Gulbadan Begum: a woman of the Mughal Household

Ishita

Gulbadan Begum: a woman of the Mughal Household

Gulbadan Begum- the woman of the Mughal Household, is one of the very few women that we know or have read about. She was one of the earliest and most influential women, also the first to have her own memoir!

Gulbadan Begum (WikiMedia Commons)

Born in the Mughal Household to the first emperor of the Mughal Dynasty- Babur, Gulbadan Begum was one of the three daughters. Named after Gul (rose), Gulbadan Begum had a comfortable life; however, her father passed away at the age of eight. It was only until Akbar’s reign that she had produced a biography on her brother Humayun, titled Ahval-i-Humayun Badshah.

Unique Memoir

Gulbadan Begum’s memoir is often considered a unique one as it is the only memoir of that time written by a woman of the Mughal Household. Furthermore, as Prof. Ruby Lal mentions, the title in itself was a unique one. Most memoirs were titled Tarikh or had the suffix Nama after the ruler’s name. However, the title Ahval is unique, as it does not mean the traditional chronological event of a particular ruler. Instead, the term means conditions, state, and situation of something, and in this case, it was the conditions, state, and situations of the Mughal Household described in the memoir.

Unveiling of the Mughal Household

Gulbadan Begum’s work, now housed in the British Library, London, often revealed details not discussed by the male court writers. The memoir is divided into two parts, the former discussing Babur, while the latter discussing Humayun, giving insights into the events that could not be found elsewhere.

For instance, the marriage history of Humayun and Hamida is discussed in length. Court records do not tell us much about Hamida because women were not considered eminent people to write about. However, through Gulbadan Begum’s work, we get to know of the initial refusal by Hamida to the marriage proposal. We also know that Hamida is the daughter of Humayun’s younger half-brother, Hindal’s tutor. The writings also reveal that Hindal had killed Humayun’s favourite advisor.

Gulbadan Begum as the Head

Through her writing, we also learn about the important role that Gulbadan Begum played in the Harem. As women were primarily kept in purdah, Gulbadan Begum’s leading role in Hajj starks a contrast to what we have read about the household so far.

At the age of 52, she had led her sisters-in-law, nieces-in-law, grand daughters, and herself to Mecca. Her memoir talks about her struggles whilst visiting Mecca. For the cartaz (official permission from the Portuguese, who controlled the ports and ships), they had to wait for a year at Surat. The cartaz was only given after the city of Buxar was given to the Portuguese.

On 17 October 1576, they left in the royal vessel Salimi and Ilahi for Hajj. At Hajj, Gulbadan Begum offered her prayers and distributed royal gifts to the public. They remained there for four years and visited other holy cities.

The struggles, however, did not stop; on their way back home, the ship was wrecked, and they were stuck in the Middle East for months. The duration was so long that they finally made it back to Hindustan after seven years!

Gulbadan Begum’s welcome was celebrated with a great feast. Her holy visit to the Hajj was also appreciated. However, she met with many changes around the household. The Harem, once designed in the Charbagh, was now converted into a more restrictive space.

Gulbadan Begum on her Death Bed

Gulbadan Begum lived for 80 years. On her death bed, her dear friend Hamida Banu cried, “Begum Jio!” (Live, Begum!), to which she had replied, “I am dying; may you live long.” The Mughal Household mourned her death. Inconsolable Akbar had shaved his head and carried her bier in her honor.

So many years have passed, Gulbadan Begum yet remains an important figure of the Mughal Household, a woman who told stories that no one else could!