'vest-coats', kurtas? An aunt being referred to as ‘Foofi’ (and for all those rushing to tell me that’s not incorrect—it is. The correct word is phupi. There’s a difference)? Worst of all, royal ladies receiving strange men, unveiled, in the harem? Even attending dinner parties with men who aren't related to them?
I admit some of these are probably just me being persnickety. But the errors flow so thick and fast and are so cringeworthy, I couldn't help but be somewhat relieved when I reached the end of this book.
Agra in the 16th century. The Mughal emperor Akbar, just twenty years old, is caught in court intrigue. On the one side is the regent Bairam Khan, who has been beside Akbar all these years guarding his throne for him—but who now seems to be wanting the throne for himself. On the other side are Akbar's ambitious foster mother, Maham Anga, and her son Adham Khan, also looking to take power into their own hands. And there are others close to Akbar: his empress Ruqaiya, who has so far not been able to bear an heir to the throne; his old aunt Gulbadan; and Bairam Khan's young wife, Salima, who has been in love with Akbar these past few years.
When Akbar encounters a quick-witted Brahmin, Mahesh Das, in an episode involving bandits, the emperor ends up taking Mahesh Das back to court with him. Fortuitously enough, because soon after, Bairam Khan—on the eve of setting out for Mecca at Akbar's orders—is found stabbed to death in his chamber. And Mahesh Das receives an order from Akbar: find the culprit.
I liked the way this book was plotted. The court intrigue, the constant hide-and-seek between one faction and another. The hidden agendas, the obscure motives. The characterization, too, was good, especially when it came to the central character, Mahesh Das, and the women in the tale. The mystery is interesting, and Mahesh Das's investigation of it is intriguing.
Where The Crows of Agra fell absolutely and embarrassingly flat on its face was in the research part of it. Cherry trees growing in Agra (and bearing both flowers and ripe fruit simultaneously)? Mountain peaks visible from Agra? Gulbadan wearing a sari? Chairs, dining tables, oak doors and bedsteads? Knitting needles? Food carts bearing olives and cheese? Potatoes? Corn? Snuff, 'vest-coats', kurtas? An aunt being referred to as ‘Foofi’ (and for all those rushing to tell me that’s not incorrect—it is. The correct word is phupi. There’s a difference)? Worst of all, royal ladies receiving strange men, unveiled, in the harem? Even attending dinner parties with men who aren't related to them?
I admit some of these are probably just me being persnickety. But the errors flow so thick and fast and are so cringeworthy, I couldn't help but be somewhat relieved when I reached the end of this book.
November 30, 2015
For someone who's always seen Birbal as more of a Jeeves, it was interesting to see him play a Hercule Poirot instead. I really did enjoy the plot and the characters (as is usual with Sharath, there are a lot of them) but the difference here is that each one is clearly etched out so there's no confusion whatsoever. I read this one go, as the build up of suspense was really well done!
The best way to enjoy this book is to treat it as pure fiction and not try to relate with reality. Because as some people have pointed it out, you will indeed find some absurdities but the authors says it upfront to expect this so one can't really blame him.
The best way to enjoy this book is to treat it as pure fiction and not try to relate with reality. Because as some people have pointed it out, you will indeed find some absurdities but the authors says it upfront to expect this so one can't really blame him.
May 29, 2020
‘Remember, Jalal, that when you are a king, you are no one’s son and no one’s father. You are surrounded by family and well-wishers, but you walk alone.’
1562 A.D. Agra.
After winning the battle of Panipat Bairam Khan, the regent had put the 12 years old Akbar on the Mughal Throne, but now 8 years later he himself coveted for the throne.
Akbar, now 20 years old lad prepares himself to emerge from behind the veil and rule individually from the Mughal throne. But Bairam Khan looms large in his path between the throne.
After an exchange of blows and wits, Bairam Khan is subdued. Akbar forgives him and ordered him to go Mecca on pilgrimage. On the eve of his departure, Bairam Khan is found murdered in his own chamber.
