Zeb-un-Nissa (15 February 1638 – 26 May 1702) was a Mughal princess and the eldest child of Emperor Aurangzeb and his chief consort, Dilras Banu Begum. She was also a poet, who wrote under the pseudonym of "Makhfi, (Hidden, Disguised, Concealed One).
Imprisoned by her father in the last 20 years of her life at Salimgarh Fort, Delhi, Princess Zeb-un-Nissa is remembered as a poet, and her writings were collected posthumously as Diwan-i-Makhfi.
Minaxi Chandarana has published an impressive array of literary works, including the Ghazal collection "Sanjane Sune Khune," children's poems "Hey! Hey!" (2007), and children's stories like "Varta Re Varta" (2008) and "Tinkubhai! Let's Go to the World" (2020). Minaxi's portfolio also includes memoirs of the journalist Shivkumar Acharya, "Ahinthi Gaya E Rann Tharf" (2014), the long Ghazal "Saraswati Vandana" (2019), and the poems of Zebunnissa, "Diwan-e-Zebunnissa" (2022).
Minaxi Chandarana has received numerous accolades, such as the Jayantormi Sahitya Seva Trust Award (2022), Gujarat Sahitya Akademi Awards (2007, 2008, 2015), American Congress Library recognition (2014), and many more. Minaxi's work spans Ghazals, short stories, articles, and essays in various literary publications.
Upcoming releases include another Ghazal collection and an article collection, showcasing Minaxi's continued contribution to the literary world.
