Historys Angel by Anjum Hasan [Hardcover]

History's Angel centers around Alif, a middle-aged history teacher in contemporary Delhi, India. Alif, who is passionate about the city's rich past, struggles with the rising tide of religious and political intolerance in present-day India. His story unfolds against the backdrop of the nation's fraught relationship with its history, marked by tensions between its Muslim minority and Hindu majority.

The plot kicks off when Alif corrects a young student on a factual error about the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, and this simple act leads to unforeseen consequences. Alif's life begins to unravel as he faces personal crises, societal pressures, and growing hostilities in an environment where nationalism and religious sentiment seem to override reason. Through Alif’s introspective journey, the novel delves into themes of identity, history, and the weight of living in a deeply divided society.