More than four centuries ago in India, a Muslim woman ruled a magnificent empire: Nur Jahan, whose name means ‘light of the world’. Nur led troops into battle atop an elephant, hunted tigers, designed public buildings, and issued coinage and royal decrees in her own name.
In a world dominated by men, her astute handling of court politics and affairs of state propelled her to the position of co-sovereign of the vast Mughal Empire—and made her mighty enemies, who would plot to bring about her downfall.
Tiger Slayer combines the gifts of historian Ruby Lal and artist Molly Crabapple to uncover the vibrant and diverse culture of Mughal India and tell the compelling story of a daring, brilliant woman who achieved unequalled power and fame.
‘Historian Lal demonstrates exemplary historical methodology throughout as she traces the life of Nur Jahan … Crabapple’s full-colour illustrations transform the pages into windows onto Mughal India’s opulent world … a product of Lal’s extensive research for her adult biography, lending additional credibility to an already well-documented narrative that successfully combines scholarly rigor with engaging storytelling. Sets a new standard for works celebrating overlooked historical figures’ –Kirkus
‘Nur would say: Ruby Lal is a fountain of light, Molly Crabapple the prism of the age’ –Irwin Allan Sealy
‘Adulatory, deeply satisfying, well documented, and filled with strikingly gorgeous illustrations, this is a fitting tribute for an empress’ –Kathleen McBroom ― BOOKLIST Advance Review
‘Sometimes when creative souls come together for a project and pour their passion into it, the end result is a product that is utterly perfect. This is one of those rare gems’ –Jaya Bhattacharji Rose, Ace Literary Consulting
‘Celebrated historian Ruby Lal and award-winning illustrator Molly Crabapple put the spotlight on the awe-inspiring true story of empress Nur Jahan, the only woman to ever rule the Mughal Empire. With Tiger Slayer, get on board an immersive journey through Nur Jahan’s world, full of ancient rivers and rose gardens, whispered poems and fearless power plays’ –Farah Khatoon, T2 Goodlife
October 1947
Unwilling to join India or Pakistan, the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir wants his kingdom to remain independent. But then a wave of attacks from the northwest frontier, supported by Pakistan, ravages city after city . . .
As friends leave the town in panic, and fear grips every neighbourhood, it is a time of reckoning for Zooni, as for the other people of Baramulla—with whom should their loyalties lay?
A ragtag bunch of youngsters, including Zooni’s brave cousin Maqbool Sherwani, promise to protect Kashmir and its people—but Zooni isn’t sure how they can fight truckloads of tribesmen bearing grenades and guns. Zooni tries to find a safe space—but will it remain safe? And the dark secret she discovers makes the dangerous world even darker . . .
The Songs of Freedom series explores the lives of children across India during the struggle for independence.
Something has scared Bapu in the bathroom. Can Diya save him?
About Hook Books
In a world where children’s books often feel cut from the same cloth, Hook Books stand out as a vibrant blend of imagination, humour, and heart. Crafted as a bridge between picture books and early chapter books, this series delivers stories that spark joy and wonder, while remaining rooted in age-appropriate learning.
Hook Books keep the fun going with:
- Small, digestible bits of text (perfect for budding readers)
- Bright, four-colour illustrations that pull kids into the story
- Themes that speak to the everyday lives of children—plus a sprinkle of whimsy!
From fantasy tales to those that touch on more advanced ideas, Hook Books ensure that young readers are always in for a treat, no matter their reading level. Even better, these books take children on journeys through different parts of India, giving them a taste of the rich diversity of our world through local flavours, landscapes, and cultures. Whether the story takes place in bustling cities or quiet villages, Hook Books make every setting feel like home.
The most definitive account of how Article 370 was abrogated.
The inside story of how Prime Minister Narendra Modi turned the seemingly impossible into a reality.
An eye-opening read on the damage Article 370 inflicted on Jammu and Kashmir.
A book that will interest diverse readers, including students, scholars and historians.
Introduced in October 1949, Article 370 turned out to be a long-standing ‘permanent’ temporary provision till 5 August 2019, when it was abrogated by the Parliament of India. The article has been subjected to intense debate and much discussion over the years. Those who supported it cited Jammu and Kashmir’s unique situation in 1947, while those who opposed it questioned how one nation could have two constitutions, two flags and two sets of rules. The naysayers also questioned its reductive aspects—the denial of basic rights to the poor, scheduled caste and scheduled tribe communities, and women.
But whichever side one stood on, the conventional belief for sixty-five years since Independence was that Article 370 can never be repealed. But then came 5 August 2019, when the supposedly impossible became a reality.
