To understand Mughal history, look at the wives and daughters. Not just male rulers |
Opinion National Interest PoV 50-Word Edit
ThePrint On Camera Videos In Pictures
Society & Culture Around Town Book Excerpts Vigyapanti The Dating Story
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Opinion National Interest PoV 50-Word Edit
ThePrint On Camera Videos In Pictures
Society & Culture Around Town Book Excerpts Vigyapanti The Dating Story
More Judiciary Education YourTurn Work With Us Campus Voice
To understand Mughal history, look at the wives and daughters. Not just male rulers
Descriptions of life in the residential quarters of the palace give us a greater insight into the culture of the Mughals beyond performative aspects of court ritual and etiquette.
Among the many beautiful paintings commissioned by Mughal Emperor Jahangir is one by the painter Bishan Das, which depicts the birth of Salim—the given name of the emperor. The painting captures the first few moments after the birth. The lower part depicts the scene just outside the birth chamber—an older woman in a tall Chaghtai hat announces the birth to the waiting astrologers. Inside the birth chamber, a similarly dressed but clearly regal lady sits on a chair, surrounded by women engaged in various activities. They are of various ages and appearances—some dressed in the Chaghtai manner and some in an Indian style, wearing short, tight bodices with dupattas covering their heads. The topmost part of the painting depicts the newborn and his mother, who can clearly be identified as an Indian from her features and mode of dress.
The painting brings to life an important aspect of Jahangir’s heritage—the fact that his mother was a Rajput, the daughter of the ruler of Amer. While this is by no means hidden from those who have even a passing familiarity with Mughal history, the implications are not always fully appreciated. The painting by Bishan Das shows us an early moment in the transformation of the Mughal royal family itself. It shows us the contrast between the Mughal lady of an earlier generation and the young Rajput queen, who has just given birth to the heir. The other women in the room give us a hint of the changes that must have been brought into the royal household by the entourage that came with the queen. One woman sitting in the room plays a dholak in........