Mughal Education and Architecture

Who established Madarsa-e-Begum in Delhi?

Madarsa-e-Begum in Delhi was established by Maham Anaga, the foster mother of Emperor Akbar, in 1561 as part of the Khair-ul-Manazil complex.

Primary Reference: NCERT Class XII - Themes in Indian History Part II

Archived: 2012

Updated: 21 Mar 2026

Exam Year

2012

Evidence Source

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Delhi's education centre which was known as 'Madarsa-e-Begum' was established by whom?

[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2012]

Detailed Solution & Historical Context

Concept

During the Mughal period, royal women played a significant role in establishing educational and religious institutions. These centers served as focal points for intellectual growth in Delhi.

Authentic Source Evidence

Maham Anaga, the influential foster mother of Emperor Akbar, established the Madarsa-e-Begum in 1561. This institution was part of the Khair-ul-Manazil mosque complex, located opposite the Purana Qila.

Analytical Breakdown

Logic 1: Maham Anaga held immense power during the early years of Akbar's reign (the 'Petticoat Government' period) and used her resources to promote architecture and learning.

Logic 2: While Gulbadan Begum was a noted author (Humayun-nama), her primary contribution was literary rather than institutional in this context.

Logic 3: Zeenat-un-Nissa (daughter of Aurangzeb) was known for her piety and calligraphy but lived in a later era.

Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic

"What was the significance of Khair-ul-Manazil?"

It was a mosque-cum-madarsa that symbolized the political and social influence of royal women in the 16th-century Mughal court.

Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip

"The establishment of Madarsa-e-Begum highlights that Mughal female royals were active patrons of the 'Sadr' (educational/religious) departments."

Topic Clusters (click to see related topic questions)

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