What secrets lie beneath the ruins of one of the world’s oldest civilizations? The Dancing Girl of Mohenjo-Daro by Mirza M. Shakir is a gripping historical-fiction novel that brings the ancient Indus Valley Civilization to life through a story of love, power, knowledge, and ambition.
The novel begins in 1934, during the British excavations at Mohenjo-Daro, where young British archaeologist Stephen Burton becomes fascinated by a local legend connecting the famous “Priest King” and “Dancing Girl” statues to a forgotten civilization. Through the memories of an elderly man named Lala, readers are transported thousands of years into the past to the ancient city of Kukutarma.
At the heart of the story is the forbidden love between the priest Poshwa and the slave girl Surni, and their gifted son Puria. As the civilization grows, the narrative explores social inequality, religion, politics, and the pursuit of knowledge, ultimately leading toward a tragic end.
A retired Professor of Dentistry from Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Mirza M. Shakir brings a lifetime of academic and professional experience to his debut novel. Educated in dentistry at Liaquat Medical College and the University of Karachi, he served as Professor, Principal, and Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry, while also contributing to dental education and publishing six scientific papers.
Rooted in his fascination with Pakistani heritage and history, The Dancing Girl of Mohenjo-Daro offers readers an evocative fictional journey into the mysteries of a civilization that continues to intrigue the modern world.