Assess the role played by women in the Mughal imperial household.

In the Mughal families, the king had wives, deputy wives, maid-servants and slaves.

(i)    Except wives, the Mughal families had many women slaves. They performed even minor jobs besides jobs requiring tact, wisdom and intelligence. There were also slaves Khawjasar. They were agents of women who had interest in trade. They also served as servants and bodyguards both inside and outside the family.

(ii)    After Noor Jahan, Mughal queens and princesses started having a control on financial matters. Jahan Ara and Roshan Ara, the daughters of Shah Jahan, got high salary just like high mansabdars. Besides Jahan Ara got revenue from the city of Surat. This port city was an important centre of trade.

(iii)    As the women had control over important financial resources, the important women of the Mughal family got constructed buildings and gardens. Jahan Ara took part in the architectural projects in the new capital of Shah Jahan at Shahjahanbad (Delhi). It also had a double-story caravan serai which had a vast compound and a beautiful garden.

(iv)    The design of Chandni Chowk, the main attraction of Shahjahanbad, was prepared by Jahan Ara.

(v)    We get a glimpse of the family life of the Mughals from Humayunama which was erected by Gulbadan. Begum Gulbadan was the daughter of Babur and the sister of Humayun. She could even write serials in Turkish and Arabic.