tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5974677.post3173606622415180955..comments2023-10-09T18:12:29.276+07:00Comments on Agelessbonding: History?Herstory?Ushahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00179239922869639391noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5974677.post-31561893047648988622008-08-28T14:19:00.000+07:002008-08-28T14:19:00.000+07:00Hi Usha, read this post over a month back and was ...Hi Usha, read this post over a month back and was totally shocked and awed by the topic as it had never ever crossed my mind. Decided to read feast of roses but first laid my hands on 'Taj: A story of Mughal India' by Timeri Murari. And went thru the post and comments again. And I find that 2 very different perspectives have been provided in both the books. The one by Murari presents Mehrunissa in shades more of black than white because of her shrewd and cunning personality. In spite of that one can't feel the power she had within herself to literally run the Great Mughal empire for 16 years like u mention. Jahangir literally felt that he could relax and pursue his interests of painting and poetry because his wife was doing a swell job.<BR/><BR/>Arjamund on the other hand is portrayed as very loving and extremely brave. Shah Jahan's and her love for each other seems truly genuine. She traveled with him on all his conquests, according to the book, including 4 extremely hard years where they ran from pillar to post from Jahangir who acted on Mehrunnisa's orders of imprisoning them to further Ladili's husband and Jahangir's 3rd son Shahriya to become emperor. The 14 pregnancies does strike one in a very crude way considering she lost health like anything owing to those but apparently she couldn't deny her beloved any happiness. One definitely wonders about Shah Jahan being insensitive though. Also Shah Jahan never married another woman after Arjamund and divorced his first wife (and never established any physiacl relations with her) which was next to impossible for kings and princes because he too loved Arjamund profusely and both of them had to be very very stubborn to eventually get married to overcome mostly Mehrunissa's sly plans. <BR/><BR/>In passing he has mentioned strongly about the politics and jealousies that took place amongst the different wives of one king on whom he chose even for one particular evening and Arjamund was glad that she didn't have to deal with that.<BR/><BR/>I still have to watch jodha Akbar but the other 2 women stood out for their strength of character which was even more exemplary in the times that they lived in.Neerahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02908239217422161292noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5974677.post-83499952273769587292008-07-31T11:15:00.000+07:002008-07-31T11:15:00.000+07:00Usha, where are you???Usha, where are you???Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5974677.post-31577342984612830812008-07-30T11:44:00.000+07:002008-07-30T11:44:00.000+07:00Long time no post! Hope you are doing fine.Long time no post! Hope you are doing fine.WhatsInANamehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07498298103761502178noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5974677.post-79050807209558159042008-07-29T15:17:00.000+07:002008-07-29T15:17:00.000+07:00Interesting post Usha! The likes of which only you...Interesting post Usha! The likes of which only you can come up with :)Collection Of Starshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07468289525061134465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5974677.post-34544624550768718172008-07-29T11:55:00.000+07:002008-07-29T11:55:00.000+07:00Jodha Akbar was a pleasant surprise for me , I nev...Jodha Akbar was a pleasant surprise for me , I never knew that love story. The other tw ofcourse everyone knows but then its so true that they actually ignored their other wives. And second point is that if they loved one female so dearly why did they marry others ?<BR/><BR/>I am also not sure about the authencity of these stories. You get to read/see different versions all the time. Jahgeer and Salim was that one person ??? Salim loved Anarkali , then where did Noorjahan came to picture ? I have even read that Anarkali was buried in the eyes of people , but she was actually escaped thru a tunnel and she later married Salim with a different name :P These tales are like fairy talesSwatihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14263330596396584816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5974677.post-91592923181472466632008-07-28T22:57:00.000+07:002008-07-28T22:57:00.000+07:00Maduraiveeran: Thank you.anilp: Did you? That is i...Maduraiveeran: Thank you.<BR/><BR/>anilp: Did you? That is indeed interesting!<BR/><BR/>Mahadevan: Thank you but all is well. Just a bit busy with Siddhartha's wedding less than a month away.<BR/><BR/>Shefaly: Thank you. I wish I could get hold of it. ya we all heard princess Diana's Version of the Prince Charles story. There must be another side.Ushahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00179239922869639391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5974677.post-24037548550768304582008-07-28T16:14:00.000+07:002008-07-28T16:14:00.000+07:00Usha:Last night, I was watching a re-run of a 2007...Usha:<BR/><BR/>Last night, I was watching a re-run of a 2007 documentary titled 'Queen Camilla'. I am not sure it can be found online anywhere but the crux of the matter is the same as that of your post. She is a supportive, appreciative, intelligent and interesting consort to Prince Charles, who relies on her advice and has done so for over 40 years (which is like a 'yug' in today's terms!), just like the women you write about.