The novel by Wallace, the author of the famous classic Ben-Hur, deals mainly with the conquest of Constantinople by the Turks in 1453. The "Prince of India" plays a not inconsiderable role in this context. He is not a real Indian prince, but a Jewish shoemaker who was condemned by God to wander the earth until the end of time. His wanderings lead him as far as China. From there he returns to Constantinople and is drawn into the romantic relationship of the Turkish heir to the throne with Princess Irene, a relative of the ruler of Constantinople, and the struggle for Constantinople. Volume I of II.

Lewis "Lew" Wallace (* 10. April 1827 - 1905) war ein US-amerikanischer Rechtsanwalt, General und Schriftsteller, der v.a. durch das Opus "Ben Hur" bekannt wurde.