Question

Consider the following professions:
1. Spinning
2. Weaving
3. Weeding and transplanting
4. Rubble making and carrying bricks and plaster materials
Which of the above professions were largely carried on by women workers in Mughal India as is evident from the Mughal miniatures and Glossaries?

• A. 1, 2 and 3
• B. 1 and 4
• C. 3 and 4
• D. 1, 3 and 4

Answer 1

The correct option is A 1, 2 and 3

During the Mughal period, the women worked equal to men. The responsibilities were divided between both men and women in the agrarian sector. Men tilled and ploughed, whereas women sowed, weeded, threshed and winnowed the harvest. Since women were also involved in the field, there was no segregation of work between the home (housewife) and the outside world (dominated by men). Artisanal tasks such as spinning yarn, weaving sifting and kneading clay for pottery, and embroidery were among the many aspects of production dependent on female labour. The more commercialised the product, the greater the demand on women’s labour to produce it. In fact, peasant and artisan women worked not only in the fields, but even went to the houses of their employers or to the markets if necessary. Rubble making, brick carrying were extremely strenuous tasks and were reserved for men. Hence, Option A is correct. Among, the rest, all the options include the tasks reserved for men(Rubble making and carrying bricks and plaster materials), within the purview of women's occupations, hence, incorrect.