Antahpura Explained
The antahpura, also rendered anthapura, was the women's quarters or the royal harem of an Indian palace.[1] It was the suite of apartments that were generally situated in a secluded portion of the palace, reserved for the women of the royal household.[2] [3] It consisted of the king's queens and concubines and was headed by his first queen, who was accorded the highest status.[4]
Several palaces in India contain the antahpura, such as the ones of Hampi and Mysore.[5]
Literature
Arthashastra
The Arthashastra describes the antahpura to be guarded by eunuchs and include a number of apartments, one within the other. It is stated to comprise a parapet, a ditch, and a main door. The passage of commodities from and to these apartments are stated to be restricted, only allowed within after careful examination.[6]
Hindu literature
Antahpuras are featured in Hindu texts.
The Ramayana describes the antahpura of the rakshasa king Ravana in Lanka, where he has Sita housed and guarded.[7] The consorts of Dasharatha each had their own apartment in his antahpura in Ayodhya.[8]
The goddess Mahakali is described to reside in the antahpura of her palace in Manidvipa, where she is described to sleep with her consort, Mahashiva.[9]
The Bhagavata Purana describes Krishna sending a Brahmana to send a message to Rukmini in her antahpura in Vidarbha before their elopement.[10]
See also
Notes and References
- Book: Turner, R. L. . A Comparative Dictionary of the Indo-Aryan Languages . 1999 . Motilal Banarsidass Publishers . 978-81-208-1665-7 . 16 . en.
- Feminism and Indian realities by K A Kunjakkan. New Delhi: Mittal Publications, 2002. chapter on "Women during the Vedic age"
- Book: Walker, Benjamin . Hindu World: An Encyclopedic Survey of Hinduism. In Two Volumes. Volume I A-L . 2019-04-09 . Routledge . 978-0-429-62465-0 . 427 . en.
- Book: The Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Hinduism (2 Vol Set)(gnv 64) . 44 . English.
- Early Indian secular architecture by K Krishna Murthy. Delhi: Sundeep Prakashan, 1987. p.113 and following.
- Book: Garg, Gaṅgā Rām . Encyclopaedia of the Hindu World . 1992 . Concept Publishing Company . 978-81-7022-375-7 . 502 . en.
- Book: Daalen, L. A. Van . Valmiki's Sanskrit . 2004 . Motilal Banarsidass Publ. . 978-81-208-1925-2 . 155 . en.
- Book: Guruge, Ananda W. P. . The Society of the Ramayana . 1991 . Abhinav Publications . 978-81-7017-265-9 . 96 . en.
- Book: Van . India & Beyond . 2013-09-13 . Routledge . 978-1-136-82114-1 . 132 . en.
- Book: Prabhupada . His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami . Srimad-Bhagavatam, Tenth Canto: The Summum Bonum . Prabhupada . Disciples of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami . 1977-12-31 . The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust . 978-91-7149-643-0 . 2284 . en.
