Published Paper Details:

The Mughal women first stepped on the Indian soil back in 1501 when Emperor Babur left Samarkand along with a small band of Timurid-Mughal women to secure a home in Hindustan. Royal Mughal women were an important pillar to build and sustain the Mughal empire in India. Mughal women had an image of beautifully ornated ladies which have been portrayed in the paintings of their era. The status and role of women are often limited to one who stays behind the strong opaque walls of the harem and under the patriarchal protection of the ruler, limiting their contribution solely to the royal household. However, they lead many important spheres like economic patronage, charitable endowments, architecture, and especially trade which enable the Mughal Empire to sail smoothly. The sixteenth and the seventeenth century saw influx of trading activities with the increasing Indian Ocean trade. The Mughal emperors were fond of trade and commerce and participated actively in it. The emergence of trade by the royal ladies of the harem dates to Abkar's reign. Rulers like emperor Jahangir and Shah Jahan were great traders when they were princes. Mughal princesses also didn't stay back in the field. This paper traces and analyses the commercial activities led by the royal Mughal women focusing on Mariam-uz-Zamani, Nur Jahan, and Jahanara Begum. These Veiled traders with their contributions in architecture, poems, charity, writings, and commercial activities, especially trade, left their imprint despite being confined behind the secluded walls. Their lavish lifestyle led to the huge economic growth and developments in the Mughal empire.