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Badass Begums
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 ten 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.
In Badass Begums, Anoushka Jain introduces you to ten 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.
226 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 12, 2025
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January 24, 2026
There are history books that inform, and then there are history books that correct. Badass Begums, written by Anoushka Jain, belongs firmly to the last category. It does not merely add women to an already crowded historical narrative; it actively questions why they were excluded in the first place.
This is not a book that romanticises the Mughal era, nor does it flatten these women into convenient feminist icons. Instead, it does something far more difficult and far more honest, it restores complexity. Power here is not clean. Agency is not uncomplicated. Resistance does not always look heroic. And that is precisely why Badass Begums feels so alive.
For centuries, Mughal women have existed in history textbooks as footnotes, mothers of emperors, wives in harems, sisters behind veils. The author dismantles this framework decisively. Her central argument is not shouted but steadily demonstrated, purdah was not synonymous with powerlessness. These women negotiated, commissioned, influenced, plotted, governed, and at times, ruled outright.
Figures such as Jahanara Begum, architect of Chandni Chowk, emerge not as benevolent patrons but as urban visionaries shaping Delhi’s social and commercial life. Roshanara Begum is not sanitised into a misunderstood rebel; she is shown as politically astute, ruthless when needed, and fully conscious of the stakes of imperial succession. Begum Samru defies every neat category, courtesan, military leader, ruler, forcing the reader to confront how deeply class, morality, and gender bias shape historical memory.
One of the book’s most compelling thematic interventions is its treatment of architecture as a historical language. She repeatedly returns to the idea that when women were denied chroniclers, they built instead. Gardens, sarais, marketplaces, mosques, riverfronts, these were not acts of leisure but assertions of presence.
The chapter on Qudsia Begum is especially poignant. Her riverfront gardens, battered by rebellion and neglect, become metaphors for women’s legacies themselves, grand, vulnerable, and repeatedly eroded by political upheaval. She does not mourn this loss sentimentally; she interrogates it. Who decides what is preserved? Whose monuments are allowed to decay?
A major strength of this book lies in its tonal balance. The author resists both academic stiffness and populist simplification. Her prose is accessible without being casual, warm without being indulgent. Court politics, inheritance laws, religious tensions, and colonial entanglements are explained clearly, but never spoon-fed.
✍️ Strengths :
🔸The book does not merely add women to history; it reframes historical power structures.
🔸Using monuments as historical evidence is both innovative and deeply effective.
🔸The women are neither glorified nor diminished.
🔸Rigorous research presented without academic intimidation.
🔸Walking maps and visual elements make history tactile and immediate.
✒️ Areas for Improvement :
▪️Some figures feel more richly explored than others, leaving the reader wanting greater balance.
▪️A more explicit dialogue with traditional Mughal historians could have strengthened the argumentative backbone.
In conclusion, it does not claim to recover forgotten women. These women were never forgotten, they were deliberately sidelined. The author's achievement lies in refusing both nostalgia and outrage. Instead, she offers something far more powerful: recognition. This book does not shout. It stands its ground. It reminds us that women have always shaped history, not from its margins, but from within its very machinery. Their stories do not ask for permission to be remembered. They simply insist on being seen.
This is not a book that romanticises the Mughal era, nor does it flatten these women into convenient feminist icons. Instead, it does something far more difficult and far more honest, it restores complexity. Power here is not clean. Agency is not uncomplicated. Resistance does not always look heroic. And that is precisely why Badass Begums feels so alive.
For centuries, Mughal women have existed in history textbooks as footnotes, mothers of emperors, wives in harems, sisters behind veils. The author dismantles this framework decisively. Her central argument is not shouted but steadily demonstrated, purdah was not synonymous with powerlessness. These women negotiated, commissioned, influenced, plotted, governed, and at times, ruled outright.
Figures such as Jahanara Begum, architect of Chandni Chowk, emerge not as benevolent patrons but as urban visionaries shaping Delhi’s social and commercial life. Roshanara Begum is not sanitised into a misunderstood rebel; she is shown as politically astute, ruthless when needed, and fully conscious of the stakes of imperial succession. Begum Samru defies every neat category, courtesan, military leader, ruler, forcing the reader to confront how deeply class, morality, and gender bias shape historical memory.
One of the book’s most compelling thematic interventions is its treatment of architecture as a historical language. She repeatedly returns to the idea that when women were denied chroniclers, they built instead. Gardens, sarais, marketplaces, mosques, riverfronts, these were not acts of leisure but assertions of presence.
The chapter on Qudsia Begum is especially poignant. Her riverfront gardens, battered by rebellion and neglect, become metaphors for women’s legacies themselves, grand, vulnerable, and repeatedly eroded by political upheaval. She does not mourn this loss sentimentally; she interrogates it. Who decides what is preserved? Whose monuments are allowed to decay?
A major strength of this book lies in its tonal balance. The author resists both academic stiffness and populist simplification. Her prose is accessible without being casual, warm without being indulgent. Court politics, inheritance laws, religious tensions, and colonial entanglements are explained clearly, but never spoon-fed.
✍️ Strengths :
🔸The book does not merely add women to history; it reframes historical power structures.
🔸Using monuments as historical evidence is both innovative and deeply effective.
🔸The women are neither glorified nor diminished.
🔸Rigorous research presented without academic intimidation.
🔸Walking maps and visual elements make history tactile and immediate.
✒️ Areas for Improvement :
▪️Some figures feel more richly explored than others, leaving the reader wanting greater balance.
▪️A more explicit dialogue with traditional Mughal historians could have strengthened the argumentative backbone.
In conclusion, it does not claim to recover forgotten women. These women were never forgotten, they were deliberately sidelined. The author's achievement lies in refusing both nostalgia and outrage. Instead, she offers something far more powerful: recognition. This book does not shout. It stands its ground. It reminds us that women have always shaped history, not from its margins, but from within its very machinery. Their stories do not ask for permission to be remembered. They simply insist on being seen.
February 20, 2026
𝐁𝐀𝐃𝐀𝐒𝐒 𝐁𝐄𝐆𝐔𝐌𝐒: 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐁𝐋𝐄 𝐖𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐍 𝐖𝐇𝐎 𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐄𝐃 𝐌𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐀𝐋 𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐈𝐀
𝐀𝐍𝐎𝐔𝐒𝐇𝐊𝐀 𝐉𝐀𝐈𝐍
♥︎ I think it is just a trailer which is considered a director's cut! The author Anoushka Jain writes a 257 pages masterpiece that reclaim India's war history to encounter its path towards women.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐚 𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐲. 𝐀 𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐰 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐟𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐮𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐲𝐨𝐮'𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐚 𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞.
♥︎ If you are thinking about a romantic Mughal era, then it is far beyond that. It speaks to you through reality. For centuries, mainstream history has treated the Mughal women as “𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥” - those beautiful faces, peaceful tones in miniature yet tragic figures. The author comes to the spotlight and flips the table for us!