‘So, this man, who built this empire with his two hands all these years, who ruled Agra as regent, fought and won countless wars for the emperor has no one in the royal household who will shed a tear for him?’
Akbar grieved on the death of his beloved Khan baba appointed Mahesh Das – a Brahmin with whom he had recently befriended – to find out the murderer.
But inside the Mughal harem of Agra - a hotbed of intrigue and suspicion – everyone is a potential suspect – a Crow. How will Mahesh Das, an outsider discover which one among the Crows of Agra is the actual murderer?
How many crows are there in Agra? How many crows are there in the Imperial Palace? Which one of these crows killed Bairam Khan? And more importantly, why?
Review:
🔪The beautiful cover with two crows looming over the sky of Agra and the title is perfectly apt to the story. I liked the map of the imperial Mughal harem given inside the book for a better understanding of the setting.
🔪The book is set in the Mughal era of Agra with actual historical persons and events, but the story is entirely fictionalized which the author had mentioned at the beginning of the book. So don't look for historical accuracy.
🔪The book had lots of grammatical error which break the flow of my reading and make me annoyed. I think this could have been avoided with proper proofreading and edit.
🔪The author had perfectly brought back the historical characters into life and gives them his own personal touch. Akbar and Mahesh Das' character arc is well developed. My personal favorite is Gulbadan begum, the all-knowing Ghost of the harem.
🔪The author's writing is crisp and descriptive. I feel descriptions are very important in any historical fiction book, but nobody likes to read long description paragraphs which bombarded you with lots of information instead of showing them.
🔪The murder takes place at 25 % of the book. Everyone is a potential suspect having their own motive to murder. The suspense is gradually build up in such a way that makes you guessing till the end who is the actual murderer.
🔪The climax is mindblowing. The answer lies not in which one of the crows in Agra is the murderer, but in how many crows are there in Agra. Read the book to know what I am talking about.
Overall The Crows of Agra was a fun and quick read for me which I completed in one sitting. If you like suspense thriller and murder mysteries then this book is a perfect read for you.
My Rating:⭐⭐⭐
1562 A.D. Agra.
After winning the battle of Panipat Bairam Khan, the regent had put the 12 years old Akbar on the Mughal Throne, but now 8 years later he himself coveted for the throne.
Akbar, now 20 years old lad prepares himself to emerge from behind the veil and rule individually from the Mughal throne. But Bairam Khan looms large in his path between the throne.
After an exchange of blows and wits, Bairam Khan is subdued. Akbar forgives him and ordered him to go Mecca on pilgrimage. On the eve of his departure, Bairam Khan is found murdered in his own chamber.
‘So, this man, who built this empire with his two hands all these years, who ruled Agra as regent, fought and won countless wars for the emperor has no one in the royal household who will shed a tear for him?’
Akbar grieved on the death of his beloved Khan baba appointed Mahesh Das – a Brahmin with whom he had recently befriended – to find out the murderer.
But inside the Mughal harem of Agra - a hotbed of intrigue and suspicion – everyone is a potential suspect – a Crow. How will Mahesh Das, an outsider discover which one among the Crows of Agra is the actual murderer?
How many crows are there in Agra? How many crows are there in the Imperial Palace? Which one of these crows killed Bairam Khan? And more importantly, why?
Review:
🔪The beautiful cover with two crows looming over the sky of Agra and the title is perfectly apt to the story. I liked the map of the imperial Mughal harem given inside the book for a better understanding of the setting.
🔪The book is set in the Mughal era of Agra with actual historical persons and events, but the story is entirely fictionalized which the author had mentioned at the beginning of the book. So don't look for historical accuracy.
🔪The book had lots of grammatical error which break the flow of my reading and make me annoyed. I think this could have been avoided with proper proofreading and edit.
🔪The author had perfectly brought back the historical characters into life and gives them his own personal touch. Akbar and Mahesh Das' character arc is well developed. My personal favorite is Gulbadan begum, the all-knowing Ghost of the harem.