<BR/><BR/>Thanks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5974677.post-34986036756930416192008-07-28T16:07:00.000+07:002008-07-28T16:07:00.000+07:00For nearly ten days, Agelessbonding has been silen...For nearly ten days, Agelessbonding has been silent. A little anxious.Mahadevanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08659899620865902690noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5974677.post-69548110431720165082008-07-27T16:32:00.000+07:002008-07-27T16:32:00.000+07:00As I read your post I rewound to my trip to the Jo...As I read your post I rewound to my trip to the Jodhabai palace at Fatehpur Sikri early this year, I spent quite some time imaging the things you talked about.Anil Phttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02422187314611747278noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5974677.post-45488637669585049002008-07-27T09:24:00.000+07:002008-07-27T09:24:00.000+07:00To get the corn out it can be an arduous job. One ...To get the corn out it can be an arduous job. One has to peel the cover patiently and rip it out completely with some force. After a few repeats viola you will have the corn. You just did that, You picked the movie peeled the cover and revealed us something tastily distasteful and I liked it. I am glad whenever I find a great new blog and I am glad today.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5974677.post-34952906567369187892008-07-25T23:14:00.000+07:002008-07-25T23:14:00.000+07:00Manasa:Yes, these women must have been special - t...Manasa:Yes, these women must have been special - that is why I wondered what was special about Mumtaz.<BR/><BR/>Raj: Interesting, very interesting!<BR/><BR/>Mama-mia:oh, I loved EL's take too.<BR/><BR/>gauri: Simple, polyandry was not common at all.Even in Panchali's case there is a huge explanation for her marriage to 5 men. It was not common. Dushashan is supposed to have made fun of her for this during the vastrpaharan.<BR/><BR/>Africanfragments: Sifting through the day's newspapers one struggles to make out the truth from all the different interpretations. If this is the case with yesterday's news, how can we ever know the absolute truth from history. I am sure we got the more acceptable and palatable versions.<BR/><BR/>Akhila:Oh yes, lovely song. In fact all the songs in that film were lovely weren't they?<BR/><BR/>Nita: Not just love stories, there must have been many women who could have become role models to our young women which was lost too...<BR/><BR/>Indianhomemaker: Thanks for the insights. I did not know that bit about the kings not getting their daughters married. Interesting!<BR/><BR/>Diya: I am sure there are already some interesting studies on the women of the Moghul era. <BR/><BR/>Nefariousoutlook: A memorial like the taj for someone infamous! what an irony!<BR/><BR/>Howdoweknow:Yes I am sure they were but have not been covered much in history. Sad, no?<BR/><BR/>Devaki: It was a nice lovestory. Will do the tag sometime soon. Thanks.<BR/><BR/>Art:Please do and thanks. Will hop over to your blog soon. :)Ushahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00179239922869639391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5974677.post-57507475874843205522008-07-25T15:26:00.000+07:002008-07-25T15:26:00.000+07:00Have been reading ur blogs for quite sometime... R...Have been reading ur blogs for quite sometime... Really liked it. I was thinking of blogrolling you. Hope you dont mindArthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00361938268399916452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5974677.post-38766346478953052008-07-25T07:58:00.000+07:002008-07-25T07:58:00.000+07:00I liked the movie, it appealed to the romantic in ...I liked the movie, it appealed to the romantic in me. :)<BR/><BR/>And Ushaji, I hopped over to tell you - you have been tagged!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5974677.post-54458426533113624052008-07-24T19:15:00.000+07:002008-07-24T19:15:00.000+07:00oh wow.. u do add a new perspective to the whole t...oh wow.. u do add a new perspective to the whole thing! These were special women.. perhaps more special than the kings.. bcs the kings were born to the greatness but these women earned it.. fair and square!How do we knowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01763488475931737293noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5974677.post-48648040554792843732008-07-23T16:00:00.000+07:002008-07-23T16:00:00.000+07:00point well made..but i think it is altogether a di...point well made..but i think it is altogether a different generation and hence a different ball game altogether!! also from what i read that mumtaz was quite infamous.Nefariousoutlookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04408098048797625234noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5974677.post-45955731564625470692008-07-22T21:28:00.000+07:002008-07-22T21:28:00.000+07:00Women were not allowed to influence public life. I...Women were not allowed to influence public life. It appears that the sisters of Jahangir and Shah Jahan were also accomplished ladies but had little or no significance in the politics that is recounted in historical accounts. The first 'histories' of the Mughal era as we know it was written by predominantly Englishmen who focused on their barbaric acts, which need not be believed. <BR/>Historians should study the Mughal women with an unbiased mind now, surely they must have left some evidence of themselves somewhere. The historian's obsession with state policy has done us in for there is a lot of social history that lies buried in the past.diyahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07467285543383068855noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5974677.post-66541375033610375992008-07-21T23:02:00.000+07:002008-07-21T23:02:00.000+07:00Those were terrible days and these women needed al...Those were terrible days and these women needed all their manipulative skills to survive in those harems, where they were brought without much choice or rights. A queen in favour could go out of favour the moment the Emperor found a new love interest, which did happen often, so these women had to have something to have held that interest for so long. In Noor Jehan's case, Jehangir had got her first husband killed so she would marry him! And Ladli (what a lovely name for a loved daughter!) was her daughter from the fist husband, it was not unnatural for her to want her daughter to be the next queen.