the zenana was a persian tradition brought in by the invading muslims. although originally only a feature of the courts of muslim dynasties, it was also adopted by hindu royal families. while separate spaces for women sometimes did exist in ancient period, they didn't become a norm until the muslim period. under akbar, there was a marked focus on secluding women and the creation of harems. this policy of mughals was also emulated later by others like chakma raj and the sikh kingdoms in punjab.