Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-06-16
THE WOMEN OF AKpAR,s COURT.
A Glimpse of One of the Most Beauti
full and Extensive of Harems

GIimpse of Ons of the Most Beautf-
full and Extensive of Harems.
From the New York Sun.
The very last place where one would ex-
pect to find domestic peace and equity
would be in a harenl. that dim and dread
full prison house OF eastern womanhood.
Zenana life has been harrowingly described
from every pulpit in Chfistendom. yet the
mystery surrounding its existence stimu-
lates, in the average listener, q desire to
know still more concerning it. A glimpse
of Akbar's harem may be interesting. 1t
was the most extensive, we'll as the best
appointed. in Asia, and, indeed some
authorities place it foremost at all times.
It contained 5000 inmates and the prem
ises were so extensive as to afford sepa-
rate room for each individual. exclusive of
the general apartments, such as baths. bal
COMES. assembly halls and terraces. 1t was
rema rkably beautiful in cons ruction and
workmanship. one of the handsomest plies
in Fatepur-Sikri, that dream of oriental
marnificcnce which Akbar soidifed In
marble.
Ahul-fazl the Persian scholar and coun-
sellor Of Akhar, states that proper employ
ment was assigned to each woman accord
ing to her rank. and as Akbar caused part
of his priceless library to he placed at their
command and these books were obviously
designed for the exclusive use of the harem.
1t follows that the inmates We're familiar
with several languages. fer the books were
written in Persian. Sanscrit, Tamil and
Hindustan
The harem. writes Abul-faz, was divided
into sections called companies. each PEE
sided over by a daroga, or trustworthy
chief, who. in turn, was subservient to
sLperior-alwayS a woman of great moral
excellence and ability. who was not only
ruling head of the harem but a confidant
of the emperor and his "dewans' or minis
tiers. The harem regulations were carried
out with great precision and equity; there
was disorder. no open quarrels or dis
cord. Each inmate had the privilege Of
bringing her grievances before his ma jesty.
who never failed to redress a wrong, no
matter how trivial. and to punish the
wrong -doer. Each of the 5000 women
ceived a regular salary in proportion to
rank. Princesses and daughters of INDECENT
mobiles received from 1,02S to 1,f1O rupees:
tirewomen and serving girls from 2 to 10
rupees and slaves still less. with chances
of advancement conditional on good be-
havior and usefulness. The women drew
their salaries at pleasure. They first made
known their wants to the inferior treas
urer usually eunuch. who made q memoir
andum of the monthly stipend and sent It
to the palace treasurer. who validfied the
bill and sent back the desired amount al
ways struck for the sole purpose of defray-
ing haren expenses and therefore not valid
for other uses. Its value tailed exactly
with the currency of the state. Although
the greater part of their salaries was
usually expended in Jewels and embroidered
stuffs. could, If she chose. set
aside her allowance for future use or in
vestuent: for in addition to the regular
stipend, 1t was Akbar's custom to make
| quarterly presents of entire costumes to all
the members of his noble family. and these
garments were invariably of the finest ma
terial and workmanship procurable, for Ak
bar was extravagantly fond of personal
adjournment IN women.
The harem proper was very strictly
guarded both from without and within by
"Culmic women of reputation" who guarded
the gates of the royal apartments: then by
eInuchs. Immediately outside were Raiput
soldiery, and lastly. mounted troops in
numbers corresponding with the needs of
peace or war.
When the begun. or wife Of a prince. or
any other woman of rank wished to pay her
compliments to the women of the harem,
she had to notify the eunuchs, who sent a
written request to the palace officer. He
issued permit in the name of the emperor
which allowed her the freedom of the
harem for a stimulated length of time. IT
was not unusual for a permit to cover the
period of one month especially in the case
of a princess or wife of a favorite officer.
Some of the favorites, notably the Rajput
princesses-the arfstocracy Of Asia from the
time of Manu- m to the present dav-had
apartments outside the harem proper, but
within the walled Enclosure. where they
lived in true oriental magniffcence and
comparative seciusion. They were priv
| legged to enter the harem at will. and also
to receive the hareu inmates or not. as
they chose and they were also allowed to
ride out always under armed escort.
All women were admitted to the PRAYER
| house at certain hours and to the palace
daily. shortly after sunrise. They were also
permitted to attend musical entertainments
in tho palace. Special days were set apart
for their attendance at fairs, upon which
occasion nler were excluded. The emperor
was finished musician; he composed no
less than two hundred modes. all OF
which the women prided themselves upon
performing accurately. They kent them
selves correctly informed of state a1a1rs:
and many a princess left the seclus1on OF
the harem virtually to rule in her new ca
pacity rs the wife or a rara, so that though
jealousy guarded from sight and social In
tercourse the Indian women welded ire
mcndnus power for good or evil. Akhar
ov ed his early training to saSacious ana
rlCst admirable woman, who presided over
his harem, to whom he confded his hopes
and fears and received in turn the counsel
of wisdom. tempered with ripe experience
1t was Akbar's policy to arrange mar
riaees between women of MoEul families
and Rajput princes of outlying provinces
by which he succeeded in STRENGTHENING the
ruling power of the state. The IA nut men
were model soldiers. fearless. upright. non
OF able; the princesses court beauties,
proud independent high-spirted women,
who made exemplary wives for his nohies.
His maiesty's ideas CT marriage We're CEN
turtles in advance of the times; he dlsap-
proved of marriage before puhertv' con-
siCered the consent Of both bride ana groom
of equal importance with the parents; Tor
babe extortionate marriage portions. ana
strenuously opposed polygamy and marry
Ing of near of kin. Neither would ne per-
nit the pairing of youth with old age. es-
pecialy in the case of young man and OLD
woman Widows We're allowed to remarry,
and Sati-widow burning was aonllsntd.
Although the outward forms OF alilahces
were arranged by court officials. the actual
transaction committed for the APP
prevail of the harem. for 1t is declared that
Akbar never forced an unwilling marriage
but respected the reasonable wishes of all
his subjects alike both men and women.