🔪The author's writing is crisp and descriptive. I feel descriptions are very important in any historical fiction book, but nobody likes to read long description paragraphs which bombarded you with lots of information instead of showing them.
🔪The murder takes place at 25 % of the book. Everyone is a potential suspect having their own motive to murder. The suspense is gradually build up in such a way that makes you guessing till the end who is the actual murderer.
🔪The climax is mindblowing. The answer lies not in which one of the crows in Agra is the murderer, but in how many crows are there in Agra. Read the book to know what I am talking about.
Overall The Crows of Agra was a fun and quick read for me which I completed in one sitting. If you like suspense thriller and murder mysteries then this book is a perfect read for you.
My Rating:⭐⭐⭐
May 1, 2021
The Crows of Agra - Sharath Komarraju
This is his first novel under Birbal series. All these days I didn't know that Birbal is not the courtier's real name and well he is a bandit indeed, how I didn't know all these days.
Mahesh Das is his real name and he plays his smart role in getting into the Royal Palace of Akbar. But the wise king finds it and willing to forgive Mahesh only when he finds a secrecy behind the murder of Khan Baba, king's uncle and Mahesh accepts, starts solving the puzzle. But the trick here is whom he feels or portrays as the killer are killed One by one and when all the people in Harem feels the killer is dead, there comes the true mastermind and the transformation of a Brahmin who is later given post as courtier and his named changed to Birbal, the wise man by the king himself.
How he untangles the mistery and who is the murderer, read it and find it by yourself 😀
This is his first novel under Birbal series. All these days I didn't know that Birbal is not the courtier's real name and well he is a bandit indeed, how I didn't know all these days.
Mahesh Das is his real name and he plays his smart role in getting into the Royal Palace of Akbar. But the wise king finds it and willing to forgive Mahesh only when he finds a secrecy behind the murder of Khan Baba, king's uncle and Mahesh accepts, starts solving the puzzle. But the trick here is whom he feels or portrays as the killer are killed One by one and when all the people in Harem feels the killer is dead, there comes the true mastermind and the transformation of a Brahmin who is later given post as courtier and his named changed to Birbal, the wise man by the king himself.
How he untangles the mistery and who is the murderer, read it and find it by yourself 😀
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 18, 2019
Good Story !Review later
March 2, 2018
মোঘল সম্রাট আকবর বিংশ বছরে পদার্পন করতে যাচ্ছেন। এমন সময়ে তার প্রিয় খান বাবা মানে বৈরাম খাঁ, যিনি সম্রাট হুমায়ূনের মৃত্যুর পর নাবালক আকবরের অছি হিসেবে শাষনভার হাতে তুলে নিয়েছিলেন, তাকে অবসর পালনে মক্কায় পাঠাবার সিদ্ধান্ত নেন। এহেন সিদ্ধান্ত যতটা না খান বাবার শরীরের চিন্তায়, তার থেকেও বেশি নিজের সাম্রাজ্যে আধিপত্য বিস্তারের জন্য নিয়েছিলেন আকবর। কিন্তু মক্কায় রওনা দেবার ঠিক আগের দিন কে বা কারা বৈরাম খাঁ-কে হত্যা করে নিজ কক্ষে। হতবিহ্বল সম্রাট খুনিকে খোঁজার ভার দেন অল্প কিছুকাল আগে পরিচয় হওয়া পূজারি ব্রাহ্মন মহেশ দাসের (পরবর্তীতে বীরবল নামে প্রসিদ্ধ সভাসদ যাকে নবরত্নের একজন বলা হত) কাঁধে যে কিনা তার কয়েকদিন আগেই নিজ বুদ্ধি দিয়ে দস্যুদের হাত থেকে সম্রাটকে রক্ষা করেছেন। সম্ভাব্য খুনির সংখ্যা একাধিক। অনেকের সার্থ জরিয়ে আছে বৈরাম খাঁয়ের মৃত্যুর সাথে। দুধমা মাহাম আঙ্গা, দুধ ভাই আদম খান, এমনকি সম্রাজ্ঞী রুকাইয়া বেগম পর্যন্ত সন্দেহের তালিকায়। কে দায়ী খান বাবার এহেন পরিণতির জন্য? কার হাত লাল হয়ে আছে সম্রাটের প্রিয় ব্যক্তির রক্তে? মহেশ দাস কি পারবে খুঁজে বের করতে? নাকি প্রাসাদের ষড়যন্ত্র ধরতে গিয়ে নিজেই ষড়যন্ত্রের স্বীকার হয়ে যাবে???
