Life and Conditions of the People of Hindustan (1200–1550 A.D.) c5.s2.t1.23

c5.s2.t1.23

As regards the organization of the royal *haram*: the reigning Sultan was the head of the whole royal family in an intimate and personal sense. All the members of the royal family, including his queens, were subject to his commands.² The inmates of the *haram* and all members of the royal family submitted regular petitions, whenever they wanted to approach the monarch on business, and carried out his orders faithfully. The inmates of the royal *haram* were assigned enclosed and well-guarded lodgings inside the palace. Suitable care was taken that the requirements of the *pardah* were scrupulously carried out. Their care and attendance was assigned to a class of confidential maids and eunuchs, together with hundreds of male and female servants and slaves for domestic service.³ The royal *haram* was supervised from within by a regular *hakima* or governess born of a noble family, and from without by a *Khvaja-Sarai* (the chief eunuch) whose office was considered as one of great trust and responsibility.⁴ The *haram* of the Mughal emperor Akbar had a regular staff of female inspectors and guards with a female store-keeper (called *Ashraf*) who took charge of supplies and accounts. She annually submitted the audited account of the expenses incurred during the year and an estimate of expenditure for the next. At night, female guards took charge of the building and of the security of the inmates from within; the *Khvaja-Sarai* stationed himself with his staff at the entrance, and the faithful Rajput guard patrolled the building.¹ In the kingdom of Malwa the *haram* developed into a miniature government with regular armies, arts and tradeswomen and a great bazar; the King, the only male, decided disputes, and fixed salaries.²