Eunuchs, called Khwājasaras, played a remarkably important role in the Mughal court. They were trusted officials who guarded the imperial harem (zenana), managed palace administration, and often became influential political figures. Because they could safely move between the emperor and the royal women, they were considered extremely reliable servants of the crown.
These are some of the major eunuchs known from Mughal history.
Itimad Khan
Itimad Khan was an influential eunuch during the early Mughal period, particularly under Akbar, The 3rd Mughal Emperor, ruled 1556-1605 AD.
He served as a trusted administrator of the imperial harem and supervised palace security. Eunuchs like him controlled the entrances to the zenana and carried confidential messages between royal women and the emperor.
Some historical accounts also suggest that Itimad Khan held high administrative authority in Gujarat before the Mughal conquest, showing that eunuchs could sometimes rise to political prominence.
Javed Khan Nawab Bahadur
Javed Khan was probably the most powerful eunuch in the late Mughal Empire.
During the reign of Ahmad Shah Bahadur, he became extremely influential because of his close relationship with the emperor’s mother Udham Bai.
He received the title “Nawab Bahadur” and effectively controlled many court decisions in Delhi. However, his power angered many Mughal nobles, and he was eventually assassinated in 1752 by supporters of Safdar Jang.
Khwaja Sara Hilal
Khwaja Sara Hilal served in the Mughal court as a senior eunuch officer responsible for palace administration.
Officials like him controlled:
Access to the emperor
Security of the imperial harem
Communication between palace departments
They often commanded large groups of palace servants and guards.
Khwaja Sara Basant
Khwaja Basant was a famous eunuch officer during the reign of Jahangir, The 4th Mughal Emperor.
Unlike many eunuchs who served inside palaces, Basant was trusted with military responsibilities and diplomatic missions. This shows that eunuchs in the Mughal system were not limited to domestic duties but could serve as commanders and envoys.
Role of Eunuchs in the Mughal Empire
Khwajasaras were powerful for several reasons:
• They guarded the imperial zenana.
• They controlled access to the emperor and royal women.
• They handled confidential political communication.
• Many were given land grants, titles, and wealth.
In palaces like the Red Fort, eunuchs guarded the gates leading to buildings such as Rang Mahal and Mumtaz Mahal, where the royal women lived.
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