মোটের উপর জমজমাট একটা মার্ডার মিস্ট্রি। তাও আবার মোঘল হারেমের আবহাওয়ায়। যদিও খটকা লাগার মত অনেকগুলো পয়েন্ট ছিল। মানে লেখকের জ্ঞানের বা মোঘল পরিবেশ সম্পর্কে জানার ঘাটতি ছিল তবুও লেখনির জোরে উৎরে গেছে ভালই। ছোটখাট ব্যাপারগুলো উপেক্ষা করে সময়টা ভাল কেটেছে। পড়তে পারেন আপনিও।।
হ্যাপি রিডিং।।।
মোটের উপর জমজমাট একটা মার্ডার মিস্ট্রি। তাও আবার মোঘল হারেমের আবহাওয়ায়। যদিও খটকা লাগার মত অনেকগুলো পয়েন্ট ছিল। মানে লেখকের জ্ঞানের বা মোঘল পরিবেশ সম্পর্কে জানার ঘাটতি ছিল তবুও লেখনির জোরে উৎরে গেছে ভালই। ছোটখাট ব্যাপারগুলো উপেক্ষা করে সময়টা ভাল কেটেছে। পড়তে পারেন আপনিও।।
হ্যাপি রিডিং।।।
April 26, 2017
Uhhh, a couple of problems:
1) It shouldn't take a reader 150-odd pages to be invested in characters.
2) For a murder mystery, it wasn't very mysterious. The secret was pretty open from the very beginning.
3) Definitely needs a better editor/proofreader. This one missed out on a lot of minor errors which distracted from the overall reading experience.
4) A major plot hole: Wasn't Ruqaiyah supposed to have seen the murderer commit the murder through the window? How could she, when the window was 'shut, but not bolted' to prevent any sound from escaping the room?
5) Characters don't stick to their character. Some of the conversation feels contrived to progress the plot point, as do some character actions. The flow isn't smooth throughout the story.
6) Things are explained overmuch every few paragraphs. The 'tell' isn't good.
Even though the prose and story construction needs some brushing up, the author shows promise in places. Where the prose is lucid, it is really good. The women seem less like cardboard characters and more like properly fleshed-out characters with their own motives. I might just check out his other books.
1) It shouldn't take a reader 150-odd pages to be invested in characters.
2) For a murder mystery, it wasn't very mysterious. The secret was pretty open from the very beginning.
3) Definitely needs a better editor/proofreader. This one missed out on a lot of minor errors which distracted from the overall reading experience.
4) A major plot hole: Wasn't Ruqaiyah supposed to have seen the murderer commit the murder through the window? How could she, when the window was 'shut, but not bolted' to prevent any sound from escaping the room?
5) Characters don't stick to their character. Some of the conversation feels contrived to progress the plot point, as do some character actions. The flow isn't smooth throughout the story.
6) Things are explained overmuch every few paragraphs. The 'tell' isn't good.
Even though the prose and story construction needs some brushing up, the author shows promise in places. Where the prose is lucid, it is really good. The women seem less like cardboard characters and more like properly fleshed-out characters with their own motives. I might just check out his other books.
October 20, 2015
Wonder why no one had this idea before - of using one of the purportedly wittiest and observant Indian ever to solve crimes - Mr Komarraju, who has the enviable talent of experimenting with various genres, pulls of this experiment too with panache.. The only thing is, I hope, that this will not be a one-off and there will be more starring this admirable but underutilised character..
