by Kaavya Sahi, Grade 9
The Mughals were a prominent dynasty that ruled the Indian subcontinent from the 16th to the 19th century. They are renowned for their warrior spirit, cultural richness, grandeur, and vibrant way of life. The dynasty seems worlds apart from our lives today; our routines, habits, and outlook vastly different from theirs. Yet, in the fascinating session “Mughals and Their World” led by Ashwitha Jayakumar, we were struck by how much we have in common with the Mughals. “The Mughals are incredibly close to us in time. Instead of just reading about them in a textbook, I wanted to understand their lives more deeply and see who they truly were,” said Ashwitha, who wrote The Book of Emperors: An Illustrated History of the Mughals.
The children who attended the session had their eyes fixed on the whiteboard where images of the Mughals’ lives were projected. They learned how closely their daily routines mirrored those of an emperor. For instance, we wake up early to head to school while the emperor rose at dawn for prayer. We eat lunch around noon, just as the emperor did, and share similar evening routines. The emperor enjoyed music, much like we do, and embraced rituals and pastimes that resonate with us today.
Ashwitha asked, “The Mughals created portraits so that people like us could remember them. How would you create a portrait so that people could remember you?” Watching children thoughtfully sketch portraits of themselves playing football or relaxing by the beach with a book, I saw faces full of joy and self-expression.
This session offered profound insights into both the Mughal era and ourselves. It bridged the past and present and helped us reflect on the time that has passed in between. I now understand the sentiment behind Ashwitha’s statement that “Reading for me is like breathing.” The more we read, the more we understand—even if it’s a glimpse into the lives of the Mughals.
