Basant Prakash Gallery

Life in Zenana - The Inside-out of Udaipur's Palace for Women

The changing socio-political situations in the Indian subcontinent, at the start of the 17th century,zz necessitated enhanced security measures to be taken for women. In Mewar, the period saw a shift in the Zenana, or the Palace for the royal ladies, in the City Palace Complex. The new Zenana, in its present location, was dedicated solely to the women, and came with a heightened sense of the Purdah, or state of seclusion. The exhibition looks past these screens to highlight the workings and nitty-gritty of the system therein, dating back to approximately 300 years. It illustrates several examples of strength, valour, sacrifice, leadership, and public welfare initiatives, on part of the royal women. It also elucidates what these spaces were like when they served as living quarters for the royal ladies, ladies-in-waiting, and other women staff.