January 31, 2019
Sharath Komarraju is an author whose writing I absolutely love. It is poetic, dramatic, and fluid at the same time, while holding the interest of the reader with everything it has. And this book is no different.
I had read the second in this series, The Tree Bears Witness, in 2017, I think, and I loved it a lot. It was a while before I bought this one, but it's worth it all. He never disappoints with the world-building and the way he sketches out his characters while keeping in mind all of the intricacies that go into writing such a murder mystery!
Love!
I had read the second in this series, The Tree Bears Witness, in 2017, I think, and I loved it a lot. It was a while before I bought this one, but it's worth it all. He never disappoints with the world-building and the way he sketches out his characters while keeping in mind all of the intricacies that go into writing such a murder mystery!
Love!
August 19, 2020
Yet another wonderful thriller by Sharath Komarraju. The plot is intriguing and sustains interest till the very end. The characters are well-rounded, especially the women of the harem. The men are warriors and seem similar to each other.
I wish there were more descriptions of the palace and the gardens, even though the author's disclaimer says that the details are not meant to be authentic.
My only quibble is there were many typos and grammatical errors in the Kindle edition.
My hope is that the author writes more books in this series.
I wish there were more descriptions of the palace and the gardens, even though the author's disclaimer says that the details are not meant to be authentic.
My only quibble is there were many typos and grammatical errors in the Kindle edition.
My hope is that the author writes more books in this series.
October 4, 2016
The premise is brilliant. There are infinite tales about Emperor Akbar and his witty minister Birbal, some true, some twisted and some utterly made up. It's difficult to pinpoint which is which. However, Sharath has done well to take up the smallest and most famous tale - one in which Emperor Akbar asks his courtiers how many crows there are in Agra. Birbal immediately states a number. Akbar asks, "What if there are less than that number?" Birbal replies, "Then those crows have flown to another city to meet their relatives."
"And what if there are more?"
Birbal doesn't even blink an eyelid before replying, "Then crows from elsewhere have come to meet their relatives in Agra."
No one but Sharath thought of connecting this anecdote and Akbar's early years when the teenager was dominated by Bairam Khan, his father's trusted generals.
The story is well-designed and is quite enjoyable if you let history take a backseat. All the historical characters retain their authenticity, except for one. Emperor Akbar, though he is hardly twenty when the actual events take place, is shown to be helpless at times, which doesn't go with a character who changed the whole course of history during his reign.
"And what if there are more?"
Birbal doesn't even blink an eyelid before replying, "Then crows from elsewhere have come to meet their relatives in Agra."
No one but Sharath thought of connecting this anecdote and Akbar's early years when the teenager was dominated by Bairam Khan, his father's trusted generals.
The story is well-designed and is quite enjoyable if you let history take a backseat. All the historical characters retain their authenticity, except for one. Emperor Akbar, though he is hardly twenty when the actual events take place, is shown to be helpless at times, which doesn't go with a character who changed the whole course of history during his reign.
April 16, 2025
2.75⭐️
The book's setting in the Mughal era and in Agra was what attracted me to it. Then discovering that this was the "origin story" of Birbal (the person formerly known as Mahesh Das) made me more keen to read it. I'd previously read about Birbal in the Amar Chitra Katha comics so was keen to know more about him.
A murder mystery with Birbal using his vaunted intellect to solve this crime. There were many characters (suspects) and it was interesting to see how Birbal went through everyone's alibis to figure out the murderer.
Easy prose, fairly fast paced, intriguing setting.
I can't vouch for the historical accuracy in this book but it, nonetheless, was satisfactory enough for a time pass read.
The book's setting in the Mughal era and in Agra was what attracted me to it. Then discovering that this was the "origin story" of Birbal (the person formerly known as Mahesh Das) made me more keen to read it. I'd previously read about Birbal in the Amar Chitra Katha comics so was keen to know more about him.
