An Unholy Drought is a sweeping historical novel that drops you into 1556 CE, where a brutal drought tests a throne and a family’s fate is written in the margins of history. It’s a deeply human story for readers who love immersive historical fiction, multi-generational sagas, and richly drawn characters, told with warmth and urgency. The narrative unfolds through the eyes of an old man reflecting on a dynasty shaped by time, while the teenage heir Akbar grapples with duty and destiny—offering both grand adventure and intimate moments that linger long after the last page.
Written in warm, flowing prose, An Unholy Drought unfolds across shifting timelines—from Delhi’s streets a century earlier to the royal courts of 1556. The interwoven lives of Akbar, Qasim, Aabida, Zubair, Nadeem, and Zarina rise against political upheaval and personal trials. As the second installment in the Delhi Quartet and the sequel to Garden of Heaven, it deepens the world with lush period detail and intimate moments.
The experience is anchored by vivid settings, craft motifs—embroidery, calligraphy, naqshband—and a storytelling pace that balances grand ambition with quiet character moments, making An Unholy Drought both epic in scope and personal in feeling.
- Rich historical setting spanning the late Sultanate to the Mughal era
- Multi-generational cast with Akbar, Qasim, Aabida, Zubair, Nadeem, and Zarina
- Themes of duty, friendship, love, betrayal, and resilience
- Interwoven timelines and an aging narrator threading past and present
- Vivid period detail, including embroidery and calligraphy motifs
- Engaging pacing with twists and emotionally resonant moments
- Connects to Garden of Heaven as the Delhi Quartet continues to unfold
After finishing An Unholy Drought, readers emerge with a deeper sense of history and humanity—invigorated by the resilience of families and the power of craft to endure across generations. This immersive journey through Delhi’s transformation invites you to see how love, loyalty, and ambition shape destinies, and to carry its echoes long after the last page.