♥︎ She argues that the Zenana wasn't a prison; it was a political powerhouse! This book is her manifesto proving that these women weren't just “𝐰𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟” or “𝐝𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟” - They were like CEOs or urban planners or military commanders and what not! Imagine being so wealthy that you own merchant ships and so influential that you design the commercial heart of the capital! The author put all the slides that show how Jahanara didn't just “live” in Delhi; she built it! Specifically she designs the moon-lit pools and boulevards of Chandni Chowk.
♥︎ Can a villain of someone's story be a villain for everyone? Often cast as the “𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢-𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐞” compared to her sister Jahanara, the author gives Roshanara a nuanced, gritty spotlight. She was the one with the spy network! She is the one who navigated the bloody war of succession to put Aurangzeb on the throne. She was definitely the Mughal version of a Chief Intelligent.
𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐲: 𝐀𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐳𝐞𝐛, 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐢𝐦, 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐦𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬, 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐮𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝. 𝐑𝐨𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐚, 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝 - 𝐮𝐧𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧, 𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞, 𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐡 𝐛𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 - 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐧𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭.
♥︎ What draws me back to the most in their stories are the TAWAIFs - these ended up commanding a disciplined army of European mercenaries. She transitioned from the Mughal court to the colonial era with the tactical brilliance of a grandmaster. Because Jain is a professional historian who leads actual walks through Old Delhi, her writing is cinematic.
♥︎ It felt that she rewrited the history through the lens of the women's empire! She is not just reminding you of unseen women but also shares the scent of the incense, the weight of the brocade and the echo of the stone corridors. It feels like a high-definition documentary in paper form.
♥︎ The book brilliantly explains how these women exercised power while physically restricted by purdah - they did not need to stand on a balcony to rule but they used endowments or Waqfs, trade and education. Building mosques and inns to gain public loyalty, controlling the lucrative spice and textile routes and patronising poets and scholars to shape the cultural brand of the empire, this is funky yet politically charged.
♥︎ 𝐁𝐀𝐃𝐀𝐒𝐒 𝐁𝐄𝐆𝐔𝐌𝐒' design and tone are unapologetically modern. She uses accessible language that bridges the gap between a Gen z aesthetics and a serious scholarly archive. It is fast shaped, colourful and sharp but totally understandable.
♥︎ This book is an example to create “his-story” to be “her-story”. The “hidden figures” of India's past history are finally blooming! It is not just a book but it is a vibe - a lesson not to forget about your own past. A long overdue understanding ovation for the women who built the monuments we still stand in awe of today!
𝐀𝐍𝐎𝐔𝐒𝐇𝐊𝐀 𝐉𝐀𝐈𝐍
♥︎ I think it is just a trailer which is considered a director's cut! The author Anoushka Jain writes a 257 pages masterpiece that reclaim India's war history to encounter its path towards women.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐚 𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐲. 𝐀 𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐰 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐟𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐮𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐲𝐨𝐮'𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐚 𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞.
♥︎ If you are thinking about a romantic Mughal era, then it is far beyond that. It speaks to you through reality. For centuries, mainstream history has treated the Mughal women as “𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥” - those beautiful faces, peaceful tones in miniature yet tragic figures. The author comes to the spotlight and flips the table for us!
♥︎ She argues that the Zenana wasn't a prison; it was a political powerhouse! This book is her manifesto proving that these women weren't just “𝐰𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟” or “𝐝𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟” - They were like CEOs or urban planners or military commanders and what not! Imagine being so wealthy that you own merchant ships and so influential that you design the commercial heart of the capital! The author put all the slides that show how Jahanara didn't just “live” in Delhi; she built it! Specifically she designs the moon-lit pools and boulevards of Chandni Chowk.
♥︎ Can a villain of someone's story be a villain for everyone? Often cast as the “𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢-𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐞” compared to her sister Jahanara, the author gives Roshanara a nuanced, gritty spotlight. She was the one with the spy network! She is the one who navigated the bloody war of succession to put Aurangzeb on the throne. She was definitely the Mughal version of a Chief Intelligent.
𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐲: 𝐀𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐳𝐞𝐛, 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐢𝐦, 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐦𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬, 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐮𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝. 𝐑𝐨𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐚, 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝 - 𝐮𝐧𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧, 𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞, 𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐡 𝐛𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 - 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐧𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭.
♥︎ What draws me back to the most in their stories are the TAWAIFs - these ended up commanding a disciplined army of European mercenaries. She transitioned from the Mughal court to the colonial era with the tactical brilliance of a grandmaster. Because Jain is a professional historian who leads actual walks through Old Delhi, her writing is cinematic.
♥︎ It felt that she rewrited the history through the lens of the women's empire! She is not just reminding you of unseen women but also shares the scent of the incense, the weight of the brocade and the echo of the stone corridors. It feels like a high-definition documentary in paper form.
♥︎ The book brilliantly explains how these women exercised power while physically restricted by purdah - they did not need to stand on a balcony to rule but they used endowments or Waqfs, trade and education. Building mosques and inns to gain public loyalty, controlling the lucrative spice and textile routes and patronising poets and scholars to shape the cultural brand of the empire, this is funky yet politically charged.
♥︎ 𝐁𝐀𝐃𝐀𝐒𝐒 𝐁𝐄𝐆𝐔𝐌𝐒' design and tone are unapologetically modern. She uses accessible language that bridges the gap between a Gen z aesthetics and a serious scholarly archive. It is fast shaped, colourful and sharp but totally understandable.
♥︎ This book is an example to create “his-story” to be “her-story”. The “hidden figures” of India's past history are finally blooming! It is not just a book but it is a vibe - a lesson not to forget about your own past. A long overdue understanding ovation for the women who built the monuments we still stand in awe of today!
March 27, 2026
rating - 4.25⭐️
review - I was instantly taken back to my school days, classes 6 to 10, when history meant memorising endless names from the Mughal Empire. From Babur and Humayun to Akbar, Shah Jahan, and Aurangzeb. It’s one of the few dynasties that has stayed with me over the years.
But if you asked me about the women from that era, I could barely name a few, maybe Nur Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal. That’s it.
Reading Badass Begums by Anoushka Jain made me realise just how little light we’ve shed on the women in our history, and how much of their contributions have quietly faded away.
These women mentioned in the 10 chapters of this book weren’t just part of the background. They influenced political decisions, advised in court, commissioned mosques, serais, zenanas, and hammams in the capital, and even undertook journeys like the Hajj in a time when I didn’t even realise such travel was possible for women. Some had power, some had privilege, and some had both, but what stood out was how each of them carved a space for themselves despite the limitations around them.
Of course, not all of them were selfless, and I think that’s what makes their stories even more real. Because if they hadn’t stood up for themselves in their own ways, I don’t think women would have come as far as we have today. It’s not perfect even now, but knowing that women have been pushing boundaries since as early as the 15th century really puts things into perspective.
At the same time, some aspects were frustrating to read. Kings could have multiple wives without question, but women were judged harshly for far less. Many royal women remained unmarried to prevent power from shifting outside the family. And something that really struck me, during Babur’s time, women could be named publicly, but later their identities were reduced to titles derived from places of birth or associations.
