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Raziyâ Sultan: Defying Gender Norms in Mughal History

Raziyâ Sultan: Defying Gender Norms in Mughal History In the annals of Mughal history, tales abound of remarkable women whose courage, intelligence, and leadership left an indelible mark on the empire. Among these luminaries stands Jalâlat-ud-Dîn Raziyâ, a figure whose extraordinary reign as the first and only woman to rule over the Mughal empire as emperor of Delhi in 1236 AD defied societal norms and reshaped the course of history. Raziyâ's journey to the throne was one of exceptional resilience and determination. Born the daughter of Sultan Iltutmish, she grew up in a turbulent and fiercely competitive political environment. With no sons deemed worthy of succession, Sultan Iltutmish recognized Raziyâ's exceptional abilities and chose to groom her for leadership from a young age. Despite prevailing norms that relegated women to domestic roles, Raziyâ received training in military tactics, administration, and governance, emerging as a formidable presence within the court. Pres...