370: Undoing the Unjust, A New Future for J&K takes the reader through the minute and meticulous planning that ensured seamless execution of the decision. Removing Article 370 not only needed strategic planning and political will but also mammoth logistical preparations. Every single aspect would have to be addressed, or else the region, especially the Kashmir valley, would plunge into chaos.
The book offers a glimpse of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s thought process, insights into his leadership and, most importantly, his vision for Jammu and Kashmir. By ensuring that Article 370 is repealed, Prime Minister Modi altered the course of history. But, along with that he also fulfilled the decades-old commitment of the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Deeply researched, anecdotal and unputdownable, this book fills the gaps on scholarship around an iconic moment of Indian history.
In this compelling memoir, Stitching Stardom, Madhav Agasti takes readers on a journey through his remarkable five-decade-long career as a renowned men’s dress designer. From his humble beginnings in Mumbai with no formal training, Agasti’s story is one of perseverance, passion, and adaptability. Known for his work in Bollywood, where he designed costumes for over 350 films—including the iconic villain Mogambo in Mr India (1987)—and for some of India’s most influential political figures, including Balasaheb Thackeray, Agasti’s life is a testament to the power of following one’s dreams against all odds.
With candid stories about the challenges he faced, the people he met, and the moments that defined his career, Agasti reflects on the personal and professional transformations that shaped his legacy. This book is more than just a chronicle of tailoring—it’s a celebration of resilience, a look into the worlds of fashion, entertainment, and politics, and an inspiring message about staying true to one’s passion through life’s inevitable changes.
A heartfelt tribute to those who have supported him along the way, this memoir offers a window into the life of a man who stitched together not only clothes, but memories and milestones that have defined an era.
बच्चों की सबसे प्रिय पत्रिकाओं में से एक है, जो मनोरंजन और शिक्षा का अनोखा संगम प्रस्तुत करती है। इसमें जानवरों पर आधारित रोचक कहानियाँ, मजेदार गतिविधियाँ और ज्ञानवर्धक लेख शामिल होते हैं। चंपक बच्चों की रचनात्मकता को बढ़ावा देता है और उनकी सोचने-समझने की क्षमता को विकसित करता है। यह पत्रिका हर आयु के बच्चों के लिए आदर्श है, जो उन्हें आनंद और शिक्षा दोनों प्रदान करती है।
As our internet ecosystem has matured and logistics capabilities deepened, it has become easier to launch brands, but much harder to scale them due to the intense competition. More and more brands are vanishing on the second page of Amazon results, and very few manage to crack offline distribution. Most brands struggle to grow beyond a threshold.
In *Zero To Scale*, Arindam Paul has meticulously documented all his learnings across every function brand operators need to master — product, distribution, acquisition, brand building, organization, and more. It’s a rare, original playbook drawn from the hard-won experience of scaling Atomberg from a pre-revenue upstart to over 1000 Cr in annual revenue. For anyone building a brand in India or pursuing a career in sales and marketing, this book offers practical, actionable insights you can’t afford to miss.
A close reading of the persistent antagonisms in Indian history, Hindutva and Hind Swaraj focuses on the ideological clash between Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi and Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, representing the broader ideological, political, and cultural factions within Hindu and Indian society. The central argument is that this antagonism continues to influence national life, both politically and personally, reflecting two contrasting ideologies: Hindutva and Hind Swaraj.
Divided into three parts, the first part addresses the lack of historical records in ancient India and the importance of creating a national history to reclaim India’s past. In the part second part, the author examines the discovery of India’s cultural and historical identity, the impact of colonialism, and the need for a balanced discourse that acknowledges the complexity and diversity of Indian society. While the third looks at the e contemporary political landscape, the rise of Hindutva, and the ongoing struggle between Gandhi’s vision of non-violent resistance and Savarkar’s advocacy of armed rebellion. It highlights the unresolved tensions between these two ideologies and their implications for India’s future.
The book emphasizes the need for a new approach to understanding and reconciling these differences, suggesting that a balanced discourse and a deeper inquiry into the nature of nationalism, democracy, and Indian society are essential for creating a new India.
From the creator of That Fruit is Mine! comes a laugh-out-loud cautionary tale, sure to resonate with all picky eaters and their parents!
Little Donkey LOVES eating grass – it’s just so sweet, and crunchy, and juicy! His pillow is even made from grass so that he can roll over in the morning and eat his own bed. “Why don’t you try some other food?” suggests his desperate mum, putting on a juggling display of colourful fruit as a way to entice her little one to eat something new. But Little Donkey sees no need. Until, that is, he catches a glimpse of his reflection…
