Daughters of the Sun

1. Timurid Women: Architects of Empire

For tactics and strategy there were few women like my grandmother…she was intelligent and a good planner. Most affairs were settled with her counsel.

Strategic Influence. From the earliest days of the Mughal dynasty, women played a crucial role in shaping its destiny. Aisan Daulat Begum, Babur's grandmother, was renowned for her strategic acumen and was a trusted advisor. These women were not merely ornaments but active participants in the political and military affairs of the empire.

Matriarchal Strength. The Timurid lineage valued the wisdom and strength of its matriarchs. These women provided stability, counsel, and leadership during times of turmoil, often acting as regents, ambassadors, and peacekeepers. Their influence extended beyond the domestic sphere, impacting the course of Mughal history.

Examples of Influence:

• Aisan Daulat Begum guiding Babur's early campaigns
• Khanzada Begum negotiating with Uzbek warlords
• Hamida Banu's role in Akbar's upbringing

These women were the bedrock upon which the early Mughal empire was built, their contributions often overlooked in traditional historical accounts.

2. The Mobile Zenana: A Nomadic Legacy

When the Central Asian semi-nomadic warlord Babur rode into Hindustan, he did not only bring his warriors with him. He brought his ‘haraman’ or household, which included elderly matrons, young wives, children, servants, widowed relatives, divorced sisters and unmarried royal relatives.

Home on the Move. The early Mughal zenana was not a fixed, cloistered space but a mobile entity that traveled with the emperor and his armies. Women lived in tents, rode horses, and endured the hardships of nomadic life alongside their men. This constant movement blurred the lines between public and private spheres.

Creating a Homeland. Even in the midst of war and exile, the women of the zenana worked to create a sense of home and stability. They arranged marriages, raised children, and maintained cultural traditions, providing a sense of continuity and identity for the fledgling empire.

Examples of Mobility:

• Khanzada Begum traveling as an ambassador at age sixty-five
• Maham Begum, Dildar Begum, and Gulrukh Begum bearing Babur's children while constantly on the move
• Humayun taking his haraman into battle and on sightseeing excursions

This nomadic lifestyle shaped the character of the early Mughal court, fostering resilience, adaptability, and a strong sense of community among the women of the zenana.

3. Sacrifice and Power: Khanzada Begum's Enduring Influence

Babar Padishah gave up Khanzada Begum in exchange for his own life, and escaped.

A Sister's Sacrifice. Khanzada Begum, Babur's elder sister, made a profound sacrifice when she was left behind with the Uzbek warlord Shaybani Khan to secure Babur's safety. This act of selflessness cemented her status as a revered figure within the Mughal clan.

Resilience and Reintegration. Despite enduring years of captivity and forced marriage, Khanzada Begum was eventually reunited with her family and reintegrated into the Mughal court. She faced no stigma for her experiences and was instead celebrated for her courage and loyalty.

Padshah Begum. Khanzada Begum's influence grew over time, culminating in her appointment as Padshah Begum of Hindustan. This title, rarely bestowed upon women, recognized her unique authority and the respect she commanded within the Mughal empire.

Khanzada Begum's life exemplifies the strength, resilience, and political acumen of Mughal women, who often played crucial roles in shaping the destiny of the empire.

4. Akbar's Zenana: A Crucible of Cultures

Through Badauni’s consistently appalled commentary, we realize that the Rajput women that Akbar married, and in particular Harkha Bai, brought with them their Vedic fires, their sun worship, their vegetarianism, their marriage rituals, their fasts and their Rajasthani clothes.

Expanding the Harem. Akbar's policy of marrying Rajput princesses to secure alliances led to a significant expansion of the Mughal zenana. These women brought with them their own cultural traditions, religious practices, and retinues, transforming the zenana into a melting pot of diverse influences.

Cultural Exchange. The influx of Rajput women into the zenana had a profound impact on Mughal culture. They introduced new culinary practices, religious rituals, and artistic styles, enriching the court and challenging traditional norms.

Religious Tolerance. Akbar's openness to different faiths and his willingness to incorporate Hindu traditions into court life sparked controversy among orthodox Muslims. However, it also fostered a climate of religious tolerance and intellectual exchange that characterized his reign.

The presence of Rajput women in Akbar's zenana contributed to the syncretic nature of Mughal culture, blending Persian, Central Asian, and Indian elements into a unique and vibrant synthesis.