A murder mystery with Birbal using his vaunted intellect to solve this crime. There were many characters (suspects) and it was interesting to see how Birbal went through everyone's alibis to figure out the murderer.
Easy prose, fairly fast paced, intriguing setting.
I can't vouch for the historical accuracy in this book but it, nonetheless, was satisfactory enough for a time pass read.
December 7, 2015
I don't think I have enough knowledge and exposure to various writings to comment on the quality of someone's writing, but as an average common reader for me a good book is something which keeps me hooked till the end and doesn't bore me in between. Sharat's " Crows of Agra" is exactly that. I have to mention that the best part of his writing style is the language and vocabulary he uses. Its no so hi-fi so that we need a dictionary to enjoy the jest of certain words and at the same time the writing is not amateurish with broken English. For me personally the work deserves 5 star rating with its twists, turns, readability and language:)
June 6, 2016
A Brilliant novel that keeps the readers engaged till the ending. And it ends in an unpredictable way. Thanks to Sharath Komarraju for giving me such a wonderful reading experience.
September 17, 2025
The Crows of Agra- Sharath Komarraju
What a ride! I was hooked from the first page and couldn’t put it down until the very last. This isn’t just a thriller; it’s a slow-burning unraveling of secrets that grips you tighter with every chapter. Patience pays off — the final reveal is worth every moment.
It’s been a while since a book pulled me in like this. I finished it in just a few days, and that says a lot. This was my second read by the author, after The Tree Bears Witness, and I could sense a familiar rhythm in the storytelling — a signature style that’s both clever and compelling.
Yes, the case gets solved... but does resolution mean justice? That lingering question haunted me long after I closed the book. The twists are sharp, the shocks are real, and the journey is unforgettable.
There were moments that made me uncomfortable — but perhaps that’s the point. In a Mughal-dominated kingdom, what power does a lone Brahmin truly hold? The answer isn’t simple. The stakes are high, and the risks are real.
If you dare to peel back the layers, be warned: the truth isn’t always kind. Unravel the secrets at your own risk.
Nostalgia hitting hard ✨: I still remember how my college friend Divya narrated the story of Jodha Akbar — every little detail, every scene, with such vividness. Especially that iconic moment: “Namak kam hai!” 😁
Those were such beautiful days... I didn’t watch the movie until after she walked me through it scene by scene. And now, every time I watch it, I don’t just see the film — I relive those moments with her. The laughter, the storytelling, the bond.
Some memories never fade. Missing those days.
Happy reading. 📖
What a ride! I was hooked from the first page and couldn’t put it down until the very last. This isn’t just a thriller; it’s a slow-burning unraveling of secrets that grips you tighter with every chapter. Patience pays off — the final reveal is worth every moment.
It’s been a while since a book pulled me in like this. I finished it in just a few days, and that says a lot. This was my second read by the author, after The Tree Bears Witness, and I could sense a familiar rhythm in the storytelling — a signature style that’s both clever and compelling.
Yes, the case gets solved... but does resolution mean justice? That lingering question haunted me long after I closed the book. The twists are sharp, the shocks are real, and the journey is unforgettable.
There were moments that made me uncomfortable — but perhaps that’s the point. In a Mughal-dominated kingdom, what power does a lone Brahmin truly hold? The answer isn’t simple. The stakes are high, and the risks are real.
If you dare to peel back the layers, be warned: the truth isn’t always kind. Unravel the secrets at your own risk.
Nostalgia hitting hard ✨: I still remember how my college friend Divya narrated the story of Jodha Akbar — every little detail, every scene, with such vividness. Especially that iconic moment: “Namak kam hai!” 😁
Those were such beautiful days... I didn’t watch the movie until after she walked me through it scene by scene. And now, every time I watch it, I don’t just see the film — I relive those moments with her. The laughter, the storytelling, the bond.
Some memories never fade. Missing those days.