<BR/>She was powerful, cherished and loved but I wonder if she loved Jehangir back??? <BR/>Mumtaj Mahal did travel wit Shah Jehan, I think they really cared for each other.Her dauhgters were the ones who cared for Shah Jehan in his old age, wheh he was imprisoned by Aurangzeb. Do you know the Mughal kings did not get their daughters married because they did not want their heads bowing to anyone, which a girl's father had to do. Aurengzeb was the only one who did that.Indian Home Makerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10649133480442907582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5974677.post-57738317065632798632008-07-21T22:45:00.000+07:002008-07-21T22:45:00.000+07:00Usha, you have raised questions which I have ponde...Usha, you have raised questions which I have pondered on...what made these men different? In fact I have started to wonder whether they were really different...I mean I am sure that in those days it wasn't quite approved of if you were influenced by a woman or considered her your equal partner so it is possible that the other men hid it! I am sure that we have been denied many a love story because they were kept secret! <BR/>I personally believe that neither men nor women can surivive without each other. In fact in those days the men must have depended on their women quite a lot as no one could be trusted. There was danger everywhere, specially for kings...whom can they consider their best friend? A woman ofcourse!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5974677.post-29732079979809336172008-07-21T21:06:00.000+07:002008-07-21T21:06:00.000+07:00Thoughtful post. I never beleived that Taj was bui...Thoughtful post. I never beleived that Taj was built only for love. I agree with you. Cruelty & love cannot reside in the same heart. <BR/><BR/>The women must have been really extraordinary to find such a place in history, when women were traded (read married) for kingdom & alliances.<BR/><BR/>Reminds me of the song in 'Karnan' - " Maharajan ulagai aalalam. Endha Maharani avanai aaluval"Akhilahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04957264844880135505noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5974677.post-31580556689112190142008-07-21T19:34:00.000+07:002008-07-21T19:34:00.000+07:00i enjoyed joda akbar as a movie, history though is...i enjoyed joda akbar as a movie, history though is relative, relative to the person doing the telling. the truth is possibly in between, different versions of the same episode.africanfragmentshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00493654265715063496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5974677.post-46853107743700117752008-07-21T15:30:00.000+07:002008-07-21T15:30:00.000+07:00slightly digressing, but always wondered why histo...slightly digressing, but always wondered why history is full (and accepting) of polygamous men with no trace of polyandrous women-- except Draupadi... well read people, pl. enlighten.<BR/><BR/>The Taj as 'monument of love' is over-hyped.. love doesn't call for monumental proofs coming to think of it, really...Gauri Gharpurehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09887888023298949657noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5974677.post-61986300701955578142008-07-21T15:28:00.000+07:002008-07-21T15:28:00.000+07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Gauri Gharpurehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09887888023298949657noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5974677.post-32708077286942467202008-07-21T13:53:00.000+07:002008-07-21T13:53:00.000+07:00i never really thought about all these things and ...i never really thought about all these things and obviously your question stumps me totally! :p<BR/><BR/>but they must have had something more than all other wives put together. perhaps just a streak of independence and intelligence that other women refused to show believing that being submissive was the way to a man's heart?!<BR/><BR/>though i would tend to agree with EL's version! had quite a laugh reading that! and wondered yet again, how little we know! sigh!<BR/><BR/>cheers!<BR/><BR/>abhaMama - Miahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06330103540647472728noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5974677.post-23362234715055181302008-07-21T07:46:00.000+07:002008-07-21T07:46:00.000+07:00I believe it is all in genetics and stars.http://w...I believe it is all in genetics and stars.<BR/>http://www.decisioncare.orgAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5974677.post-59464446144855646502008-07-20T23:20:00.000+07:002008-07-20T23:20:00.000+07:00May be, their importance in his life wasn't as muc...May be, their importance in his life wasn't as much compared to the one special wife. Or it can be that-the history portrayed much significance of one special wife. IMHO.<BR/><BR/>Even in our life, we have so many friends. But we rely on one friend for their advices or help and thus makes them special.Manahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00973557391298886936noreply@blogger.com