– Who introduced the ‘purdah’ in India?
– Who introduced Islam into India?
When UPA presidential nominee Pratibha Patil mentioned that the purdah had been in existence since Mughal times, she was being historically inaccurate, but voicing a commonly held misconception.
In fact, according to N R Farooqi, professor of History at Allahabad University, the Mughals probably borrowed purdah from the Rajputs. Historian Harbans Mukhia, in his book, The Mughals of India, cites the Baburnama and the Humayunnama to state that the Mughals were never in purdah. Farooqi says Mughal women were introduced to the purdah only after Akbar married a Rajput princess, who may have brought this custom along with her.
Many other popular perceptions are often mistaken for historical fact, such as Islam being brought to India by Muslim invaders. Most historians concur that India’s introduction to Islam was, in fact, through Arab traders.
It’s not surprising that tales abound in India, since our culture has a tradition of storytelling. Myths, however, become intertwined with history, often overshadowing it. That’s why the fictional Salim-Anarkali romance is more popular than the real Jahangir-Noorjahan love story.
Even stories which have an element of truth can be blown out of proportion. Like Asoka slaying his 100 brothers, which historians believe was exaggerated, though there probably was a struggle for the throne.
– TOI (June 24, 2007)