Happy reading. 📖
June 18, 2019
If you guys have been following me for a while, you might already know that I love reading historical fiction and particularly about the Mughals.
This story is set in 1562 AD when Akbar was in his twenties and took over the powers from his regent, Bairam Khan.
It's a fictional theory behind how Bairam Khan was murdered. .
.
.
Even if you haven't read about Mughals, you can read this book as a murder mystery. All the characters are built very well, so you don't need to have any prior knowledge to Mughal era.
Also, we get to read about how Birbal, one of the nine jewels in Akbar's court met him for the first time. Birbal,whose real name was Mahesh Das had to prove his worth to Akbar by solving the mystery of Bairam Khan's murder.
And I must mention that the narrations in particular are very gripping. And this is a fictional retelling of a historic event, so the author has developed the characters accordingly.
Recommended to all the readers who love historical fiction and mystery genres.
This story is set in 1562 AD when Akbar was in his twenties and took over the powers from his regent, Bairam Khan.
It's a fictional theory behind how Bairam Khan was murdered. .
.
.
Even if you haven't read about Mughals, you can read this book as a murder mystery. All the characters are built very well, so you don't need to have any prior knowledge to Mughal era.
Also, we get to read about how Birbal, one of the nine jewels in Akbar's court met him for the first time. Birbal,whose real name was Mahesh Das had to prove his worth to Akbar by solving the mystery of Bairam Khan's murder.
And I must mention that the narrations in particular are very gripping. And this is a fictional retelling of a historic event, so the author has developed the characters accordingly.
Recommended to all the readers who love historical fiction and mystery genres.
May 19, 2018
“never before in his life had Mahesh Das seen so many jewels. The imperial dining room was smaller than he had imagined but the wealth contained was enough to compare it to heaven itself. “
It is a decent read with the exception of a few flaws in the publication of this book. I would recommend it to anyone who loves a good murder mystery. Although the characters are drawn from our history books the plot itself is fictitious. The book has to be read as pure fiction and nothing more. The author does mention this in the beginning. I enjoyed the book and this particular topic of an Akbar-Birbal mystery is an eye-catcher. The story is set in 1562 when the orphan son of Humayun, Akbar stakes his claim on the Mughal throne. The only two people preventing him from doing so where his beloved Maham Anga (foster mother) and Bairam khan (the regent). When rumors spread that the regent was plotting to claim the throne for himself, Akbar forces him to go on a pilgrimage to Mecca. The night before his departure Khan Baba is found murdered in his quarters. The emperor employs Mahesh das a Brahmin-who he recently befriends and has a dirty little secret of his own, to help solve the mystery and together they unravel the dangerous truth and help protect the Mughal throne. This is the first book I have read of this author. He needs to employ a proper editor because some grammatical errors change your perception of the story. Also the timeline within the story itself is off it can confuse even the most attentive reader, I had to turn back pages to see if I got the events right But the scenes described managed to play with my imagination and thats what I expect in a good book. There are a few twists most of which you expect but many are unpredictable. The author has incorporated some strong female characters. They are mainly written off in history as naive , their only goal in life was to produce an heir but the story paints a different picture. The women play a key role in the storyline. This is the first in a two part series and I will be starting the second book Tree Bears Witness
It is a decent read with the exception of a few flaws in the publication of this book. I would recommend it to anyone who loves a good murder mystery. Although the characters are drawn from our history books the plot itself is fictitious. The book has to be read as pure fiction and nothing more. The author does mention this in the beginning. I enjoyed the book and this particular topic of an Akbar-Birbal mystery is an eye-catcher. The story is set in 1562 when the orphan son of Humayun, Akbar stakes his claim on the Mughal throne. The only two people preventing him from doing so where his beloved Maham Anga (foster mother) and Bairam khan (the regent). When rumors spread that the regent was plotting to claim the throne for himself, Akbar forces him to go on a pilgrimage to Mecca. The night before his departure Khan Baba is found murdered in his quarters. The emperor employs Mahesh das a Brahmin-who he recently befriends and has a dirty little secret of his own, to help solve the mystery and together they unravel the dangerous truth and help protect the Mughal throne. This is the first book I have read of this author. He needs to employ a proper editor because some grammatical errors change your perception of the story. Also the timeline within the story itself is off it can confuse even the most attentive reader, I had to turn back pages to see if I got the events right But the scenes described managed to play with my imagination and thats what I expect in a good book. There are a few twists most of which you expect but many are unpredictable. The author has incorporated some strong female characters. They are mainly written off in history as naive , their only goal in life was to produce an heir but the story paints a different picture. The women play a key role in the storyline. This is the first in a two part series and I will be starting the second book Tree Bears Witness
May 5, 2019
It is well known to all not to judge a book by its cover. Well I did the exact opposite and fortunately was right. As beautiful as the cover of this book is, the story itself is too beautiful. The plot, the character development, the narration, the suspense buildup, everything clicks for this mystery novel. Yes the ending seemed a bit predictable and could have had a little more thriller to it but all's forgiven, for this book is a beauty of its own.
