'… medieval Indian court … has emerged as an important field of study … The book under review is a valuable addition to this stream … comprehensive analysis of how contemporary European travelers viewed the Mughal haram … Ruby Lal studies the early Mughal haram in a meticulous and creative way … Discussing medieval culture, a historian should adopt a somewhat anthropological technique … The author manages this technique successfully … The author's main contribution and success in her study is in showing the institution of the Mughal haram as being fluid and responsive to the changing socio-political and cultural environment … equally skilful in delineating the social and emotional links within this haram world. Especially impressive is the research into the various roles of women, especially elder ones, in family and clan relations, and the political and religious life of the nascent empire … Pre-modern India is but rarely discussed by scholars as an integral part of a greater medieval world … comparative study of Mughal, Safavid and Ottoman harams … commendable indeed … this study will serve to inspire further questions and criticisms from readers, as a good piece of research should … well-written and thought-provoking work, a welcome addition to medieval Indian studies and useful reading for those interested in Mughal history and culture.' Journal of International Asian Studies.