History rarely shines a light on the formidable Mughal begums who boldly navigated the imperial courts, brokered powerful deals, reshaped Delhi’s skyline, created private spaces for women, fought battles and resisted patriarchy — all from their place behind the purdah.
In Badass Begums, Anoushka Jain introduces you to 10 such Mughal-era women whose lives rippled with ambition, romance, intrigue and fierce resilience.
Jahanara Begum, Shah Jahan’s favourite daughter who designed Chandni Chowk and her sister, the firebrand Roshanara Begum, who schemed with Aurangzeb to take over her father’s empire; the invincible Begum Samru, a tawaif-turned-ruler, who led her own army into battles; Maham Anga and Mubarak Begum, whose counsel rivalled that of chief ministers, and the resolute Qudsia Begum who built riverfront gardens only to see them battered by rebellions — these and other stories come alive in a riveting narrative and walking tour maps of the places they lived in or curated.
Based on rigorous research and written with warmth, Badass Begums is an eye-opening journey through the breathtaking legacies still hidden in the by-lanes of Delhi. Anoushka Jain is a historian, author and founder of Enroute Indian History, a women-led initiative that brings the past alive through heritage walks, storytelling and research.