The antahpura (Sanskrit: अन्तःपुर, romanized: Antaḥpura), also rendered anthapura, was the women's quarters or the royal harem of an Indian palace.[1] It was the suite of apartments that were generally situated in a secluded portion of the palace, reserved for the women of the royal household.[2][3] It consisted of the king's queens and concubines and was headed by his first queen, who was accorded the highest status.[4]
Several palaces in India contain the antahpura, such as the ones of Hampi and Mysore.[5]
The Arthashastra describes the antahpura to be guarded by eunuchs and include a number of apartments, one within the other. It is stated to comprise a parapet, a ditch, and a main door. The passage of commodities from and to these apartments are stated to be restricted, only allowed within after careful examination.[6]
The Ramayana describes the antahpura of the rakshasa king Ravana in Lanka, where he has Sita housed and guarded.[7] The consorts of Dasharatha each had their own apartment in his antahpura in Ayodhya.[8]
The goddess Mahakali is described to reside in the antahpura of her palace in Manidvipa, where she is described to sleep with her consort, Mahashiva.[9]
^Turner, R. L. (1999). A Comparative Dictionary of the Indo-Aryan Languages. Motilal Banarsidass Publishers. p. 16. ISBN978-81-208-1665-7.
^Feminism and Indian realities by K A Kunjakkan. New Delhi: Mittal Publications, 2002. chapter on "Women during the Vedic age"
^Walker, Benjamin (9 April 2019). Hindu World: An Encyclopedic Survey of Hinduism. In Two Volumes. Volume I A-L. Routledge. p. 427. ISBN978-0-429-62465-0.
^The Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Hinduism ( 2 Vol Set)(gnv 64). p. 44.
^Early Indian secular architecture by K Krishna Murthy. Delhi: Sundeep Prakashan, 1987. p.113 and following.
^Garg, Gaṅgā Rām (1992). Encyclopaedia of the Hindu World. Concept Publishing Company. p. 502. ISBN978-81-7022-375-7.
^Daalen, L. A. Van (2004). Valmiki's Sanskrit. Motilal Banarsidass Publ. p. 155. ISBN978-81-208-1925-2.
^Guruge, Ananda W. P. (1991). The Society of the Ramayana. Abhinav Publications. p. 96. ISBN978-81-7017-265-9.
^Prabhupada, His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami; Prabhupada, Disciples of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami (31 December 1977). Srimad-Bhagavatam, Tenth Canto: The Summum Bonum. The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust. p. 2284. ISBN978-91-7149-643-0.
January 01, 1970
antahpura, antahpura, sanskrit, अन, romanized, antaḥpura, also, rendered, anthapura, women, quarters, royal, harem, indian, palace, suite, apartments, that, were, generally, situated, secluded, portion, palace, reserved, women, royal, household, consisted, kin. The antahpura Sanskrit अन त प र romanized Antaḥpura also rendered anthapura was the women s quarters or the royal harem of an Indian palace 1 It was the suite of apartments that were generally situated in a secluded portion of the palace reserved for the women of the royal household 2 3 It consisted of the king s queens and concubines and was headed by his first queen who was accorded the highest status 4 Several palaces in India contain the antahpura such as the ones of Hampi and Mysore 5 Contents 1 Literature 1 1 Arthashastra 1 2 Hindu literature 2 See also 3 ReferencesLiterature editArthashastra edit The Arthashastra describes the antahpura to be guarded by eunuchs and include a number of apartments one within the other It is stated to comprise a parapet a ditch and a main door The passage of commodities from and to these apartments are stated to be restricted only allowed within after careful examination 6 Hindu literature edit Antahpuras are featured in Hindu texts The Ramayana describes the antahpura of the rakshasa king Ravana in Lanka where he has Sita housed and guarded 7 The consorts of Dasharatha each had their own apartment in his antahpura in Ayodhya 8 The goddess Mahakali is described to reside in the antahpura of her palace in Manidvipa where she is described to sleep with her consort Mahashiva 9 The Bhagavata Purana describes Krishna sending a Brahmana to send a message to Rukmini in her antahpura in Vidarbha before their elopement 10 See also editWomen only spaceReferences edit Turner R L 1999 A Comparative Dictionary of the Indo Aryan Languages Motilal Banarsidass Publishers p 16 ISBN 978 81 208 1665 7 Feminism and Indian realities by K A Kunjakkan New Delhi Mittal Publications 2002 chapter on Women during the Vedic age Walker Benjamin 9 April 2019 Hindu World An Encyclopedic Survey of Hinduism In Two Volumes Volume I A L Routledge p 427 ISBN 978 0 429 62465 0 The Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Hinduism 2 Vol Set gnv 64 p 44 Early Indian secular architecture by K Krishna Murthy Delhi Sundeep Prakashan 1987 p 113 and following Garg Gaṅga Ram 1992 Encyclopaedia of the Hindu World Concept Publishing Company p 502 ISBN 978 81 7022 375 7 Daalen L A Van 2004 Valmiki s Sanskrit Motilal Banarsidass Publ p 155 ISBN 978 81 208 1925 2 Guruge Ananda W P 1991 The Society of the Ramayana Abhinav Publications p 96 ISBN 978 81 7017 265 9 Van 13 September 2013 India amp Beyond Routledge p 132 ISBN 978 1 136 82114 1 Prabhupada His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada Disciples of His Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami 31 December 1977 Srimad Bhagavatam Tenth Canto The Summum Bonum The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust p 2284 ISBN 978 91 7149 643 0 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Antahpura amp oldid 1212642217, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,