Books like Empire of the Sikhs by Patwant Singh

William Dalrymple’s nonfiction account examines the final days of the Mughal dynasty, focusing on Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar II and the 1857 Sepoy Rebellion that ended imperial rule in Delhi.

Relive the 20th century through the eyes and words of Lord Mountbatten – a member of the Royal family and one of Britain's most highly decorated naval officers. This extraordinary volume spans 70 years of triumph, conflict and glory in the life of this remarkable man who rose to worldwide recognition as both statesman and military hero, yet was tragically assassinated in 1979.

Patwant Singh traces the evolution of the Sikh community, exploring its religious roots, martial traditions, social contributions, and the contemporary significance of its nearly 20 million members worldwide.

Khushwant Singh’s second volume traces Sikh history from 1839 to the 1980s, covering pivotal moments such as Operation Bluestar and including extensive documentary appendices.

The Mughal emperor Aurangzeb Alamgir is one of the most hated men in Indian history. Widely reviled as a religious fanatic who sought to violently oppress Hindus, he is even blamed by some for setting into motion conflicts that would result in the creation of a separate Muslim state in South Asia. In her lively overview of his life and influence, Audrey Truschke offers a clear-eyed perspective on the public debate over Aurangzeb and makes the case for why his often-maligned legacy deserves to be reassessed. Aurangzeb was arguably the most powerful and wealthiest ruler of his day. His nearly 50-year reign (1658-1707) had a profound influence on the political landscape of early modern India, and his legacy-real and imagined-continues to loom large in India and Pakistan today. Truschke evaluates Aurangzeb not by modern standards but according to the traditions and values of his own time, painting a picture of Aurangzeb as a complex figure whose relationship to Islam was dynamic, strategic, and sometimes contradictory. This book invites students of South Asian history and religion into the world of the Mughal Empire, framing the contemporary debate on Aurangzeb's impact and legacy in accessible and engaging terms.