Maritime Mughals

Royal women also played a direct role

Mariam-uz-Zamani owned several ships

The Mughal period in India, which lasted from 1526 to 1857, is known for many things the world over. It was a time of great cultural and intellectual flourishing, with art, science, and literature all enjoying notable periods of growth. The same applied to the position of women and shipping trade in the subcontinent.

Key trading ports under the Mughal Empire included Surat, Cambay, and Hugli on the Indian mainland, which served as busy centers for shipping and trade. Ships arrived from Europe, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East with various goods and left with Indian trades such as spices, textiles, and gems.

Shipbuilding was a significant industry during this time. Indian shipbuilding industry was well renowned across the world, and many European traders preferred the sturdy, sea-worthy ships built in India. Naval architecture was at a great height during Mughal reign, and several types of vessels were built, like galleons, frigates, and carracks.

India traded extensively with countries in the Arabian Peninsula, Southeast Asia, and East Africa, with goods travelling by sea routes. European powers like the Portuguese, Dutch, English, and French established their East India companies and obtained permissions, or farmans, from the Mughal emperors to trade in India. They brought goods like precious metals, wine, woolens, etc., and in return, they took away spices, indigo, tea, textiles, etc., that were in high demand in Europe.

Piracy was a significant problem that impacted maritime trade during the Mughal period. Traders often had to pay for protection from pirates or risk losing their goods. The Mughal navy was modest, and the coastline’s defence was typically contracted out to local rulers, causing variable effectiveness.

A very special mention must be made of the Mughal women who played a direct role in shipping.

Mariam-uz-Zamani was one such woman to embark on maritime trade from the Mughal house. She was a Rajput princess of Amer married to the illustrious Akbar and the mother of Jahangir. Being the Queen Mother and surrounded by court politics Mariam-uz-Zamani took keen interest in trade and channelized the capital that she received from her various possessions into maritime trade.

Her trade pursuits are widely known today due to her enormous ship ‘Rahimi’ which sailed under her flags and was captured by the marauding Portuguese.

During the 17th century Rahimi was one of the largest vessels to sail the Indian seas. The ship had room for 1,500 passengers and transported goods worth 100,000 British pounds, which today is equivalent to half a billion rupees.

Mariam was passionate about her ships and cargoes. There was an incident when an English agent, William Finch, outbid the cargo reserved for her. He was never heard from again.

Nur Jahan and Jahanara are also known to have had commercial interests in ships and sea trade.

The unconventional role they played in maritime trade can only gauge the power and authority women wielded in Mughal times.

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