Mafia Queens of Mumbai: The Women Who Ruled the Shadows

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When conversations turn to Mumbai’s underworld, the narrative is almost always dominated by men—gang lords, smugglers, and kingpins whose names have become part of popular culture. Mafia Queens of Mumbai, written by investigative journalist S. Hussain Zaidi along with Jane Borges, decisively challenges this male-centric view. The book uncovers a lesser-known but deeply compelling reality: women were not merely accessories or victims in the underworld; many were powerful actors who shaped crime, controlled territories, and exercised influence in ways that rivaled their male counterparts.

Published as a work of non-fiction, the book profiles thirteen women whose lives intersected with crime, survival, ambition, and power in Mumbai’s ganglands. Their stories are not glamorized; instead, they are presented as complex human narratives rooted in social realities such as poverty, patriarchy, betrayal, and resilience.

A Different Lens on the Underworld

Unlike sensational crime fiction, Mafia Queens of Mumbai adopts a journalistic approach. Drawing on police records, court documents, interviews, and field research, the authors place these women within the broader socio-economic landscape of Mumbai from the mid-20th century onward. The book argues that crime, especially in urban India, cannot be understood purely through masculinity. Women, often forced into margins, found alternative paths to authority—sometimes through crime itself.

Many of the women featured did not initially choose the underworld. Circumstances such as abandonment, domestic violence, trafficking, or widowhood pushed them into spaces where legality and survival blurred. Over time, some transformed from victims into decision-makers, carving out territories of control.

Gangubai Kathiawadi: Power from the Margins

The most widely known figure in the book is Gangubai Kathiawadi, whose life later inspired mainstream cinema. Sold into prostitution at a young age, Gangubai’s story is emblematic of how coercion can give rise to resistance. Instead of remaining powerless, she emerged as a leader in Kamathipura, advocating for sex workers’ rights, negotiating with politicians, and commanding respect within the underworld.

Her power did not stem from violence alone but from strategic alliances, emotional intelligence, and the ability to navigate systems dominated by men. Gangubai’s story complicates moral binaries—she was both a product of exploitation and a figure of authority.

Sapna Didi: Revenge and Ruthlessness

Another striking narrative is that of Sapna Didi, remembered primarily for her audacious attempt to assassinate Dawood Ibrahim. Her story highlights how personal loss and betrayal could harden into ruthless ambition. Sapna Didi’s transformation from a grieving woman into an underworld operative underscores the book’s central theme: crime often emerges from deeply personal trauma rather than abstract greed.

Her life also illustrates the fragility of power. Despite her notoriety, she ultimately met a tragic end, reinforcing the idea that the underworld consumes even those who appear fearless.

Women Who Ran Empires

Several women in the book inherited criminal enterprises after the deaths of husbands or partners. Jenabai Daruwala, for instance, took over a bootlegging empire, demonstrating sharp business acumen in an illegal economy. These women managed logistics, bribed officials, enforced discipline, and ensured profitability—functions indistinguishable from corporate leadership, albeit in illicit settings.

Others, such as women involved in gambling, hawala, or smuggling, operated as silent power brokers. They rarely appeared in headlines, yet their influence was widely acknowledged by police and rivals alike.

The Brothel Keepers and Intermediaries

The book also explores women who controlled brothels, acted as intermediaries between gangs, or served as information conduits between criminals and law enforcement. These roles required trust, discretion, and negotiation skills. Far from being passive figures, these women often decided who gained access to networks, money, and protection.

By documenting these roles, the book exposes how informal power structures operated parallel to formal governance. In many cases, these women wielded more immediate authority than elected representatives within their limited territories.

Crime, Gender, and Society

A central strength of Mafia Queens of Mumbai lies in its refusal to romanticize crime. The authors consistently remind readers that while these women exercised agency, their choices were shaped by systemic failures—lack of education, absence of social safety nets, and deeply entrenched gender inequalities.

The book implicitly raises uncomfortable questions: If society denies women dignity, security, and opportunity, can their turn to crime be viewed solely as moral failure? Or is it also a commentary on structural injustice?

Cultural Impact and Legacy

The cultural impact of the book extends beyond literature. Its stories influenced public discourse on gender and crime and inspired adaptations in popular media. While cinematic portrayals often dramatize events, the book itself remains grounded in realism, offering nuance rather than spectacle.

Importantly, Mafia Queens of Mumbai opened space for future narratives that examine women in unconventional roles—not as symbols, but as individuals shaped by circumstance and choice.

Conclusion

Mafia Queens of Mumbai is not merely a chronicle of crime; it is a study of power, survival, and gender in one of India’s most complex cities. By documenting the lives of thirteen women who navigated the shadows of legality, the book challenges readers to rethink assumptions about agency, morality, and strength.

These women were neither saints nor caricatures. They were strategists, survivors, perpetrators, and products of their environment. In telling their stories, the book forces us to confront an uncomfortable truth: the underworld, like society itself, reflects the inequalities and contradictions we often choose to ignore.