The first one, it's "The White Mughals" from William Dalrymple. I already post a little something in Bharat Mata:

William Dalrymple(post from Bhrata Mata).

The second one, I still didn't started but I was fascinated by the lovely cover and by the story. The "Empress Orchid" seems a really captivating book. Maybe I'll look at empress Cixi a little more differently after.;-)

The Guardian Review