What also stayed with me was how history often gets credit wrong. For example, who built Humayun’s Tomb? It was actually commissioned by Bega Begum, one of Humayun’s wives, but not alot of people know that many believe that it was Akbar. Stories like these make you question how much of history we’ve only heard from one side.
I haven’t even been to Delhi, but the maps, details, and photographs in the book made it feel like I was walking through these places myself.
I genuinely appreciate the effort the author has put into bringing together stories that are so often missing or forgotten. It’s not easy to reconstruct voices that history chose not to preserve.
If you ask me, books like this should be part of our educational syllabus.
Out of all the incredible women featured, I found myself especially drawn to Aurangzeb’s daughter, particularly Zinat-un-Nissa. There was something about the way they handled their lives and responsibilities that really stayed with me.
This book doesn’t just tell you about the past,it quietly makes you rethink everything you thought you knew about it.
review - I was instantly taken back to my school days, classes 6 to 10, when history meant memorising endless names from the Mughal Empire. From Babur and Humayun to Akbar, Shah Jahan, and Aurangzeb. It’s one of the few dynasties that has stayed with me over the years.
But if you asked me about the women from that era, I could barely name a few, maybe Nur Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal. That’s it.
Reading Badass Begums by Anoushka Jain made me realise just how little light we’ve shed on the women in our history, and how much of their contributions have quietly faded away.
These women mentioned in the 10 chapters of this book weren’t just part of the background. They influenced political decisions, advised in court, commissioned mosques, serais, zenanas, and hammams in the capital, and even undertook journeys like the Hajj in a time when I didn’t even realise such travel was possible for women. Some had power, some had privilege, and some had both, but what stood out was how each of them carved a space for themselves despite the limitations around them.
Of course, not all of them were selfless, and I think that’s what makes their stories even more real. Because if they hadn’t stood up for themselves in their own ways, I don’t think women would have come as far as we have today. It’s not perfect even now, but knowing that women have been pushing boundaries since as early as the 15th century really puts things into perspective.
At the same time, some aspects were frustrating to read. Kings could have multiple wives without question, but women were judged harshly for far less. Many royal women remained unmarried to prevent power from shifting outside the family. And something that really struck me, during Babur’s time, women could be named publicly, but later their identities were reduced to titles derived from places of birth or associations.
What also stayed with me was how history often gets credit wrong. For example, who built Humayun’s Tomb? It was actually commissioned by Bega Begum, one of Humayun’s wives, but not alot of people know that many believe that it was Akbar. Stories like these make you question how much of history we’ve only heard from one side.
I haven’t even been to Delhi, but the maps, details, and photographs in the book made it feel like I was walking through these places myself.
I genuinely appreciate the effort the author has put into bringing together stories that are so often missing or forgotten. It’s not easy to reconstruct voices that history chose not to preserve.
If you ask me, books like this should be part of our educational syllabus.
Out of all the incredible women featured, I found myself especially drawn to Aurangzeb’s daughter, particularly Zinat-un-Nissa. There was something about the way they handled their lives and responsibilities that really stayed with me.
This book doesn’t just tell you about the past,it quietly makes you rethink everything you thought you knew about it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 10, 2026
History books often celebrate emperors and conquerors. Yet the Mughal world was also shaped by extraordinary women whose influence flowed powerfully through imperial courts and city streets. The author Anoushka Jain shifts the spotlight toward these remarkable figures who navigated power, politics, and patriarchy from behind the veil. The book presents a vivid account of ten Mughal-era women that left lasting marks on the cultural and political landscape of India.
The narrative introduces readers to women whose stories carry drama, strategy, and courage. The beloved daughter of Shah Jahan, Jahanara Begum emerges as a visionary patron who shaped the design of one of Delhi’s most iconic spaces, Chandni Chowk. Her sister Roshanara Begum appears as a shrewd political strategist who allied with Aurangzeb during the intense struggle for the Mughal throne.
The book also highlights fascinating figures beyond the imperial household. Other featured ladies are Begum Samru, who once a tawaif, rose to become a formidable ruler, Maham Anga, an influential advisor during the early years of Akbar, and Qudsia Begum, known for building elegant gardens along Delhi’s riverfront.
Suddenly the by-lanes of Delhi feel like living archives. This book is a brilliant take on Indian Mughal history. I never knew most of the things mentioned in the book, so I can guarantee it is an entire history lesson way too different and interesting than the school syllabus.
The research behind Badass Begums is clearly thorough. This book ultimately feels like a rediscovery. It reminds us that behind the grand Mughal monuments and imperial chronicles were women who shaped cities, guided rulers, and carved their own legacies into history. Their voices may have been muted for centuries, but they speak powerfully through this book.
The narrative introduces readers to women whose stories carry drama, strategy, and courage. The beloved daughter of Shah Jahan, Jahanara Begum emerges as a visionary patron who shaped the design of one of Delhi’s most iconic spaces, Chandni Chowk. Her sister Roshanara Begum appears as a shrewd political strategist who allied with Aurangzeb during the intense struggle for the Mughal throne.
The book also highlights fascinating figures beyond the imperial household. Other featured ladies are Begum Samru, who once a tawaif, rose to become a formidable ruler, Maham Anga, an influential advisor during the early years of Akbar, and Qudsia Begum, known for building elegant gardens along Delhi’s riverfront.
Suddenly the by-lanes of Delhi feel like living archives. This book is a brilliant take on Indian Mughal history. I never knew most of the things mentioned in the book, so I can guarantee it is an entire history lesson way too different and interesting than the school syllabus.
The research behind Badass Begums is clearly thorough. This book ultimately feels like a rediscovery. It reminds us that behind the grand Mughal monuments and imperial chronicles were women who shaped cities, guided rulers, and carved their own legacies into history. Their voices may have been muted for centuries, but they speak powerfully through this book.
January 24, 2026
𝐐𝐮𝐨𝐭𝐞:
"We have discussed women with privilege and women without privilege, but then there was another set of women who had privilege but were omitted, replaced and overlooked."
𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐈 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬?
I love reading books on history, and this one felt like an inspiring and important read because the contributions of women have largely been overlooked in the Mughal era.
𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:
The book cover is really appealing. The illustration reflects royalty and sophistication beautifully. The title grabs attention instantly and is very smartly chosen. The book also includes several pictures that enhance the overall reading experience.
𝐎𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧:
✓ If we look at the history taught in our schools, we have read extensively about Mughal emperors, but very little about Indian kings and even less about women.
✓ This book explores the lives and contributions of eleven Mughal women, including two of Aurangzeb’s daughters.
✓ I personally feel this book is much needed because these women played a significant role in shaping the Mughal Empire despite existing in an extremely restrictive and misogynistic environment.
✓ I appreciated how the author clearly acknowledges that many accounts are based on records by foreign travellers, which may sometimes be exaggerated.
✓ Each chapter ends with an interesting fact related to the featured Mughal woman. For instance, in the case of Begum Samru, we learn about her portrayal by an Indian actress in a Netflix series.
