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Women In History

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Welcome to Women in History by Suranya, a series where I retell the lives of some of the most powerful and fascinating women from ancient and medieval times, both in India and around the world. Here, I bring to life the stories of remarkable figures like Roxanne, the Bactrian princess and wife of Alexander the Great, whose marriage was as much a political alliance as a love story; Saibai, the beloved wife of Shivaji; Devi, the devoted consort of Emperor Ashoka; and Nur Jahan, the influential Mughal empress known for her sharp intellect and power. I also delve into the reign of Raziya Sultan, the rare female ruler of Delhi, and the poetic brilliance of Zeb-un-Nisa. The courage of freedom fighter Matangini Hazra, the royal grace of Jahanara Begum, and the debated history of Jodha Bai, with a fact check on her true identity, Roopmati and the love saga of Mandu are all part of this journey. Finally, there’s Mahadevi Prabhavati, daughter of Chandragupta from the Gupta dynasty, whose story adds to the rich tapestry of women who shaped history. Through their glory and downfalls, love and life, I share these tales in my own voice, blending history with folklore narrative to honour their enduring legacies.

 The Emperor's First Wife




Folklores:





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Rakhi Tales

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The Emperor's First Wife

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  Ruqaiya Sultana Begum  was born to Babur's second surviving son, Hindal Mirza, and his wife, Sultanam Begum, in 1542 C.E., merely a few months after Hamida Banu gave birth to the heir Jalaluddin Mohammad Akbar. She was well-versed in Persian, Urdu and Arabic and was attracted to poetry and music. Being a proud descendant of the Timurid clan, most of Rukaiya's childhood was spent in Kabul, near the Bagh E Babur, built by Babur himself. From early childhood, she had seen the struggle of her family to regain their lost power in Hind. In 1551 C.E., just after her father died young at a battle for Humayun, leaving her and her mother in the harem of the emperor, it was Hamida Banu who wanted the marriage of Rukaiya to her first cousin, Akbar. Theirs was the first in-house marriage of the Mughals, soon to be followed by many more in the generations to come. At the mere age of nine, she had married the crown prince, and when Humayun won back Lahore, she was fifteen. At the mere age ...
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A Chivalrous Emnity

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