Sunday,
December 17, 2000
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European
artists devoted their talents to depicting imperial Indian beauties in
their own inimitable style. Among the earliest European observers, who
claim to have gazed at the royal ladies of the Mughal Court, are Sir
Thomas Roe, Bernier and Manucci. Sir Thomas Roe, the English
ambassador at Jahangir’s court, recorded that he snatched a glimpse
of the royal ladies who were equally keen to see him, says Pran
Neville
THERE
was much curiosity about women belonging to aristocratic homes. They
were secluded and kept in the zenanas. The Muslim women
observed strict purdha considered essential as part of a
respectable way of life. Many high caste aristocratic Hindu families
adopted this practice and emulated social customs prevalent in the
Mughal times among Muslim nobility.
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