2019, Vol. 1, Issue 1, Part A

The Mughals the Mughals established the biggest empire of medieval India and their legitimacy was unparalleled in Indian history. Babur laid the foundations of the Empire in 1525-26 by conquering Delhi. The Mughals set long lasting precedents and institutions on Indian soil. Babur’s grandson Akbar under whom the Empire grew geographically as well as culturally was the architect of this Empire. Since his regime several changes took place, some good some not so good. The role Women played in the politics of Mughal Empire was also unique in many ways. With regard to this issue we can divide the Mughal era into parts, pre-Akbar and Akbar onwards. Under Akbar the Empire acquired institutional grandeur and certain rigidity in its attitudes. There were several reasons for this which will be discussed later. Prior to Akbar however, the political situation was much more fluid and therefore open, given the fact that both Babur and Humayun spent much of their time wandering (unsettled life) from place to place and in almost continuous warfare for political and personal survival. This fluidity allowed the women of their times to play important and direct political roles, i.e., of mediating and administering, etc.