The Status of Muslim Women in Medieval India

Front Cover
SAGE Publications, 2016 M03 21 - 284 pages

This book examines the economic, cultural, political and social positions of Muslim women in medieval India. It explores the changes that took place with the advent of Arabs, Turks, Mongols, Tartars, Afghans and Persians whose customs and traditions influenced the existing Islamic society.

Though Islam improved the position of women by instituting many reforms, the Islamic religious texts laid down the minutest code of conduct for women, the slightest deviation from which was considered irreligious. Such rigidity, coupled with the apathy of the ulemas, led to the weakening of position of women.

The book goes on to show how the diktats of the Quran were subjected to many interpretations down the ages, affecting the status of women in various ways.

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About the author (2016)

Sudha Sharma was former Chairperson, Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT). She has served as Director General (Vigilance) of the I-T department in national capital before her appointment to the top body. She has been recently appointed as the Woman Director on the Board of Indraprastha Gas Limited. Dr Sharma has 37 years of experience in the fields of Administration, Tax, Assessment, Appeals, Printing, Publishing & Advertisement, Promotion of Official Language, Computerization, Investigation, International Negotiations & signing Treaties (DTAA & TIEA) and Vigilance, both in the Government and the Public Sector. Dr Sharma did her PhD in History from Punjab University and started her career as a lecturer in history in Hans Raj Mahila Mahavidyalaya, Jalandhar.

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