Women Education and Libraries of Royal Ladies of Mughal Period: A Study

Abstract

In the history of Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS), the education of women has undergone different ups and downs. During ancient times, the education system of women was unique. They enjoyed free education and their role in the society was significant. The women in this period held the positions of Rishis, Sages and even the experts of Vedas. In the medieval period, during the Muhamcdan rule, education of women in general was negleated due to the purdah system, early marriage and many other reasons. In the Mughal Period, the education ofwomen was regarded as less importart compared to men in the middle and upper-class families by both Hindus and Muslims. Though some Mughal emperors established mukhtabs and madrasahs for the education ofthe girls, in the upper and noble class society, the women received higher education, and sometimes they made creditable progress in litcrature, music, poetry, and religious studies. The royal ladies of the Mughal Period were highly educated and accomplished, even though they possessed their personal libraries. Considering the above, the paper will review the pertinent literatue to examine both the opportunities and conshaints faced by the women. Finally, the paper will highlight the nature of women education system and libraries ofthe women in the Mughal Period.