MONUMENT

by Manahil Bandukwala

MONUMENT is a conversation with Mughal Empress Mumtaz Mahal, which moves her legacy beyond the Taj Mahal

MONUMENT upturns notions of love, monumentalisation, and empire by exploring buried facets of Mumtaz Mahal’s story. The collection layers linear time and geographical space to chart the continuing presence of historical legacies. It considers what alternate futures could have been possible. Who are we when we continue to make the same mistakes? Beyond distance, time, and boundaries, what do we still carry?

Genres: Poetry

96 pages, Paperback

First published September 15, 2022

Reviews

[Rachel Stienberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Obviously this entire book was literal perfection from start to finish but personal standouts include titles: ‘Before, it was love’, ‘Wed’, ‘Restart’, ‘Dara Shikoh’, and ‘Mumtaz’.

[Raven · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review is biased because my good friend wrote this book, however I don't think that detracts in the least from just how wonderful this work is.
I have a mostly passing knowledge of the Taj Mahal and its history - things learned in art history classes - so I went into this without much background knowledge, and if anything that made me appreciate the story of this work even more. The imagery painted is exquisite and I felt connected to every poem because I felt so immersed. Poetry analysis is not my thing and I'm sure others will be able to speak to it better, but suffice to say that I was blown away by the beauty and lyricism of the poems.
I also really loved the interweaving of Arjumand's story and the world of the early 17th century of the Mughal Empire. "Restart" specifically stuck with me for making a poem inspired by Animal Crossing relevant to Arjumand's life and legacy.
As someone who is also interested in exploring the "what ifs" and seeing how decisions have ripple effects, I really appreciated that overall theme that was present in Monument. I highly recommend this, and also look forward to going back to it and finding more within the story.

One of my favourite passages:
Us, a whistle field; we traded iron swords / and shields for rose thorns and chamomile. / In our cold bed I pulled back my lips from your ear- / can we plant an empire such as this one / where I would love you in golden hour every minute / of every remaining day. "1622," p. 24.

[Whitley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore this book.

I met the author when she was the guest speaker for my publishing class semester. She read a few poems, and her partner played guitar. I instantly felt drawn to this story and had to buy it. I wish I had got her to sign it!

Regardless I thought this was such a unique and beautiful book. My favourite poems were: Before it was love, Wed, Ask, Wish, Rest, Envision, 1628, 1622, 1631, Retell, Flow, Circle, Jahanara, Dara Shikoh, Roshanara, Aurangzeb, and Gauharara.

[April T · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a gift to read this book. It pushes the form and expectation of what poetry, history, memoir and rhythm can feel like. To hold it in your hands is to feel a sense of connection to a woman of history (mumtaz mahal). There is both a sense of Intimacy and knowing, while also not knowing at all. I will be thinking about this book for a long time..

[K.R. Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Monument engages with Mughal Empress Mumtaz Mahal to evoke a life richer than the mausoleum her husband built her. The strictures of her Imperial life entwine with longed-for impossible alternatives and a crisp modern perspective in a communion across centuries.

[Vishesh Abeyratne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mumtaz Mahal (nee Arjumand Banu Begum) - empress consort of the Mughal Empire and the woman for whom the Taj Mahal was built as a tomb. Before reading Manahil Bandukwala's achingly beautiful poetry collection Monument, these facts were the extent of my paltry familiarity with her life story. Now I want to know everything there is to know about the woman herself.

Through incantatory lyrical verse suffused with warmth, tenderness, and clear-eyed humanity, the poet brings the long-dead Arjumand to life with astonishing vividness. Percy Shelley told us long ago that empire and its monuments are destined to crumble into dust. Bandukwala is here to remind us that acts of love are what outlast them all - and that is exactly what this volume of hers is.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

an utterly captivating collection with lots of innovation in the way in which the subject of the poems, Mumtaz Mahal is treated: she is addressed directly by the speaker; there are portraits of her family and poems that weave the speaker’s life with hers. This is a book that questions the condition of Empire over countries and over women. It is mesmerizing.

[Penn Kemp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating. Manahil Bandukwala’s glorious MONUMENT releases the living moment from the monumental Taj Mahal in poems that revision alternative lives for Mumtaz Mahal, Empress, consort of Shahjahan and mother of fourteen:

“In this book/ you survived.” “Like a folktale, I narrate what lingers”.

“Perhaps like me/Arjumand,/You wished to twine pleasure/ with worship.”

Brick Books

[Margaryta · Rating 5 out of 5]

REVIEW FORTHCOMING

[Tan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love learning about historical women's lives through poetry.

[crista · Rating 4 out of 5]

what did you dream of
in the room of dreams