Heritage is the invaluable treasure trove of artistic, historical and cultural legacies passed down throughout the ages. While these legacies have celebrated men for eons, women play a crucial role in promoting, shaping and preserving heritage. They are the pillars of cultural continuity and guardians of tradition throughout the world.
India is a land steeped in history and boasts an incredible heritage. One cannot overlook the remarkable contribution of women in establishing and subsequently preserving this heritage. Even before recorded history, India’s heritage was anchored in matriarchal societies. They laid the basis for women to rise as powerful individuals and defy the norms in those times. An interesting example would be the matronymics of the Satavahanas – it was significant that in an otherwise patriarchal world, kings traced their lineage through the erstwhile queens of the family.
The literary landscape of India has been enriched through the voices of talented women who dared to defy societal norms and traditional expectations. The much revered Rigveda and Tamil Sangam poetry bear the prints of early female writers, as does the Madhura Vijayam, an important contribution to Kannada poetry by the Vijayanagar queen Gangadevi.
Women also played a prominent role in expanding the scope of Indian literature throughout medieval India. Poets like Akka Mahadevi, Andal and Mirabai emerged as important figures of the Bhakti movement. Their verses, overflowing with devotion and love, transcended the barriers of caste and gender. Gulbadan Begum’s Humayun Nama is one of the most important sources to study the reign of her brother and the second Mughal emperor, Humayun. Jahanara Begum, the daughter of Emperor Shah Jahan, was a talented writer and scholar. Moreover, Empress Nur Jahan and Princess Zeb-un-Nissa Begum were poets and patrons of the arts. The colonial era witnessed a surge of women writers who engaged with broader social and political issues. Writers like Sarojini Naidu, Kamala Das and Ismat Chughtai did not shy away from approaching complex topics. Their works revolved around themes of identity, freedom and women’s rights.
In a world dominated by men, there were exceptional stories of women holding power and influence. The period following the Iron Age witnessed powerful women like Princess Sanghamitra, Prabhavatigupta and Gautami Balashri. The only female ruler of the Delhi Sultanate, Sultan Razia had a brief but eventful reign characterized by her reforms and benevolence. Razia was intelligent, brave and a remarkable leader. On the other hand, her contemporary, Queen Rudrama Devi of the Kakatiyas was celebrated for her administrative acumen and military skills. Nur Jahan, the wife of Emperor Jahangir, is considered the most powerful empress in Mughal history. She issued farmans, owned a navy and had her own royal seal. Coins were minted in her name, her face marked on them, an extraordinary feat in those times. Besides Nur Jahan, other Mughal royal women also held influence. Like Nur Jahan, Hamida Banu Begum, the mother of Emperor Akbar, owned a seal. Shah Jahan always valued Jahanara’s wisdom and paid heed to her advice in different matters. Much before that, the beginning of the Mughal Empire was possible because of the support of royal women. Lost and hopeless, 12-year-old Babur had no kingdom, yet he managed to sustain himself because of his grandmother, Aisan Daulat Begum. Babur also received the support of his sister, Khanzada Begum, who made a big sacrifice for her family. Later, she continued to be a trusted confidante and advisor to Humayun. Women brought a beacon of hope and strength as the Mughal emperors were embroiled in dark, unpredictable journeys. Born in the middle of a vicious fratricidal war, Akbar was a child when he got separated from his parents. In such terrible circumstances, Maham Anga and Jiji Anga took care of him.
Women’s resilience was unbreakable. During the Revolt of 1857, women such as Rani Lakshmibai and Begum Hazrat Mahal spearheaded the rebellion from their areas. But women waged a greater war against backward thinking and countless stereotypes propagated in society. Many women reformers were active in colonial India, such as Pandita Ramabai and Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain.
When it comes to art and architecture, women have left behind a vast cultural legacy. Many queens took part in temple architecture. For instance, the creation of the wonderful Rani ki Vav is attributed to Queen Udayamati. Humayun’s wife, Bega Begum commissioned a tomb for him in Delhi, laying out the template for later Mughal tombs and establishing India’s first garden tomb. Nur Jahan built a beautiful monument dedicated to her parents, the Tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah. Jahanara Begum was also instrumental in contributing to her father’s new city, Shahjahanabad, envisioning Chandni Chowk.
One must not forget to celebrate women who left their mark in the world of tunes and beats. A celebrated classical singer and dancer, Gauhar Jaan was one of the first Indian artists to record music on the gramophone. In history, there are artists whose tales remain forgotten. The courtesans or tawaifs were skilled in classical dance forms. They were highly respected women who would teach children different languages and educate them in etiquette, ethics and philosophy.
In the tapestry of the cultural heritage of India, women have woven threads of brilliance and resilience across diverse realms. Some worked in the shadows, while some openly rose in defiance. Their stories remind us that heritage does not merely include artifacts of the past, but it is a living, breathing entity that evolves with every heartbeat and embodies the spirit of those who shaped it. The mosaic of India’s past shall always be adorned with the achievements of women.
Sources
- Tanwar, Reicha. Women of Mughal Empire, unveiled. The Tribune, India. 2018. https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/book-reviews/women-of-mughal-empire-unveiled-616378
- Mitra, Sudipta. Pearl by the River. Rupa Publications India, New Delhi. 2017
- Gupta, Subhadra S. Fatehpur Sikri: Akbar’s Magnificent City on a Hill. Niyogi Books, New Delhi. 2013
- 4. Eaton, Richard M. India in the Persianate Age (1000- 1765). Penguin Random House, United Kingdom. 2019
- 5. Gupta, Madhur. Courting Hindustan: The Consuming Passions of Iconic Women Performers of India. Rupa Publications India, New Delhi. 2023
- 6. Dr. Shradha. (2022). Education and Empowerment: Women in Ancient India. Journal of Positive School Psychology. Vol. 6, No. 5, 8011-8016
About the Author : Viraal Saini
Hello there, I’m Viraal, interning at ILF since June of this year. I’m 18, from Delhi and about to start college soon. History sort of runs through my veins, i’ve been passionate about it ever since I first had Social Science as a subject at school. As an avid history enthusiast, I immerse myself in the stories of the past, seeking to understand the cultures, traditions, and events that have shaped our world. Heritage is a multifaceted and invaluable aspect of our society, and while efforts are being made to promote and preserve it, there has been a certain amount of cultural appropriation and neglect of certain different heritages. I’d say it’s important to promote a respectful and inclusive approach towards our history, fostering a collective sense to honour and protect our diverse pasts.”
