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]
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]
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]
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]