Domestic Life in the 16th Century as Reflected in the Literature of Sur Das
By S. P. Sangar
Summary
Drawing on the poetry of the devotional poet Sur Das and other contemporary sources, this article reconstructs the domestic life of 16th‑century northern India. It discusses housing arrangements: wealthy families lived in palatial mahals with orchards, middle‑class dwellings were called griha or alaya, and common people lived in thatched huts (madayia). Homes typically had courtyards, balconies and sometimes small windows. The study also catalogues clothing terms; for boys the lower garments included kachhni, suthan and pitambar while upper garments like jhaga and bagel were loose shirts or robes. It describes various scarves (uparaina, nichol, pamari) and notes that men wore dhoti, pitambar, patuka and pichhora, with the dhoti remaining an essential garment. Cross‑references with travellers’ accounts show continuity in dress and domestic architecture. Although primarily devotional, the literature of Sur Das provides detailed insights into everyday life, revealing class distinctions and social customs.
Conclusion
By examining references to houses, clothes and domestic objects in Sur Das’s poetry, the author uncovers a vivid picture of 16th‑century life. The descriptions show that economic status determined the size and style of dwellings, children and adults wore a variety of garments, and community life revolved around courtyards and gardens. These observations demonstrate how literary works can serve as important sources for social history.