Mughal empire and the role of royal women
Author(s): Shabnam Bharti
Abstract: The history of the Mughal Empire (1526-1857) is often narrated through emperors, military conquests and administrative reforms. However, the women of the Mughal harem-queens, princesses and royal consorts played a significant role in shaping the political, cultural, and economic landscape of the empire. This paper examines the lives and contributions of major Mughal queens including Hamida Banu Begum, Ruqaiya Sultan Begum, Salima Sultan Begum, Mariam-uz-Zamani (Jodha Bai), Nur Jahan, Mumtaz Mahal, Jahanara Begum and Zeb-un-Nissa, focusing on their political agency, architectural patronage, literary and economic contributions. Drawing upon primary chronicles such as the
Baburnama,
Akbarnama, and
Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri, along with insights from modern historians, this research establishes that Mughal queens were not passive royal figures but influential contributors to imperial governance, diplomatic strategies and the cultural landscape of the empire.
DOI: 10.22271/27069109.2025.v7.i12b.595Pages: 85-89 | Views: 267 | Downloads: 206Download Full Article: Click Here
