Pakistan, Dec. 28 -- The Deccan has historically been a constant source of envy and fascination for its Northern counterparts. No wonder Aurangzeb, the last of the great Mughals spent most of his reign campaigning in these exotic lands than on his throne in Delhi. This would also later prove to be one of his most disastrous decisions that contributed to the eventual decline of the Mughal Empire, weakening its administration and treasury. The emperors Shah Jahan, Aurangzeb's father also harboured dreams of conquering these lands, but he was repeatedly thwarted by Malik Ambar - a former Ethiopian slave who ruled the princely state of Ahmadnagar.

The book Rebel Sultans, by Manu S. Pillai aims to shine a light on these forgotten chapters of ...