Who is Ladli from Beneath a Marble Sky: A Novel of the Taj Mahal and what is their importance?

Ladli is a Hindu servant who works mainly in the kitchens at the Red Fort of Agra. She is Princess Jahanara's confidant and best friend, and she is as earthy as she is beautiful. The two are so tied that Ladli is willing to sacrifice her personal freedom and private honor to seek information for her friend, Jahanara. To that end, Ladli becomes Aurangzeb's lover and manages to save Jahanara several times before she must leave in order to stay alive. Jahanara does her best to repay her friend by bringing her along when she leaves the Red Fort forever.