3 Review(s)

My Feudal Lord is a devastating indictment of women’s role in Muslim society. Published in 1996, it is the biography of Tehmina Durrani, who happens to be the author of the book as well. The book attracted a lot of criticism from the male-dominated society of Pakistan. The author describes her traumatic marriage with Ghulam Mustafa Khar. He was then the Chief Minister, and thus the book reflects the author’s personal experience of the feudal society. After marriage to this leading political figure, Tehmina moves into the best social circles and keeps her image intact of a cultivated and glamorous wife. However, the true story behind this happy tale is much disturbing. Tehmina has to be with her violently possessive husband, who is also morbidly jealous. He cuts his wife from the social world and she, on the other hand, suffers alone for the sake of her marriage and relationship. Now when this woman with brains and beauty hailing from a wealthy background decides to rebel, she has to pay heavily. She is denied any financial support and the custody of her children. Also, she is renounced by her parents and estranged from friends. This book is the outcome when she decides to take control of her fate and tell her story to the world. It provides insight into the plight of women caught in the Muslim society. Tehmina Durrani, born on February 18, 1953, was privileged to study at the same school as Benazir Bhutto. She has also written Blasphemy: A Novel. She was born to a wealthy, educated, and influential family in Pakistan. Her first marriage took place with Anees Khan when she was 17. However, the couple divorced and she got married again to Khar. Her first book was her autobiography that became an international bestseller. The book actually discovers the brutal reality of the feudal landlords in Muslim society besides detailing her distorted marriage with her husband. She is also a social activist and today works towards the emancipation of women in Pakistan.