✓ The history is presented in an engaging manner that not only brings buried stories to light but also keeps the reader hooked till the end.
✓ For me, this is one of the best books on historical women figures that I have read, and I highly recommend it.
February 10, 2026
There is something profoundly subversive in the act of turning the page and finding not emperors, but the women who stood just beyond the edge of the spotlight, watching, calculating, enduring. Badass Begums is like opening a carved sandalwood door long shut. The air inside is thick with perfume, politics, poetry, and self-control.
Anouska Jain writes these women, Gulbadan Begum, Nur Jahan, Jahanara, and others (a total of ten) not as pretty accessories in embroidered silks, but as thinking, acting, desiring beings. What I loved most was not just their power, but the way it was expressed. It was power wielded from behind screens, politics through letters and marriages, dominance asserted in spaces that history has preferred to keep private.
Reading this book, I found myself picturing the Mughal court not just as a stage for conquest, but as a series of conversations between mothers and sons, sisters and emperors, patrons and poets. Jain does not mythologize them into flawless beings. She lets ambition, competition, vulnerability, and sorrow emerge. It is this complexity that gives the story its life.
The writing is clear and seductive, but there is a undertone of reclaiming that runs through it. These women were never absent from history; they were merely footnoted. This book brings back their voice. The images are an added value and gave colors to my imagination such that I really wanted to be a channel of a begum in me 😅
By the end, I felt less as if I had read a history and more as if I had been given access to a tradition, one of women who knew that living in gilded cages still requires cunning. Badass Begum is a special treat not because it screams, but because it whispers, softly but firmly, that we must remember differently.
Anouska Jain writes these women, Gulbadan Begum, Nur Jahan, Jahanara, and others (a total of ten) not as pretty accessories in embroidered silks, but as thinking, acting, desiring beings. What I loved most was not just their power, but the way it was expressed. It was power wielded from behind screens, politics through letters and marriages, dominance asserted in spaces that history has preferred to keep private.
Reading this book, I found myself picturing the Mughal court not just as a stage for conquest, but as a series of conversations between mothers and sons, sisters and emperors, patrons and poets. Jain does not mythologize them into flawless beings. She lets ambition, competition, vulnerability, and sorrow emerge. It is this complexity that gives the story its life.
The writing is clear and seductive, but there is a undertone of reclaiming that runs through it. These women were never absent from history; they were merely footnoted. This book brings back their voice. The images are an added value and gave colors to my imagination such that I really wanted to be a channel of a begum in me 😅
By the end, I felt less as if I had read a history and more as if I had been given access to a tradition, one of women who knew that living in gilded cages still requires cunning. Badass Begum is a special treat not because it screams, but because it whispers, softly but firmly, that we must remember differently.
January 10, 2026
A book full of stories about women shaping history? YES PLEASE!
Badass Begums by Anoushka Jain is the kind of history book that actually feels alive. Instead of presenting royal women as decorative figures in the background, it puts them right at the centre of power, ambition, and decision making. I found this approach so refreshing and it really shows in the way these women are written, not as mere legends or symbols, but as people with agency, flaws, and strong personalities.
The book looks at several Mughal era women who influenced politics, architecture, culture, and even warfare. You meet figures like Jahanara Begum, who shaped Delhi as we know it, and Begum Samru, who commanded an army and played power politics on her own terms. What makes the stories engaging is how they move beyond dates and achievements to show the personal risks these women took and the resistance they faced. There is intrigue, family drama, loyalty, betrayal, and survival, all woven into the narrative.
Anoushka Jain’s writing keeps things accessible without dumbing anything down. The research is solid, but it never feels like you are being lectured. Instead, it feels like listening to someone tell you stories they genuinely care about. The pacing is lively, and each chapter leaves you wanting to know more rather than feeling exhausted by information.
This book works well for readers who enjoy history but want it to feel relevant and human. If you are tired of the same old kings and battles and want to read about women who moulded history from within and outside the court, Badass Begums is a smart, engaging read that stays with you.
Badass Begums by Anoushka Jain is the kind of history book that actually feels alive. Instead of presenting royal women as decorative figures in the background, it puts them right at the centre of power, ambition, and decision making. I found this approach so refreshing and it really shows in the way these women are written, not as mere legends or symbols, but as people with agency, flaws, and strong personalities.
The book looks at several Mughal era women who influenced politics, architecture, culture, and even warfare. You meet figures like Jahanara Begum, who shaped Delhi as we know it, and Begum Samru, who commanded an army and played power politics on her own terms. What makes the stories engaging is how they move beyond dates and achievements to show the personal risks these women took and the resistance they faced. There is intrigue, family drama, loyalty, betrayal, and survival, all woven into the narrative.
Anoushka Jain’s writing keeps things accessible without dumbing anything down. The research is solid, but it never feels like you are being lectured. Instead, it feels like listening to someone tell you stories they genuinely care about. The pacing is lively, and each chapter leaves you wanting to know more rather than feeling exhausted by information.
This book works well for readers who enjoy history but want it to feel relevant and human. If you are tired of the same old kings and battles and want to read about women who moulded history from within and outside the court, Badass Begums is a smart, engaging read that stays with you.
January 16, 2026
"Badass Begums" is the sort of book that makes you feel as if you’re being introduced to real women whom you can't help but want to meet. The Begum women have had their stories relayed through the ages behind the purdahs of history. This book throws open the curtain.
There’s Jahanara Begum, who not only lived in the shadow of her father, Shah Jahan, but also got to design Delhi’s Chandni Chowk area. There's her sister, Roshanara, who was a shrewd strategist and influenced the empire's fate. There’s Begum Samru, who started out poor and even got her own army, and women like Maham Anga and Qudsia Begum, who influenced politics, gardens, and culture without being right at the forefront of everything.
The uniqueness about this book is its living quality. The author, Anoushka Jain, has the ability to make history come alive through the form of interesting stories about human beings. These women were not just names on history’s page; they were diplomats, constructors, fighters, and survivors too! The book also has maps for walking tours. So if you are ever in Delhi, you can walk through their footsteps.
If you're a history buff with a desire for more female narratives to permeate the genre, then this book will come as a delight to you. The book has research compiled into it with a certain reverence and a cast of characters so full of adventure and so painted with the attributes of intelligence and fearlessness that these are clearly values which are not bound to time and season but instead to character and strength alone.
There’s Jahanara Begum, who not only lived in the shadow of her father, Shah Jahan, but also got to design Delhi’s Chandni Chowk area. There's her sister, Roshanara, who was a shrewd strategist and influenced the empire's fate. There’s Begum Samru, who started out poor and even got her own army, and women like Maham Anga and Qudsia Begum, who influenced politics, gardens, and culture without being right at the forefront of everything.
The uniqueness about this book is its living quality. The author, Anoushka Jain, has the ability to make history come alive through the form of interesting stories about human beings. These women were not just names on history’s page; they were diplomats, constructors, fighters, and survivors too! The book also has maps for walking tours. So if you are ever in Delhi, you can walk through their footsteps.
