Question

How did Bernier’s account highlight the positive role of Indian women ? Explain.

Hint:

While Bernier often viewed Indian society through a critical European lens, his writings still provide valuable evidence of the economic, political, and cultural agency of Indian women.

Answer 1

Concept: François Bernier, a French physician and traveler, spent twelve years (1656–1668 CE) in India during the Mughal era. His writings, compiled in \textit{Travels in the Mughal Empire}, frequently contrasted Indian societal structures with European systems. While he often focused on what he saw as the negative aspects of Eastern despotism, his detailed observations also captured the agency and multifaceted contributions of Indian women. Bernier's accounts highlighted the positive and active role of Indian women through the following areas:

• Active Participation in the Commercial Economy and Trade: Bernier noted that Indian women were not completely confined to domestic spaces, but actively participated in economic production. Women from agricultural and artisan families contributed directly to field labor, agricultural processing, and specialized textile manufacturing, such as spinning and embroidery. Their work was essential to the supply chains of India's thriving domestic and international trade networks. ```
• Political Influence, Administrative Agency, and Intelligence Roles: Bernier's accounts of the Mughal court reveal that elite women held significant political power and financial independence. Figures like Jahanara Begum (the daughter of Shah Jahan) participated in state politics, received revenue from prosperous trade ports like Surat, and designed major architectural projects like Chandni Chowk. Furthermore, Bernier observed that women were employed within the state's intelligence and security networks, serving as trusted palace guards and confidential informants.
• Resilience, Literary Expression, and Spiritual Agency: While Bernier wrote extensively about the practice of Sati, his descriptions unintentionally highlighted the immense mental strength and resolve of Indian women. Beyond these accounts, his writings show that women across different social strata participated in cultural life and religious traditions. They passed down oral histories, composed devotional poetry, and engaged with the Bhakti and Sufi movements, asserting their spiritual independence within a patriarchal society. ```