Nourmahal, an Oriental romance. Vol. 1 of 3

"Nourmahal, an Oriental romance. Vol. 1 of 3" by Michael J. Quin is a novel written in the early 19th century. Set beyond the Himalayas, it blends pastoral love and high adventure as the gentle scholar Kazim Ayas and his wife Mangeli are swept into the power struggle of the fugitive chieftain Suleiman against the Mogul commander Mirtas. Expect lush landscape description, camp-life spectacle, and intrigue framed as a Kashmiri storyteller’s tale, with romance and loyalty tested by war and disguise.

The opening of the novel follows Kazim, who, while searching for his falcon, stumbles into a hidden cavern-lake and the secret camp of Suleiman; entrusted with a mission by the adviser Baba Seirami, he unwittingly helps bring the Mogul force of Mirtas into a fatal clash that routs Suleiman. Wounded, Suleiman escapes, disguises himself as a dervish, and stages a daring night rescue of Seirami and Kazim from a Karaman caravanserai, tricking guards and thieves and leaving the town in confusion while Mirtas proclaims him dead. The trio aim to lie low at Kazim’s cottage on the Ilamish, pause at a saint’s tomb, and are embraced by a migrating horde whose hospitality, performances, and hidden martial spirit revive Suleiman’s hopes. He quietly recruits allies, sends letters to mountain chiefs, and plans a return against Karaman. As this beginning closes, two exhausted travelers—Gulbeg and his daughter—reach the camp, and Kazim is unexpectedly reunited with Mangeli.