Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s long awaited Netflix series ‘Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar’ is set during the fight for Indian independence, and follows the lives of several tawaifs, in the title district in Lahore. While the series looks incredible and replicates the period detail of Bhansali’s other critically acclaimed works, I would argue that the real lifeContinue reading “‘Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar’ – Fact and Fiction”
Tag Archives: Empire
The influence of scripture, tradition and law on the abolition of Sati
‘Women become sites upon which various versions of scripture, tradition and law are elaborated’ – Lata Mani. Mani’s sentiment rings true, as scripture, tradition and law were used to address Sati, an issue that primarily concerned women. Women therefore did become sites upon which versions of these three sources were elaborated and developed. Although theseContinue reading “The influence of scripture, tradition and law on the abolition of Sati”
What was the significance of policing inter-racial sexual liaisons in late eighteenth century India?
The significance of the policing of interracial sexual liaisons in the 1790s cannot be realised without understanding Britain’s previous activities in India. Since its conception in the seventeenth century, the East India Trading Company’s primary function was the building and maintaining of trade links with India as a whole.[1] This holistic focus began to narrowContinue reading “What was the significance of policing inter-racial sexual liaisons in late eighteenth century India?”
Aurangzeb: Dispelling Myths about Religious Intolerance
Emperor Aurangzeb is frequently viewed as a discriminatory figure, unlike his great grandfather Emperor Akbar, who is celebrated for his religious policy of tolerance. However, if we look past this, it becomes clear that Aurangzeb’s main concern was the maintenance of the empire, and not religion. What people view as Aurangzeb’s botched and discriminatory religiousContinue reading “Aurangzeb: Dispelling Myths about Religious Intolerance”
Khambay's Words, Words, Words 