Read an exclusive excerpt from Vagabond Princess, the story of Gulbadan Begum

What likely happened in the post-hajj years that the Mughal princess spent in the desert? An excerpt from Ruby Lal’s book.

Five years after Gulbadan returned from the hajj, around 1587, Akbar made an important announcement. In keeping with his world-conquering ambitions, he commissioned the writing of a comprehensive history of his empire. It would be the official history, a state-sponsored record of Mughal glory unmatched in scope.

For this first-time history, the emperor asked servants of the state and old members of the family to record their memories of the Mughal dynasty. There was one woman among the invited contributors…