If you're a history buff with a desire for more female narratives to permeate the genre, then this book will come as a delight to you. The book has research compiled into it with a certain reverence and a cast of characters so full of adventure and so painted with the attributes of intelligence and fearlessness that these are clearly values which are not bound to time and season but instead to character and strength alone.
January 22, 2026
A refreshing and powerful retelling of Mughal history that finally brings women out of the margins and places them firmly at the centre of power, politics and culture. Rather than portraying royal women as passive figures hidden behind purdahs, the book presents them as decision-makers, strategists, builders and survivors who actively shaped their times.
The narrative introduces readers to remarkable women such as Jahanara Begum, whose influence can still be traced in Delhi’s urban landscape, Roshanara Begum, a sharp political mind who played a decisive role in imperial politics, and Begum Samru, who rose from poverty to command her own army. Alongside them are figures like Maham Anga and Qudsia Begum, whose quieter yet impactful contributions influenced governance, architecture and cultural life. What makes these stories compelling is that they go beyond dates and achievements to reveal the risks, resistance, loyalties and betrayals these women faced.
Anoushka Jain’s writing style is engaging and accessible, making well-researched history feel alive and deeply human. The book reads less like a textbook and more like a series of vivid stories told with care and curiosity. Added elements such as maps and walking routes further connect the past to the present, inviting readers to literally walk through history.
Ideal for readers tired of king centric narratives, Badass Begums is an engaging, enlightening read that reclaims women’s rightful place in history and leaves a lasting impression.
February 3, 2026
"Badass Begums" by Anoushka Jain is a book that left me in awe, mostly because of all the information that the author has provided, but also slightly offended because of how our history books still refuse to talk about the important contributions women made for the empire to stand.
In this book, the author mainly talks about some of the important Begums from the Mughal era, whom we hardly know about, but whose contribution to shaping Delhi with monuments at that time is remarkable. Especially when you think that it was an era when women were used to being secluded—they had privilege and power, but were yet not free. Still, they managed to build gardens, serais, bazaars, stepwells, mosques, and havelis. The stories of these neglected women and their courage will intrigue you to know more.
The women we come to know about through this well-researched book are Jahanara Begum, Roshanara Begum, Begum Samru, Maham Anga, Qudsia Begum, and some others. I love the way the author introduces them: The Woman Who Built Chandni Chowk, The Power Broker, The OG Queen of Strategy, Saas and Survival, The Kingmaker, The Silent Architect, etc., which will intrigue you even more.
Lastly, the author's writing style will hook you to the book till the very end because, instead of being just an informative book, the author uses a storytelling method. So I would say, don't back out of this amazing book just because it's nonfiction. If you have even a little bit of interest in history—especially women's power in history—then just go for the book.
In this book, the author mainly talks about some of the important Begums from the Mughal era, whom we hardly know about, but whose contribution to shaping Delhi with monuments at that time is remarkable. Especially when you think that it was an era when women were used to being secluded—they had privilege and power, but were yet not free. Still, they managed to build gardens, serais, bazaars, stepwells, mosques, and havelis. The stories of these neglected women and their courage will intrigue you to know more.
The women we come to know about through this well-researched book are Jahanara Begum, Roshanara Begum, Begum Samru, Maham Anga, Qudsia Begum, and some others. I love the way the author introduces them: The Woman Who Built Chandni Chowk, The Power Broker, The OG Queen of Strategy, Saas and Survival, The Kingmaker, The Silent Architect, etc., which will intrigue you even more.
Lastly, the author's writing style will hook you to the book till the very end because, instead of being just an informative book, the author uses a storytelling method. So I would say, don't back out of this amazing book just because it's nonfiction. If you have even a little bit of interest in history—especially women's power in history—then just go for the book.
January 3, 2026
"Badass Begums" by Anoushka Jain feels like someone finally open the dusty history books and said that Mughal women weren't just sitting pretty behind veils, they have power ,shaped empires. They openly refuse to follow social rules while remaining behind purdah.
Let me walk you through a few Badass Begums that their stories literally blew my mind. The bold begums like Jahanara Begum, who designed Delhi's Chandni Chowk, and her scheming sister Roshanara Begum, who allied with Aurangzeb to seize their father's throne. Begum Samru rose from courtesan to warrior ruler, leading armies in battle, while Maham Anga and Mubarak Begum offered counsel rivaling top ministers. Qudsia Begum built stunning riverfront gardens amid rebellions, showcasing resilience.
Author mixes facts with fun tales of love,tricks,blending romance and women empowerment. Maps in the book guide you to real Delhi spots, like walking Jahanara's old haunts, making it feel alive and visitable. It's not stuffy history, it's a reminder that these begums juggled purdah, politics, and these are actual stories of women in history who lived before the internet, before there was Tik Tok and before marketing brands selling stuff in the name of women empowerment.
If you're into Indian historical fiction this gem is perfect,warm, witty, and eye-opening. Unlike dry texts, the book gives life to these Begums through relatable storytelling and literally this book gave me vibes like I was living in that era.
Let me walk you through a few Badass Begums that their stories literally blew my mind. The bold begums like Jahanara Begum, who designed Delhi's Chandni Chowk, and her scheming sister Roshanara Begum, who allied with Aurangzeb to seize their father's throne. Begum Samru rose from courtesan to warrior ruler, leading armies in battle, while Maham Anga and Mubarak Begum offered counsel rivaling top ministers. Qudsia Begum built stunning riverfront gardens amid rebellions, showcasing resilience.
Author mixes facts with fun tales of love,tricks,blending romance and women empowerment. Maps in the book guide you to real Delhi spots, like walking Jahanara's old haunts, making it feel alive and visitable. It's not stuffy history, it's a reminder that these begums juggled purdah, politics, and these are actual stories of women in history who lived before the internet, before there was Tik Tok and before marketing brands selling stuff in the name of women empowerment.
If you're into Indian historical fiction this gem is perfect,warm, witty, and eye-opening. Unlike dry texts, the book gives life to these Begums through relatable storytelling and literally this book gave me vibes like I was living in that era.
January 12, 2026
Badass Begums didn’t just teach me something, it reminded me of something I had always felt but never saw written so clearly.
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While history loudly celebrates emperors and wars this book gently lifts the veil on the women who shaped destinies in silence. Women who didn’t always sit on thrones yet held empires together with intellect, resilience and quiet courage. Reading this felt like reclaiming lost voices.Voices that were never weak but only unheard.
.
What touched me deeply is how human these stories feel. These women weren’t mythical or unreachable. They loved, endured, planned, negotiated, protected and survived often in spaces that refused to acknowledge their power. The demonstrative pictures make their presence even more real almost as if history finally decided to look back at them with respect.
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This is not a heavy historical book. It is informative, visual and emotionally grounding. It doesn’t overwhelm but it enlightens. Every page feels like a soft reminder that women have always been architects of history even when their names were written in the margins.
