Za Nur Jahan Begum ain Sara Abad : Viewing Inscription and Reading Architecture in the Caravanserai of a Mughal Empress

This study reveals the potential of architectural inscriptions as alternative primary sources for understanding the agency and motivations of powerful Mughal women, exemplified by Empress Nur Jahan's Serai Nur caravanserai. By contextualizing epigraphy within its broader visual environment, the research shifts from traditional positivist approaches to a more interpretive method that traces design decisions back to their creative intent. This approach not only sheds light on Nur Jahan's role as a patron but also challenges gendered and colonial readings of historical sources.

Dutta, P. (2024). Za Nur Jahan Begum ain Sara Abad : Viewing Inscription and Reading Architecture in the Caravanserai of a Mughal Empress. South Asia: Journal of South Asian Studies, 47(4), 704–723. https://doi.org/10.1080/00856401.2024.2362055