5. Noor Jahan: The Empress as Equal

By the light of the sun of the emperor Jahangir, the bezel of the seal of Noor Jahan, the Empress of the age has become resplendent like the moon.

Breaking Barriers. Noor Jahan, Jahangir's wife, was an exceptional woman who defied traditional gender roles and wielded significant political power. She issued royal farmans, minted coins in her name, and even led troops into battle, challenging the patriarchal norms of the Mughal court.

A Skilled Administrator. Noor Jahan was not merely a figurehead but a skilled administrator who played a key role in governing the empire. She oversaw trade, patronized the arts, and dispensed justice, earning the respect and admiration of many.

European Perceptions. European observers often struggled to understand Noor Jahan's power and influence, attributing it to Jahangir's weakness or sexual infatuation. However, her achievements were a testament to her own intelligence, ambition, and political acumen.

Noor Jahan's life challenges the traditional narrative of Mughal women as passive figures confined to the domestic sphere, highlighting their capacity for leadership and their impact on the political landscape.

6. Mumtaz Mahal: Beyond the Taj, a Lost Legacy

Of all the Mughal women in this book, Mumtaz Mahal is the most elusive, hidden behind the excess of her children, the luminous, glorious legacy of her husband, and the flawless perfection of the ‘greatest monument to love’ ever built.

Subsumed by Love. Mumtaz Mahal's legacy has been largely overshadowed by the Taj Mahal, the magnificent mausoleum built by Shah Jahan in her memory. The focus on her role as a beloved wife has obscured her own personality, achievements, and contributions to the Mughal court.

A Woman of Influence. Despite the lack of detailed historical records, it is clear that Mumtaz Mahal was a woman of influence and intelligence. She was a trusted advisor to Shah Jahan, a patron of the arts, and a mother to fourteen children, shaping the future of the Mughal dynasty.

The Price of Immortality. Mumtaz Mahal's memory has been immortalized through the Taj Mahal, but at the cost of her own identity. The monument, while a testament to love, also serves as a reminder of the limitations placed upon women in Mughal society.

Mumtaz Mahal's story highlights the challenges of recovering the voices and experiences of women from history, particularly when their lives have been romanticized or reduced to a single, defining narrative.

7. Jahanara and Roshanara: Sibling Rivalry and Political Intrigue

The sisters would stake all they had in this battle, their wealth and their liberty, and would bring about the most unexpected reversal of fortunes.

A Divided House. The succession struggle between Shah Jahan's sons, Dara Shikoh and Aurangzeb, deeply divided the Mughal court and even pitted sisters against each other. Jahanara Begum, the Padshah Begum, supported her brother Dara Shikoh, while Roshanara Begum aligned herself with Aurangzeb.

Staking Their Claims. The sisters used their wealth, influence, and political connections to advance the cause of their chosen brother. Their actions had a significant impact on the outcome of the succession struggle, shaping the future of the Mughal empire.

A Reversal of Fortunes. The victory of Aurangzeb led to a dramatic reversal of fortunes for Jahanara and Roshanara. Jahanara, who had enjoyed years of power and prestige, was imprisoned and stripped of her wealth, while Roshanara rose to prominence as Aurangzeb's confidante.

The story of Jahanara and Roshanara illustrates the high stakes of Mughal succession politics and the complex relationships between women in the imperial family.

8. The Fading Light: Zeb-un-Nisa and the End of an Era

From her prison on the Yamuna she wrote poetry while Shahjahanbad, abandoned, gathered dust and an unassailable nostalgia for the glories of the past.

A Disappeared Woman. Zeb-un-Nisa, Aurangzeb's daughter, was a talented poet and scholar who was caught on the wrong side of succession politics. She was imprisoned for more than twenty years, her life and legacy largely erased from official Mughal histories.

A Lost Voice. Despite her confinement, Zeb-un-Nisa continued to write poetry, expressing her longing for freedom, her spiritual insights, and her reflections on the changing world around her. Her words offer a glimpse into the inner life of a woman who was silenced by political circumstances.

The Waning of the Mughal Empire. Zeb-un-Nisa's story reflects the decline of the Mughal empire under Aurangzeb's rule. The glorious capitals of the past were abandoned, the arts were suppressed, and the once-vibrant court became a shadow of its former self.

Zeb-un-Nisa's life serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of power and the enduring power of the human spirit, even in the face of adversity.

Last updated: February 22, 2025