Harem was not just a private place in the Mughal court. This was the home world of the royal familyImage Credit source: AI Picture
If there is talk of harem in the Mughal period, today’s generation takes it in different meanings. Today the practice of purdah is prevalent in Muslim families. This was also during the Mughal period. But there was very little orthodoxy during the Mughal period. From history books to biographies of Mughal emperors, many women associated with the harem have been discussed very prominently, who played an important role in everything from strengthening the rule, settling internal disputes to business and governance.
Come, let us know who were those important women of the harem, who not only strengthened the Mughal Sultanate but also handled it in their own way from time to time. Harem was not just a private place in the Mughal court. This was the domestic world of the royal family. It was from here that relationships were formed. It was from here that advice, patronage, and appointments were affected. Some women stabilized the regime by staying within this circle. Some took over power in crisis.
The relationship between harem and power was interesting
In the Mughal rule, along with the emperor, the house was also the center of politics. The women of the harem did not fight directly. But she did many other things. She looked after the heir. She used to balance the court factions. She gained popularity through charity, trade, and religious patronage. It can be said that home and power were not separate.
1- Akbar’s foster mother Maham Anga
Maham Anga was Akbar’s nurse mother i.e. milk mother. When Akbar came to the throne at a very young age, he needed experienced support. Maham Anga played a big role in the court at that time. His family also became influential. The name of his son Adham Khan figures in Akbar’s early power struggles. Description of Maham Anga and his group is found in Abul Fazal’s Akbarnama. This period shows that women associated with the harem were indirectly but decisive in royal affairs. However, Akbar later made his rule independent and limited such influences.
Maham Anga
2- Queen Mother Hamida Banu Begum
Hamida Bano Begum was important as a queen mother. It was not easy to keep the royal family together during Humayun’s difficult times, exile and return. Even during Akbar’s rule, mother’s moral and family support was considered important. Gulbadan Begum’s work Humayunnama gives a glimpse of the domestic and political tensions of that time. This source states that women helped stabilize the polity through royal travel, kinship, and domestic decisions.
3- Important role of Akbar’s Begum Mariam-uz-Zamani
The name of Maryam-uz-Zamani is especially visible in the post-Akbar period. She is often remembered as the mother of Jahangir and an influential queen mother. Some studies mention their economic and business networks. Activities like maritime trade and charity enhanced royal prestige. A detailed description of Akbar’s court and administration is found in Ain-e-Akbari. Later research explains that the economic power of women was also political power in the Mughal family. Historians Irfan Habib and Ruby Lal have also confirmed this.
Noorjahan.
4- Noorjahan used to rule from behind the scenes
Noor Jahan is one of the most famous royal women in Mughal history. She became exceptionally influential during Jahangir’s rule. There is mention of a decree being issued in his name. The issue of minting coins in his name also comes up in historical writings. They formed family-based alliances. He balanced the factions in the court. Jahangir’s autobiography Tuzuk-e-Jahangiri gives an important indication of the politics of that era. Modern research on Noor Jahan also shows that she was not just a queen. She was also a political manager. Her role shows that the women of the harem, with the right networks and capacity, can run the state machinery.
Jahanara Begum.
6- Jahanara Begum’s role is important in governance
Jahanara Begum was the elder daughter of Shahjahan. After the death of Mumtaz Mahal, he got a lot of prestige in the monarchy. All this was considered the highest in the running of the harem and the royal household. She was also associated with Sufi tradition. His socio-religious influence extended beyond the court. Jahanara also wrote some works. There is mention of writings based on Sufi saints in them. Her life shows that royal women also exercised cultural leadership. They built public acceptance through donations, construction, and patronage. The tensions within the family intensified due to Shahjahan’s succession struggle. At such a time, handling the structure of the house was also like handling power.
Roshanara.
7- Roshanara Begum used to interfere in the politics of succession.
Roshanara Begum was the sister of Jahanara. His political choices and alliances in the war of succession are also discussed in historical texts. In that civil war, every group needed legitimacy and support. The support of the women of the royal family was also a sign. The description of Aurangzeb’s early period reflects court politics and the internal conflict within the family. There is clear mention of this in works like Alamgirnama. The incident of Roshanara shows that harem politics sometimes reached directly to the throne.
In simple words, it is clear that considering the women of the Mughal harem only as veiled is an incomplete picture. She was at the center of power where relationships, parenting, advice, wealth, and protection worked together. Maham Anga supported the early rule. Hamida Bano kept the family together. Mariam-uz-Zamani gave an example of maternal power and economic influence. Noorjahan showed extreme ability in governance and management. Jahanara and Roshanara showed that succession and domestic positions are also state politics. It is clear from these examples that the role of some women of the harem in managing the Mughal Sultanate was real and effective.
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