THE LITERARY CONTRIBUTIONS OF GULBADAN BEGUM: A MUGHAL COURT LADY’S INFLUENCE ON PERSIAN LITERATURE AND HISTORY
Tuhina Islam , Research Scholar, Department of History, Aligarh University, IndiaAbstract
Gulbadan Begum, a prominent figure in the Mughal court, is often recognized for her significant yet underappreciated contributions to Persian literature and historical documentation. As the daughter of Emperor Babur and sister of Emperor Humayun, her unique position afforded her access to the intricacies of the Mughal court, allowing her to observe and participate in the rich cultural milieu of her time. This paper explores Gulbadan Begum’s literary works, particularly her memoir, Humayun Nama, which provides a rare female perspective on Mughal history and politics. Through her writings, Gulbadan offers insights into the lives of women in the royal household, the dynamics of power, and the cultural practices of the Mughal Empire. By analyzing her contributions, this study aims to highlight the importance of female voices in historical narratives and the impact of Gulbadan Begum on the preservation and understanding of Mughal heritage. Her works not only enrich Persian literature but also serve as crucial historical documents that challenge traditional narratives of gender and authority in the Mughal period.
Keywords
Gulbadan Begum, Mughal court, literary contributions
References
Ahmad ,Tasneem, Encyclopaedia Dictionary of Medieval India (Mirat-ul-Istilah),Sundeep Prakashan,New Delhi,1993.
Ali,Mahmud ,Mughal Shahzadian,New Delhi,2000
Abdur Rahman, Syed Sabahuddin, Bazm –i-Taimuriya,Azamgarh,1984.
Aurangzeb, Ruqqaāt-i-Alamgiri’ Eng. trans. Jamshid. H Bilimoria, New Delhi,1972.
Gulbadan Begum,Humayun-Nama,Eng.trans.A.S.Beveridge,New Delhi,1902.2. See also,Thomas William Beale, An Oriental Biographical Dictionary,New Delhi,1971,146. Kabir kausar and Innamul kabir,Biographical Dictionary of Prominent Muslim Ladies,New Delhi,1982.105.
Ruby Lal, Domesticity and power in the early Mughal World,New York,2005.57.
Zinat Kausar,Muslim Women in Medieval India,New Delhi,1992,150-151.
Nawab Ali Hasan Khan Bin Siddique,Subh-i-Gulshan,ed.Abdul Khan Majid, Bhopal. Shahjahani,1295A.H,348.
Mahmud Ali, Mughal Shahzadian,New Delhi,2000.36-50.
Maulana Shibli Nomani,Maqalat-i-Shibli,Azamgarh,1934,58.
11. Jahangir,Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri or Memoirs of Jahangir,Eng.trans.Alexander Roger.ed H.Beveridge,Vol-2, New Delhi,1909-1914,Persian text,Syed Ahmad Ghazipur and Aligarh,1863-64.
Kausar,Kabir and kabir, Innamul ,Biographical Dictionary of Prominent Muslim Ladies ,New Delhi,1982
Nomani ,Maulana Shibli,Maqalat-i-Shibli,Azamgarh,1934.
Prasad, Ishwari,Life and times of Humayun’,Calcutta,1995.
Article Statistics
Downloads
Copyright License
Copyright (c) 2024 Tuhina Islam
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.