the mughal imperial household held vivid dimensions of their domestic life. explain
Answers
It has the same meaning as the Turkish word seraglio and Persian word zenana. It is also similar to the Sanskrit word anthapura, meaning ‘the inner apartment’ of the household.The Harem being a forbidden place was constant topic of speculation and curiosity. It was a vibrant and a big physical space where women were arranged in regard to their proximity to the Emperor. Most women usually entered the Harem through marriage, birth, appointments or as gifts.[1] It came to mean the sphere of women in what was usually a polygynous household and their segregated quarters which were forbidden to men. Harems were composed of wives, female relatives, concubines, and male infants.[citation needed] The women were governed through strict rules of Purdah, and they could not move out of the harem as they liked, but many women travelled for affairs of pilgrimage to local shrines, hunting and sightseeing with the Emperor. They always moved out in beautifully decorated palanquins or on the back of the elephants. Inside the Harem they led a luxurious and a comfortable life. The Harem had gardens, fountains and water channels attached to it. There were various departments within the Mughal Harem that fulfilled the basic needs of its inmates, The food was provided from the Royal Kitchen known as Maktabh and the Akbar Khanah provided drinking water and wine. The Ritab Khanah was in charge of supplying bread and the Maywa Khanah provided fruits to the household. Things of personal use of the women such as Beautiful dresses, jewellery, fancy articles and other household items were provided by the Imperial Karkhanah