After carving a free of charge state for itself in war-torn 17th century Europe, citizens of the modern town of Grantville, Western Virginia go on a quest for the makings of medicines which have yet to become invented in 17th century European countries. AMERICA of Europe, the new nation formed by an alliance between your Swedish ruler Gustavus Adolphus and the Western Virginians hurled back in its history by a cosmic accident-the Ring of Fire-is beset by foes on all sides. The U.S.E. needs a reliable source of opiates for about 1636: Mission towards the Mughals those wounded doing his thing, as well as other goods unavailable in Europe. The Prime Minister of the U.S.E., Mike Stearns, sends a mission towards the Mughal Empire of India with the aim of securing a trade cope with the Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan. The objective includes a mixed group of up-timers and down-timers, including paramedics, a squad of military with railroad-building experience, a spy and a set of swindlers. On achieving India the objective finds a grieving emperor enthusiastic about building the Taj Mahal, harem-bound princesses, warrior princes, and an Afghan adventurer embroiled in the countless plots from the Mughal courtroom. The emperor’s sons are plotting against each other and war is definitely brewing using the recently risen Sikh beliefs. However in the midst of these intrigues, the U.S.E. mission discovers a ally: the excellent and gorgeous Jahanara Begum, the eldest girl of Shah Jahan. She is the mistress of her father’s harem and a power in her very own right, who desires to learn more of these women who are free in ways she can scarcely comprehend. When the Emperor learns of what befalls his empire and children in the time that was, he makes every effort to improve their fate. But emperors, princesses, and princes are no more immune to the inexorable waves of alter created with the Band of Fireplace than are the Americans themselves.