Fortress of the Forgotten Ones - Softcover

Riaz, Fahmida

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1960385518 ISBN 13: 9781960385512

Publisher: Open Letter, 2026

Synopsis

Winner of the Armory Square Prize for South Asian Literature in Translation

In Fortress of the Forgotten Ones, Fahmida Riaz transports readers to fifth-century Ctesiphon, the zenith of the Sassanian Empire, in a brilliant historical novel that blends rich cultural memory with striking political relevance. Set against the backdrop of fire worshippers, Parsi kings, and the ancient Avesta, this ambitious tale follows Mazdak, the first socialist revolutionary in history, as he challenges the power structures of his time.

With vivid depictions of the Great Palace of King Qobad, the lands of the White Huns, and the impoverished masses, Riaz delves deep into the forces of history that shaped Mazdak's quest for social justice. A masterpiece of historical fiction, Fortress of the Forgotten Ones is a powerful meditation on erasure, cultural identity, and the fight for justice that resonates with our contemporary world.

About this title

About the Authors

Fahmida Riaz (1946-2018) was a pioneering Pakistani writer, poet, translator, and human rights activist. Born in Meerut, British India, and raised in Hyderabad, Sindh, Riaz was a bold political voice who used her writing to challenge societal norms and address issues of social justice, gender, and political repression. A fearless critic of authoritarian regimes, she was involved in the anti-Ayub Khan movement and faced charges of sedition under General Zia's martial law, leading to a period of exile in India. Riaz's literary contributions include several poetry collections, novels, and translations, most notably her translations of Persian and classical Sufi works into Urdu. During her lifetime, she received the Himmett-Hellman Award for Resistance Literature and the Sitara-e-Imtiaz.

Sana Chaudhry is a Pakistani writer, translator, and editor known for her contributions to South Asian literature. With a background in the humanities, she has dedicated much of her career to translating works of Urdu literature into English and various literary and cultural projects aimed at preserving and promoting the literary traditions of South Asia.

Edition details

• Publisher: Open Letter
• Publication date: 2026
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1960385518
• ISBN 13: 9781960385512
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 180