“The Crows of Agra” book will teach a lesson “All that glitters is not Gold” or “Don’t judge book by it’s cover (other way)”. Because cover page design is attractive, fancy, good graphics with catchy title but plot or story is not up to the mark.
It is a historical fiction. A book written with historical character like Akbar , Birbal, Bairam Khan, Maham Anga, Raqiya Begam, Adham Khan and others.
I don’t understand why historical fiction is allowed to write (a book with historical character’s names but fictional plot). This is my general thinking not related to any specific book.Under historical fiction books authors add drama, thrill, suspense ,story as per their imagination to make the book interesting but it will harm the history as per my understanding. People may consider events in a book as a part of history, which is ideally baseless. Instead of this kind of imaginational plots with real names , they can write the same story with some imaginary characters. But that is not the subject of discussion here.)
This book is a story of political conspiracy adduce with murder mystery. With a base storyline – Bairam Khan is a care taker of Mughal Empire, till the time Akbar forced him to leave for the pilgrim. The day before he leaves,someone murdered him in his palace and it put royal family members and close ones under suspension. After investigation and questioning, Birbal solves the murder mystery with his brilliance as usual, which ends with shocking revelation.
During unfolding of this mystery, to add excitement some interesting fictional events have been added, like first meeting of Akbar- Mahesh Das; How Mahesh Das has given a name of Birbal; Why honest and loyal man of Mughal Family Bairam Khan was forced for pilgrim; Role of Maham Anga and his son in plot to seize the throne; Nature , behaviour of young Akabar; love and married life of Akbar; interesting one is plot to seize the throne and how brilliantly young Akbar overturned the plot and how he dealt with conspirators etc.
Story is not exciting, at some points small small events keep up the interest. At some point you will feel book is lengthy and wandering from base storyline. However you can read it at small risk. 3/5*
Chetan Nikam 