Gulbahar's identity

As a courtesan she had the power to lure men, she had the upper hand in an otherwise hierarchical society. She did not have to keep her behavior in check; rather the men had to keep theirs in check if they wanted to be in her company. The minute Gulbahar married Lal Hussain Shah she immediately lost the status which gave her power and authority. From being the independent woman who did not care about what society thought of her, she becomes the dependant wife of a politician, always worrying about protecting her past and the image which comes with it.  She is always shown in the private sphere, in her domestic setting, either waiting anxiously for her husband to come for dinner or preparing lavishly for his arrival.

It is interesting to see how she never sees her new identity as that of a mother’s. It can be thought that motherhood would help her relinquish her image as a courtesan, but Gulbahar does not see it that way. For her, she still maintains the status of a courtesan, she does not even grant herself the status of a politician’s wife which is why she is shown to worry about her past. She realizes that her situation is fragile and can be revoked and reversed in a moment if Lal Hussain Shah wishes. She does not wish anything from him apart from the security and the relationship he provides. She shows more concern for her son and his inheritance.

But it is also interesting to note the leniency with which he in turn treats his wife. He does not ask her what she needs the tremendous amount of money for, either he trusts her or he trusts her to take care of situations which he probably anticipated to crop up. As a father figure he does not show any leniency with Sheherbano, who represents the ideal obedient daughter.