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I loved this book because it doesn’t shout feminism but it embodies it. Calm, dignified, unapologetic.
Reading it made me proud. Proud of women. Proud of history. Proud of how far we’ve come and aware of how much was already there.
.
Some stories don’t ask to be remembered.
They simply deserve to be.
January 20, 2026
Badass Begum by Anoushka Jain delves into the lives of ten remarkable Mughal women who, despite the confines of their roles as mothers, sisters, and wives, refused to be forgotten by history. They left an indelible mark which have withstood the test of time, empires, and rulers. These women were fierce negotiators for their own freedom, challenging societal norms and expectations.
What captivates me about this book is the author's ability to bring these strong female protagonists to life, highlighting their stories in a way that feels like an intimate conversation rather than a dry historical account. These women were not only alive, but they also exemplified strength, vision, and intelligence in their pursuits.
The book is infused with elements of intrigue, family drama, loyalty, betrayal, resistance and the essence of survival, all masterfully woven into the fabric of their stories. Each woman's experience embodies strength, intelligence, ambition, and resilience, collectively challenging the stereotype that Mughal women lived.
They employed intellect, diplomacy, and emotional intelligence significantly influencing governance, culture, architecture, and social welfare that potrays the begums didn't shout for power they took power with ease by standing their ground.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, as it shines a light on the often-overlooked contributions of Mughal women, encouraging readers to appreciate their legacy in a more profound way.
What captivates me about this book is the author's ability to bring these strong female protagonists to life, highlighting their stories in a way that feels like an intimate conversation rather than a dry historical account. These women were not only alive, but they also exemplified strength, vision, and intelligence in their pursuits.
The book is infused with elements of intrigue, family drama, loyalty, betrayal, resistance and the essence of survival, all masterfully woven into the fabric of their stories. Each woman's experience embodies strength, intelligence, ambition, and resilience, collectively challenging the stereotype that Mughal women lived.
They employed intellect, diplomacy, and emotional intelligence significantly influencing governance, culture, architecture, and social welfare that potrays the begums didn't shout for power they took power with ease by standing their ground.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, as it shines a light on the often-overlooked contributions of Mughal women, encouraging readers to appreciate their legacy in a more profound way.
January 22, 2026
'She was buried within Humayun's Tomb, alongside the man she had loved, mourned and immortalized'
I picked up this book seeing the bold title of the book at that time my curious mind wanted to know why the author has given such a bold and unique title to her book. Now, when I finished reading this book I totally understand why such title and truely the women in these stories of the book do deserve the title.
This book is a slice of history that was forgotten and lost in time. Though Mughal women faced a lot of restrictions yet they were financially and artistically independent.
In this book readers will come to know about the women who built lasting architectures such as Jahanara Begum. She was instrumental in shaping Delhi as a city. Book also covered Zeenat Mahal, who had privilege without power.
The chapters in the book talk woman herself, the architecture she built and the present condition of those buildings. The book focuses on ten such women who contributed to the city's fabric through their commissioned works.
What I liked about this book -
. This book does not rely simply on literary data, but discovers monuments built by women in the city.
. This book is an attempt to show these women as they wanted to be remembered in the pages of the history and architecture here is used as a language of communication.
This book is for all who love history, architecture and books that features women as main characters.
I picked up this book seeing the bold title of the book at that time my curious mind wanted to know why the author has given such a bold and unique title to her book. Now, when I finished reading this book I totally understand why such title and truely the women in these stories of the book do deserve the title.
This book is a slice of history that was forgotten and lost in time. Though Mughal women faced a lot of restrictions yet they were financially and artistically independent.
In this book readers will come to know about the women who built lasting architectures such as Jahanara Begum. She was instrumental in shaping Delhi as a city. Book also covered Zeenat Mahal, who had privilege without power.
The chapters in the book talk woman herself, the architecture she built and the present condition of those buildings. The book focuses on ten such women who contributed to the city's fabric through their commissioned works.
What I liked about this book -
. This book does not rely simply on literary data, but discovers monuments built by women in the city.
. This book is an attempt to show these women as they wanted to be remembered in the pages of the history and architecture here is used as a language of communication.
This book is for all who love history, architecture and books that features women as main characters.
January 29, 2026
Badass Begums uncovers the hidden stories of Mughal women who were far more than royal figures. They helped run empires, supported art and culture, made political decisions, fought battles, wrote poetry, and even built cities. Anushka Jain tells the stories of ten remarkable women like Jahanara Begum, Roshanara Begum, Begum Samru, Zeenat Mahal, and Qudsia Begum who played a powerful role in shaping history, even though their contributions were often ignored or forgotten.
What makes this book special is the way it tells its stories. It doesn’t feel like a boring history book at all. Instead, it feels like walking through old Delhi with someone who knows all the hidden stories that found in gardens, tombs, small streets, and forgotten places. The maps, short notes, and “Did You Know” facts make the book more engaging and fun to read.
The book is well-researched but still easy and pleasant to read. It shows these women not as side characters, but as strong individuals who shaped history. They made important political decisions, led armies, influenced who would rule next, and used their power with confidence, intelligence, and heart.
This book is for readers who like meaningful history, strong women’s stories, and storytelling that brings forgotten voices back to life.
A powerful, easy-to-read history book that gives Mughal women the recognition they always deserved.
What makes this book special is the way it tells its stories. It doesn’t feel like a boring history book at all. Instead, it feels like walking through old Delhi with someone who knows all the hidden stories that found in gardens, tombs, small streets, and forgotten places. The maps, short notes, and “Did You Know” facts make the book more engaging and fun to read.
The book is well-researched but still easy and pleasant to read. It shows these women not as side characters, but as strong individuals who shaped history. They made important political decisions, led armies, influenced who would rule next, and used their power with confidence, intelligence, and heart.
This book is for readers who like meaningful history, strong women’s stories, and storytelling that brings forgotten voices back to life.
A powerful, easy-to-read history book that gives Mughal women the recognition they always deserved.
February 26, 2026
📚 BOOK REVIEW
Badass Begums by Anoushka Jain
Badass Begums has been written by Anoushka Jain. The author conducts heritage walks in Delhi. The book is a non fiction based upon history. It reconstructs the lives of remarkable women who shaped the Mughal world. During the Mughal rein, the Mughal women were kept under strict confinement but they were financially and artistically independent. They adorned the city of Delhi with several monuments from their allowance. They built gardens, serais, bazaars, stepwells, mosques, havelis and Sufi dargahs. The women constructung these public buildings were begums, royal princess, noblewomen and courtesans.
This book revives the lost charm and glory of ten influencential begums of the Mughal-era, Jahanara, Roshanara, Maham Anga, Begum Samru, Nur Jahan, Zeb-un-Nissa, Qudsia Begum, Shah Begum, Hamida Banu Begum and Mumtaz Mahal. In the male dominated empire these women stood bold and made powerful deals to reshape the history and create a space for themselves behind the purdah.
