**Cloistered Spaces and Invisible Politics: Women in Mughal India**
By Rekha Pande, M.N. RAJESH
Summary
The article examines the historical invisibility of women in Mughal India, particularly within the harem system, using Gulbadan Begum’s *Humayunama* as a primary source. It critiques traditional historiography for prioritizing male-dominated domains like politics and warfare, marginalizing women’s roles in domestic and social spheres. While women like Razia Sultan and Nur Jahan are noted for their exceptional political roles, these cases are exceptions shaped by unique circumstances rather than systemic inclusion. The harem, though a space where women held relative influence, remains understudied in historical narratives. The feminist movement’s emphasis on women’s agency has highlighted the need to re-examine patriarchal sources and methodologies. The article argues that women’s history must be constructed as a distinct sociological group, acknowledging gendered social controls and variations across time and society. It critiques Western-centric feminist frameworks and calls for new methodologies to uncover women’s experiences in medieval India, emphasizing the need to re-interpret existing sources and challenge male-biased narratives. Gulbadan Begum’s firsthand account of Mughal monarchy underscores the potential for recovering women’s voices from within patriarchal constraints.
Conclusion
This study highlights the critical need to re-examine historical narratives through a feminist lens, particularly in Mughal India, where traditional sources overwhelmingly prioritize male-centric political and military domains. By analyzing Gulbadan Begum’s *Humayunama*, the authors reveal the limited but significant roles women occupied in shaping imperial structures, often confined to domestic or behind-the-scenes political influence. The paper critiques the patriarchal frameworks of conventional historiography, which marginalize women’s experiences, and advocates for innovative methodologies to recover their contributions. It underscores the necessity of recognizing women as a distinct social group, challenging biological determinism, and addressing the Eurocentric biases in existing scholarship. Ultimately, the study calls for a more inclusive historical paradigm that acknowledges women’s agency and integrates their narratives into broader socio-political analyses, moving beyond the constraints of male-dominated records.