Muslim Slave System in Medieval India c13.20

c13.20

The main business of the eunuchs was to guard as well as to keep an eye on the activities of the harem ladies. Since they were always present in the seraglio, they also served and helped them in various ways. The eunuchs guarded the secrets of their mistresses. They smuggled drugs and wines for them into the harem. The ladies sometimes even arranged through the eunuchs to invite men into the harem; Manucci avers that eunuchs were helpful in smuggling men into the womens apartment.³⁶ In exchange for such delicate and risky services the eunuchs could get from them whatever they desired, for they could blackmail their client ladies. Naturally some women of the harem even allowed the eunuchs to enjoy them according to his ability.³⁷ They served princes and their beloveds as go-between.³⁸ It is such errands of secrecy that sometimes made the eunuchs powerful, arrogant and even vainglorious.³⁹