The book is written with warmth and women perspective. It is refreshing and engaging which blends the research with storytelling. It connects the Delhi heritage sites with each historical women who built it. This book is based upon the observations of European travellers of that time.
The book is dedicated to forgetten women of history. It is suitable for readers interested in Mughal women history and cultural heritage.
Badass Begums by Anoushka Jain
Badass Begums has been written by Anoushka Jain. The author conducts heritage walks in Delhi. The book is a non fiction based upon history. It reconstructs the lives of remarkable women who shaped the Mughal world. During the Mughal rein, the Mughal women were kept under strict confinement but they were financially and artistically independent. They adorned the city of Delhi with several monuments from their allowance. They built gardens, serais, bazaars, stepwells, mosques, havelis and Sufi dargahs. The women constructung these public buildings were begums, royal princess, noblewomen and courtesans.
This book revives the lost charm and glory of ten influencential begums of the Mughal-era, Jahanara, Roshanara, Maham Anga, Begum Samru, Nur Jahan, Zeb-un-Nissa, Qudsia Begum, Shah Begum, Hamida Banu Begum and Mumtaz Mahal. In the male dominated empire these women stood bold and made powerful deals to reshape the history and create a space for themselves behind the purdah.
The book is written with warmth and women perspective. It is refreshing and engaging which blends the research with storytelling. It connects the Delhi heritage sites with each historical women who built it. This book is based upon the observations of European travellers of that time.
The book is dedicated to forgetten women of history. It is suitable for readers interested in Mughal women history and cultural heritage.
April 18, 2026
What if we looked beyond the throne and into the zenana? What if we traced the empire through the women who shaped it from behind the purdah?
This book uncovers ten extraordinary women who shaped the empire from behind the purdah, negotiating power, designing cities, influencing succession battles, and even leading armies. From Jahanara Begum’s vision for Chandni Chowk to Begum Samru’s rise from tawaif to military commander, these stories are bold, complex, and deeply human. This book was particularly compelling for its reclamation of narrative. It challenges the idea that power must be loud or visible to be real. These women negotiated, advised, built, influenced, and sometimes directly commanded, often within the constraints of purdah. Their stories complicate our understanding of both the Mughal Empire and the role of women in early modern South Asia.
What I also loved most is how accessible yet well-researched this book feels. It doesn’t romanticize these women, it restores them. The walking tour maps are a beautiful touch, reminding us that their legacies still stand in Delhi’s streets.
History often forgets its women. This book refuses to.
This book uncovers ten extraordinary women who shaped the empire from behind the purdah, negotiating power, designing cities, influencing succession battles, and even leading armies. From Jahanara Begum’s vision for Chandni Chowk to Begum Samru’s rise from tawaif to military commander, these stories are bold, complex, and deeply human. This book was particularly compelling for its reclamation of narrative. It challenges the idea that power must be loud or visible to be real. These women negotiated, advised, built, influenced, and sometimes directly commanded, often within the constraints of purdah. Their stories complicate our understanding of both the Mughal Empire and the role of women in early modern South Asia.
What I also loved most is how accessible yet well-researched this book feels. It doesn’t romanticize these women, it restores them. The walking tour maps are a beautiful touch, reminding us that their legacies still stand in Delhi’s streets.
History often forgets its women. This book refuses to.
March 24, 2026
Badass Begums is a refreshing and much-needed retelling of Mughal history this time through the lives of the women who shaped it from behind the veil. Badass Begums brings forward stories that feel both powerful and intimate, highlighting ambition, resilience, and quiet rebellion.
What stood out to me was how effortlessly the narrative blends solid research with engaging storytelling. These aren’t distant historical figures they feel real, flawed, strategic, and deeply human. From political manoeuvring to personal struggles, each account adds a new layer to how we understand power in that era.
The writing remains accessible without losing depth, making it an insightful read even for those who don’t usually pick up history books. At times, I wished certain stories were explored in even greater detail, but overall, the book succeeds in sparking curiosity and admiration.
If you enjoy history that reclaims forgotten voices especially strong, complex women this is definitely worth picking up.
What stood out to me was how effortlessly the narrative blends solid research with engaging storytelling. These aren’t distant historical figures they feel real, flawed, strategic, and deeply human. From political manoeuvring to personal struggles, each account adds a new layer to how we understand power in that era.
The writing remains accessible without losing depth, making it an insightful read even for those who don’t usually pick up history books. At times, I wished certain stories were explored in even greater detail, but overall, the book succeeds in sparking curiosity and admiration.
If you enjoy history that reclaims forgotten voices especially strong, complex women this is definitely worth picking up.
January 19, 2026
Badass Begums: The Incredible Women Who Shaped Mughal India is the kind of history book that feels alive rather than locked behind glass.
Anoushka Jain pulls ten Mughal-era women out of footnotes and places them exactly where they belong at the centre of power, politics, and city-making. Instead of dusty timelines, you get ambition, intrigue, strategy, and survival, all told in a way that’s engaging and easy to follow.
What really works is how grounded the book feels.
Jain doesn’t just talk about these women she walks you through Delhi itself, turning streets, gardens, and monuments into evidence of female influence. Jahanara Begum shaping Chandni Chowk, Roshanara Begum navigating brutal succession politics, and figures like Begum Samru commanding armies all quietly dismantle the idea that Mughal history was only shaped by emperors. These women weren’t just powerful “for their time” they were powerful, full stop.
The writing is clear, warm, and narrative driven, which makes it a great entry point for readers who usually avoid history books. It feels feminist without being preachy, corrective without being dry. That said, readers looking for dense academic debate or exhaustive footnotes might find it a little light. The Delhi-centric focus is a strength in terms of cohesion, but it may leave some wishing for a broader regional spread.
Overall, Badass Begums is smart, accessible, and genuinely fun to read. It changes how you see Mughal history and how you walk through Delhi.
Anoushka Jain pulls ten Mughal-era women out of footnotes and places them exactly where they belong at the centre of power, politics, and city-making. Instead of dusty timelines, you get ambition, intrigue, strategy, and survival, all told in a way that’s engaging and easy to follow.
What really works is how grounded the book feels.
Jain doesn’t just talk about these women she walks you through Delhi itself, turning streets, gardens, and monuments into evidence of female influence. Jahanara Begum shaping Chandni Chowk, Roshanara Begum navigating brutal succession politics, and figures like Begum Samru commanding armies all quietly dismantle the idea that Mughal history was only shaped by emperors. These women weren’t just powerful “for their time” they were powerful, full stop.
The writing is clear, warm, and narrative driven, which makes it a great entry point for readers who usually avoid history books. It feels feminist without being preachy, corrective without being dry. That said, readers looking for dense academic debate or exhaustive footnotes might find it a little light. The Delhi-centric focus is a strength in terms of cohesion, but it may leave some wishing for a broader regional spread.
Overall, Badass Begums is smart, accessible, and genuinely fun to read. It changes how you see Mughal history and how you walk through Delhi.
