About the Book
Amid the grandeur of Akbar's Mughal Empire and the rise of the valiant Rajputana, Mirza Shahid sets out on a journey that transcends the barriers of faith, politics and war.
His story unfolds in an India alive with cultural rebirth, where Vrindavan's mystical awakening is positioned parallel to the backdrop of Fatehpur Sikri's political brilliance and Bengal's religious transformation.
Along the way, Shahid crosses paths with towering historical figures, but it is his inner quest for meaning that takes center stage.
About the Author
Dr. Himanshu Asnani is an author, researcher and translator. A connoisseur of literature, linguistics and classical music, Himanshu actively conducts research in the areas of philosophy, social psychology and history. He travels extensively, engaging with community, corporate and university audiences across India and abroad through seminars and workshops. He is also involved in translating ancient wisdom texts into English and regional languages.
Himanshu previously held a full-time faculty position at the School of Technology and Computer Science (STCS) in the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Mumbai. He has also held visiting appointments at the University of Washington-Seattle, Stanford University and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay. His research interests included artificial intelligence, machine learning, information theory and statistics. He received his BTech from IIT Bombay (IIT JEE Mains All India Rank 4, IIT JEE Screening All India Rank 1) and his MS and PhD from Stanford University, all in Electrical Engineering.
Acknowledgments
If there is such a thing as expressing gratitude toward an entire town or city, dear readers, let me do so in this section. It is to the forest of love itself-the land of Vrindavan that my deepest gratitude flows. It is this place which has lent its name to this novel and was also the perfect ambience for the work to be born into and grow. It has allowed me, something which I reckon is beyond my share, a beautiful access to its environs, culture, heritage, temples, festivals, saints, books, music and some magic.
I express my indebtedness to my teachers and mentors, saints and sages, who allowed me to take a peek into that magic and inspired me to write about it. Friends and family members extended their love through encouragement, feedback and solidarity as the novel took its shape. My heartfelt thanks to them.
Dipti from WordFamous has remained a strong supporting force throughout this journey. I thank her sincerely.