The Mughal period (16th to 18th century) in Indian history witnessed significant developments in art, culture, and politics. While it is often remembered for emperors and their military conquests, the role of women-especially those in the royal family and nobility-was equally significant, though largely underrepresented in historical narratives. Women in Mughal India contributed to political affairs, patronized the arts, and influenced imperial policies.
Mughal royal women, especially mothers and wives of emperors, held substantial influence in court affairs.
Babur’s daughter, Gulbadan Begum, authored the Humayun Nama, offering a rare female perspective on royal life.
Nur Jahan, the wife of Emperor Jahangir, was one of the most powerful women in Mughal history. She had coins struck in her name, issued royal decrees (firmans), and wielded immense political power.
Maham Anaga, Akbar’s wet nurse, acted as a political advisor and briefly controlled state affairs during his early reign.
These examples demonstrate that women were not just confined to the zenana (women’s quarters), but often played an active role in administration and diplomacy.
Mughal women from elite backgrounds were often well-educated.
Gulbadan Begum, as mentioned, was a writer.
Jahanara Begum, daughter of Shah Jahan, was a noted scholar and poet. She also wrote biographies and engaged in intellectual discussions at court.
Education was considered important among aristocratic women, particularly those who could influence politics or contribute to cultural life.
This literacy also extended to other court women, who maintained libraries and supported learning within the royal household.
Women in the Mughal Empire were significant patrons of architecture, literature, and religious institutions.
Jahanara Begum funded the construction of several public buildings, gardens, and caravanserais (rest houses for travelers). She was also involved in the development of Chandni Chowk, a famous market in Delhi.
Roshanara Begum, another daughter of Shah Jahan, built Roshanara Bagh in Delhi.
Their patronage helped in shaping the urban landscape and cultural environment of the empire.
Despite the active roles of elite women, most Mughal women-particularly from common backgrounds—were bound by patriarchal norms.
The purdah system (seclusion of women) was widely followed in upper-class Muslim households.
Women had limited rights in inheritance and property, though Islamic law (Sharia) did offer some provisions.
Early marriage and high fertility rates were common among women, particularly outside the elite class.
While women in the upper echelons of society could exercise influence, the majority of women lived under rigid gender norms with minimal autonomy.
Mughal women often engaged in religious endowments and charitable works.
They funded mosques, madrasas (Islamic schools), and hospices for the poor.
Mumtaz Mahal, wife of Shah Jahan, though best known for the Taj Mahal built in her memory, was known in her lifetime for charitable acts and welfare programs for widows and orphans.
These contributions helped strengthen the empire’s religious institutions and improved social welfare to some extent.
Women also featured prominently in Mughal art and court entertainment.
Courtly music and dance were popular forms of entertainment, with female musicians and dancers holding a respected, though socially complex, place.
Miniature paintings from the Mughal era depict women engaged in reading, music, and leisure, reflecting their presence in cultural life.
These depictions, while romanticized, give insights into the roles and perceptions of women in elite cultural settings.
The role of women in Mughal India was multifaceted and complex. While ordinary women faced social restrictions, women of the nobility exercised considerable influence in administration, education, cultural life, and charity. Figures like Nur Jahan and Jahanara Begum broke traditional gender norms and left a lasting imprint on the empire. Their legacy reminds us that even within a male-dominated society, women shaped history in vital, though often overlooked, ways.