Concubinage in the Muslim world refers to the mostly historical practice of Muslim men entering into sexual relationships with women outside the institution of marriage. In the main, this involved ens
Women of the Harem by Jules Laurens, c. 1847
Giulio Rosati, Inspection of New Arrivals, 1858–1917, Circassian beauties
A Reclining Odalisque, painted by Gustave Léonard de Jonghe, c. 1870
Harem, by Doroshevich, c. 1905
Harem
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A harem or harim is a domestic space that is reserved for the women of the house, especially in a Muslim family. A harem may house a man's wife or wives, their pre-pubescent male sons, unmarried daugh
History of concubinage in the Muslim world
…and elite sections of society. The large-scale availability of women for sexual slavery had a strong influence on Muslim thought, even though the "harem" culture of the elite was not mirrored by most of the Muslim population. Concubinage was rare in Arabia in the period immediate preceding the advent…
Ladies of Kabul (1848 lithograph, by James Rattray) showing unveiling in zenana areas.
New entrant to a prince's harem. Jaipur, late 18 century, National Museum, New Delhi
Khosrow and Shirin (Bukhara, 1648)
Jahangi seer and Prince Khurram with Nur Jahan, c. 1624. This scene is probably set in the Aram Bagh garden, which the empress Nur Jahan, a great patron of gardens, had re-modeled in 1621.