A Dust Storm in Delhi

by Meena Arora Nayak

‘Don’t you see? If Dilli is safe, I am safe.’ Shehzadi Razziat believes that she will one day rule, as Sultan Iltutmish, her father, does. She is his favourite, his zafer—his symbol of victory—is she not? Sharp of mind and steely in her resolve to prove herself worthy, Razziat trains harder than her brothers and observes her father keenly, preparing for the role she believes is rightfully hers. Supporting her dreams are her childhood friends, Yakut and Altunia, each secretly in love with the fiery princess. But mid-thirteenth century Dilli is not an easy place for a woman; the moral strictures are harsh, and the road to the throne is treacherous. And one false step is all it takes to stir up rebellion and turn friends into foes—as Razziat soon discovers. In this compulsively readable novel, Meena Arora Nayak writes of Sultan Razziat—the only woman emperor who ever ruled from the throne of Dilli. A fearless warrior, a shrewd politician, and a just ruler, whose memory has persisted despite history’s attempts to forget her.

272 pages, Paperback

Published November 29, 2021

Reviews

[Varunika Sood · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading the book "A Dust Storm in Delhi" by Meena Arora Nayak, I have identified several positives and negatives.

Positives:

The author has successfully captured the essence of Delhi and its socio-political climate in the 90s. The setting and background of the story are vividly described, making it easy to imagine and visualize the scenes.

The characters in the book are diverse and realistic, each with their own unique personalities and struggles. The author creates strong connections between the characters, allowing the reader to become invested in their lives and decisions.

The book touches on several important social issues such as women's rights, corruption, religious intolerance, and poverty. These issues are highlighted through the character's stories, making the reader not only entertained but also informed.

Negatives:

The writing style of the author is sometimes dense and difficult to follow. The use of lengthy and complex sentences often leaves the reader confused, and the narration shifts abruptly making the story hard to follow.

The book has several storylines that are not adequately developed, and some are left unresolved. As a result, the ending seems rushed and unsatisfactory.

The book has a slow start and it takes a while for the story to pick up, making it difficult to maintain the reader's interest initially.

Overall, "A Dust Storm in Delhi" by Meena Arora Nayak is a well-written novel that touches on several important issues, but its flaws with pacing and writing style may make it difficult for some readers to fully engage with the story.

[Selene · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don’t know what to feel about this book. It had so much potential. I wanted more depth into how Razia ruled, how she felt sitting on the throne, how she delivered justice. How she carried herself under the constant gaze of men who thought she wasn’t worthy, and how she was lifted by the love of the people who believed in her. But that just wasn’t easy to grasp with the story constantly jumping from past to present. One moment it’s her childhood, then her training, then suddenly she’s ruling and planning military strategy, and then we’re back to a “present” that honestly adds nothing. The story would’ve worked so much better if it had been told as a memory—her final flashback before death, because at least then the chaos would’ve had meaning. As it stands, it just left me feeling disappointed.

[Imtiaz Faizi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Superb book, wonderful language, amazing plot. Razia Sultan was a forgotten chapter in Indian history. It is amazing that the author has taken the risk to fictionalise the story of the first and only woman to sit on the throne of Delhi. It is great that the author identified the potential in imagining the story of a ruler who rose through ranks in the periods of religious orthodoxy and lack of acceptance towards women.

At first some terms were unclear, but as the pages went on the reader will get used to the terms and culture used in that period. It was literally a walk through history. Expect more great historical fiction, which is not corrupted by political and religious narratives.

[Nandini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Descriptions were impeccable, Razia'a portrayal lovely. It saddens me that she had such a short reign. My heart pains for Yakut. All hearts to Saras amca and Sultan Illtutmish.
The narrative style is different from anything I have read. Razia keeps flitting between stories and time zones. One person at a time, one incident at a time. One conversation leading to another tale. You keep wondering till the end who did what, who wronged her and how. It's not until you read a couple of pages in a new chapter, do you realise where do you stand in the timeline. This was damn interesting!

[Meena Abbas · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favourite book of the year