January 23, 2026
This book is a refreshing and eye-opening read. The book introduces us to Mughal-era women who were powerful, ambitious, and deeply involved in shaping history, yet are rarely mentioned in textbooks. From Jahanara Begum, who designed Chandni Chowk, to Begum Samru, who led her own army, each story shows a side of history we are not often taught.
What I appreciated most is how the book shines a light on women who were exceptional but forgotten. It gives credit where it truly belongs and helps correct the silence around their contributions. The stories are engaging and easy to follow, and the walking maps make the history feel real and close.
Overall, this book is important because it reminds us that history has many missing voice and it shall not remain hidden. That too when they were exceptional.
What I appreciated most is how the book shines a light on women who were exceptional but forgotten. It gives credit where it truly belongs and helps correct the silence around their contributions. The stories are engaging and easy to follow, and the walking maps make the history feel real and close.
Overall, this book is important because it reminds us that history has many missing voice and it shall not remain hidden. That too when they were exceptional.
January 31, 2026
Badass Begum was a wild card entry into my 2026 reading list, thanks to my weekly encounters with Anoushka, during the heritage walks.
Learnt a lot about my favorite city, especially the structures that I used to cross almost everyday; and yet never seemed to have thought of learning about them.
Also, the role of some strong women from the Mughal era and their contribution towards shaping up the culture of Delhi, I so much adore.
My favorite line from the book:
"A city like Delhi, which in today's time is considered unsafe for women, was once built by women."
A must read for everyone, if you love the city and want to know it's history. 3 cheers to Anoushka Jain.
Learnt a lot about my favorite city, especially the structures that I used to cross almost everyday; and yet never seemed to have thought of learning about them.
Also, the role of some strong women from the Mughal era and their contribution towards shaping up the culture of Delhi, I so much adore.
My favorite line from the book:
"A city like Delhi, which in today's time is considered unsafe for women, was once built by women."
A must read for everyone, if you love the city and want to know it's history. 3 cheers to Anoushka Jain.
April 11, 2026
It is a book about extraordinary women that history has forgotten yet need to be remembered for their courage, choices and aura. These women created their own way of living life not dared to be dictated by any. It is a take in showing history through their courage. This is a take on women of Mughal era..how they acted as centers of power like a kitchen cabinet of modern day. It is not a academic but bit if a motivational read to understand contribution of these women through their strong decision making skills.
It's an interesting read especially if you know a bit about of history..this is an add on or can say behind the stories to the narrative.
It's an interesting read especially if you know a bit about of history..this is an add on or can say behind the stories to the narrative.
January 30, 2026
This book tells the true stories of the powerful women who helped rule the Mughal Empire. While history often focuses on the Kings, these women were the real bosses. They were builders, warriors, and master politicians who lived by their own rules.
The writing is simple and brings their strength to life. It shows how they led armies and designed famous cities, proving they were never just sitting in the background. They were bold, smart, and completely in control of their own lives.
It is a fast and inspiring read that changes how you look at the past.
The writing is simple and brings their strength to life. It shows how they led armies and designed famous cities, proving they were never just sitting in the background. They were bold, smart, and completely in control of their own lives.
It is a fast and inspiring read that changes how you look at the past.
February 3, 2026
This book feels like a powerful correction to the way history has been traditionally told. Instead of placing women on the sidelines of Mughal history, it brings them right to the centre, where they always belonged. The narrative introduces readers to royal women who were not just queens or daughters behind palace walls, but sharp thinkers, political strategists, patrons of art, diplomats, and decision-makers who influenced empires.
What makes this read especially engaging is the balance between research and storytelling. The author presents historical facts in a way that feels accessible and lively, making complex timelines and power dynamics easy to follow even for readers who are not deeply familiar with Mughal history. Each woman’s story carries strength, intelligence, ambition, and resilience, challenging the stereotype that Mughal women lived passive, sheltered lives.
The book also highlights how these women navigated power within restrictions, using intellect, diplomacy, and emotional intelligence rather than brute force. Their contributions to governance, culture, architecture, and social welfare are eye-opening and deeply inspiring. It’s not just a history lesson, it’s a reminder of how women have always shaped the world, even when their voices were ignored or erased.
Overall, this is a compelling, empowering read that redefines royalty, leadership, and womanhood. It leaves you with admiration, curiosity, and a strong urge to question how many more such stories remain untold.
What makes this read especially engaging is the balance between research and storytelling. The author presents historical facts in a way that feels accessible and lively, making complex timelines and power dynamics easy to follow even for readers who are not deeply familiar with Mughal history. Each woman’s story carries strength, intelligence, ambition, and resilience, challenging the stereotype that Mughal women lived passive, sheltered lives.
The book also highlights how these women navigated power within restrictions, using intellect, diplomacy, and emotional intelligence rather than brute force. Their contributions to governance, culture, architecture, and social welfare are eye-opening and deeply inspiring. It’s not just a history lesson, it’s a reminder of how women have always shaped the world, even when their voices were ignored or erased.
Overall, this is a compelling, empowering read that redefines royalty, leadership, and womanhood. It leaves you with admiration, curiosity, and a strong urge to question how many more such stories remain untold.
March 27, 2026
BADASS BEGUMS - ANOUSHKA JAIN
We have all learnt of the Mughal Emperors how they fought and conquered empires but what about the forgotten Mughal Begums who actually boldly navigated the imperial courts, brokered powerful deals, reshaped Delhi's skyline created private spaces for women, fought battles and resisted patriarchy.
In this book author Anoushka Jain who conducts heritage walks in Delhi has exclusively selected 10 Mughal Begums who have contributed to the city of Delhi which was always the seat of power.
Each chapter talks about the desires, motives and motivation that pushed these women to build lasting architecture which makes their contribution matter.
We come to know how Jahanara Begum designed Chandni Chowk, Qudsia Begum who built riverfront gardens, Begum Samru who a tawaif became a ruler who led her own army into battles and many more stories which offer a different perspective of Mughal Empire than we already know.
With clear and vivid narration reading this was an eye opener and informative in many ways.
A perfect book to read for history buffs who want to read something different yet authentic!
We have all learnt of the Mughal Emperors how they fought and conquered empires but what about the forgotten Mughal Begums who actually boldly navigated the imperial courts, brokered powerful deals, reshaped Delhi's skyline created private spaces for women, fought battles and resisted patriarchy.
In this book author Anoushka Jain who conducts heritage walks in Delhi has exclusively selected 10 Mughal Begums who have contributed to the city of Delhi which was always the seat of power.
Each chapter talks about the desires, motives and motivation that pushed these women to build lasting architecture which makes their contribution matter.
We come to know how Jahanara Begum designed Chandni Chowk, Qudsia Begum who built riverfront gardens, Begum Samru who a tawaif became a ruler who led her own army into battles and many more stories which offer a different perspective of Mughal Empire than we already know.
With clear and vivid narration reading this was an eye opener and informative in many ways.
A perfect book to read for history buffs who want to read something different yet authentic!
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