Read it and know it. There are gems lying around in India that the world needs to know about. One of such gem is the author of this book.
Give it a read.
Three and a half stars.
Read it and know it. There are gems lying around in India that the world needs to know about. One of such gem is the author of this book.
Give it a read.
Three and a half stars.
December 17, 2016
The death of Bairam Khan, the guardian of Akbar was shrouded in mystery. This story needed to be told. Sharath did well in broaching the subject and weaved nice fiction around it. A mystery is only as good as its detective and his acumen. In this case, Sharath made Birbal his hero with all qualities which were attributed to him in later Akbar-Birbal stories: wits, the presence of mind, sharp eye. An entertaining read. Looking forward to reading its sequel.
May 28, 2017
The book has a great concept. It picked up one of the famous tales of Emperor Akbar and his witty minister Birbal & looped the tale around Birbal solving the mysterious death of Bairam Khan (Akbar's regent). The book is gripping at times however the mystery plot takes time to build. It had a decent twist in the end. An easy & a quick read.
June 16, 2018
Delightful little read featuring one of my favorite characters from Indian lore, Birbal. In particular, I really enjoyed the characterizations of the different players, casting them in a realistic light rather than lionizing them the way most authors are wont to do with Mughal emperors and their entourage. Definitely looking forward to reading more in this series
July 30, 2026
Sharath Komarraju’s The Crows of Agra is a clever murder mystery that reimagines the early partnership between a young King Akbar and Mahesh Das. The book’s greatest strengths are its intriguing 16th-century Agra setting, realistic characters, and strong sense of history. While a few slow spots impact the pacing, it remains a thoroughly enjoyable read. I look forward to reading the sequel, The Tree Bears Witness.
August 14, 2026
An interesting historical conspiracy
Well written, it looks like a spy thriller with a historical background. Conspiracy, intrigue and drama at its fullest . The story evolves with sound logic and evidence towards an ending which never looked predictable.
Well written, it looks like a spy thriller with a historical background. Conspiracy, intrigue and drama at its fullest . The story evolves with sound logic and evidence towards an ending which never looked predictable.
October 25, 2017
Um no! Just no! There is creative liberty and then there is this crap-fest of a book!
August 21, 2018
The plot and writing are nice though a bit amateur. Some of the issues pointed out in the review of Madhulika Liddle are correct but overall an easy read.
September 10, 2018
Ending of the story was not so interesting. A Birbal mystery is not so mystery.
June 5, 2019
Amazing book. Must read. Gripping till the very end!
August 1, 2019
There might be some flaws in this book (based on other reviews). The story is solid and the plot is reverting and overall excellent story telling.
July 8, 2022
A short read which I have completed in one sitting. Interesting but i had expected more rather than just focusing on murder.
October 22, 2026
I received this book as a gift years ago, after that I read and loved most of his books, thrillers and mahabharata character series as well. Very enjoyable ,amazing storytelling and well written
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