Mumtaz Mahal
Mumtaz Mahal | |
---|---|
Empress mother of the Mughal Empire | |
Padshah Begum | |
Tenure | 19 January 1628 – 17 June 1631 |
Predecessor | Nur Jahan |
Successor | Jahanara Begum |
Born | Arjumand Banu Begum 29 October 1593 Agra, Mughal Empire |
Died | 17 June 1631 Burhanpur, Mughal Empire | (aged 37)
Burial | , India |
Spouse | |
Issue among others... | |
House | Timurid (by marriage) |
Father | Abu'l-Hasan Asaf Khan |
Mother | Diwanji Begum |
Religion | Shia Islam[1][2][3][4][5] |
Mumtaz Mahal (Arjumand Banu Begum; Persian pronunciation:
Mumtaz Mahal was born Arjumand Banu Begum in Agra to a family of
Mumtaz Mahal died in 1631 in Burhanpur, Deccan (present-day Madhya Pradesh) during the birth of her 14th child, a daughter named Gauhar Ara Begum.[20] Shah Jahan had the Taj Mahal built as a tomb for her, which is considered to be a monument of undying love. As with other Mughal royal ladies, no contemporary likenesses of her are accepted, but imagined portraits were created from the 19th century onwards.
Family and early life
Mumtaz Mahal was born as Arjumand Banu on 29 October 1593
Asaf Khan was also the older brother of Empress
Mumtaz was remarkable in the field of learning and was a talented and cultured lady.[27] She was well-versed in Arabic and Persian, and could compose poems in the latter.[28][27] She was reputed to have a combination of modesty and candor, a woman warmly straightforward yet bemusedly self-possessed. Early in adolescence, she attracted the attention of important nobles of the realm. Jahangir must have heard about her, since he readily consented to Shah Jahan's engagement with her.[29]
Marriage
Mumtaz Mahal was betrothed to Shah Jahan around 5 April 1607,
By all accounts, Shah Jahan was so taken with Mumtaz that he showed little interest in exercising his
Mumtaz had a loving marriage with Shah Jahan. Even during her lifetime, poets would extol her beauty, grace, and compassion. Despite her frequent pregnancies, Mumtaz travelled with Shah Jahan's entourage throughout his earlier military campaigns and the subsequent rebellion against his father. She was his constant companion and trusted confidant, leading court historians to go to unheard lengths to document the intimate and erotic relationship the couple enjoyed. In their 19 years of marriage, they had 14 children together (eight sons and six daughters),[38] seven of whom died at birth or at a very young age.[20]
Mughal empress
Upon his accession to the throne in 1628 after subduing his half brother,
Shah Jahan consulted Mumtaz in both private matters and the affairs of the state, and she served as his close confidant and trusted adviser and because of this, she had enormous political power. Like her predecessor and aunt Nur Jahan, Mumtaz sat next to the emperor in the Hall of Private Audience and Hall of Public Audience (Dīwān-e-Khās and Dīwān-e-Ām). She hidden behind a curtain, if she did not agree with something, she would place her hand on his back, out of sight. At her intercession, he forgave enemies or commuted death sentences.[44] His trust in her was so great that he gave her the highest honour of the land – his imperial seal, the Mehr Uzaz,[45] which validated imperial decrees and nothing could be done without her consent.[46] Mumtaz was portrayed as having no aspirations to political power, in contrast to her aunt, Empress Nur Jahan, the chief consort of Emperor Jahangir, who had wielded enormous power and considerable influence in the previous reign.[47]
An uncontested and great influence on him, often intervening on behalf of the poor and destitute, she also enjoyed watching elephant and combat fights[clarification needed] performed for the court. Mumtaz also patronized a number of poets, scholars and other talented persons. A noted Sanskrit poet, Vansidhara Mishra, was the Empress's favourite.[27] On the recommendation of her principal lady-in-waiting, Sati-un-Nissa, Mumtaz Mahal provided pensions and donations to the daughters of poor scholars, theologians, and pious men.[48] It was quite common for women of noble birth to commission architecture in the Mughal Empire, so Mumtaz devoted some time to a riverside garden in Agra, which is now known as Zahara Bagh. It is the only architectural foundation that can be connected to her patronage.[49]
Death and aftermath
Mumtaz Mahal died from
Mumtaz Mahal's personal fortune (valued at 10 million rupees) was divided by Shah Jahan between Jahanara Begum, who received half, and the rest of her surviving children.[55] Burhanpur was never intended by her husband as his wife's final resting spot. As a result, her body was disinterred in December 1631 and transported in a golden casket escorted by her son Shah Shuja, the deceased empress's head lady-in-waiting, and the distinguished courtier Wazir Khan, back to Agra.[56][57] There, it was interred in a small building on the banks of the Yamuna River. Shah Jahan stayed behind in Burhanpur to conclude the military campaign that had originally brought him to the region. While there, he began planning the design and construction of a suitable mausoleum and funerary garden in Agra for his wife. It was a task that would take 22 years to complete, the Taj Mahal.[58]
Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal was commissioned by Shah Jahan to be built as a mausoleum for Mumtaz Mahal. It is seen as an embodiment of undying love and marital devotion. English poet Sir Edwin Arnold describes it as "Not a piece of architecture, as other buildings are, but the proud passion of an emperor's love wrought in living stones." The beauty of the monument is also taken as a representation of Mumtaz Mahal's beauty and this association leads many to describe the Taj Mahal as feminine.[59] Since Muslim tradition forbids elaborate decorations on graves, the bodies of Mumtaz and Shah Jahan are placed in a relatively plain crypt beneath the inner chamber with their faces turned to the right and towards Mecca.[60]
The Ninety Nine Names of God are found as calligraphic inscriptions on the sides of the tomb of Mumtaz Mahal in the crypt including, "O Noble, O Magnificent, O Majestic, O Unique, O Eternal, O Glorious...".[61] There are many theories about the origin of the name of this tomb and one of them suggests that 'Taj' is an abbreviation of the name Mumtaz. European travelers, such as François Bernier, who observed its construction, were among the first to call it the Taj Mahal. Since they are unlikely to have come up with the name, they might have picked it up from the locals of Agra who called the Empress 'Taj Mahal' and thought the tomb was named after her and the name began to be used interchangeably, but no firm evidence suggests this. Shah Jahan had not intended to entomb another person in the Taj Mahal;[62] however, Aurangzeb had Shah Jahan buried next to the tomb of Mumtaz Mahal rather than build a separate tomb for his father.[63][64] This is evident from the asymmetrical placement of Shah Jahan's grave on one side of his wife's grave which is in the centre.[65][66]
In popular culture
Astronomy
- A crater was named in her honour on asteroid 433 Eros, along with another one after her husband.[67]
- A crater on the planet Venus is named after her.
Literature
- A cat named after Mumtaz Mahal ("Princess Arjumand")[68] plays a major role in Connie Willis's 1997 novel To Say Nothing of the Dog.
- Arjumand Banu (Mumtaz Mahal) is a principal character in Indu Sundaresan's novel The Feast of Roses (2003) and its sequel, Shadow Princess (2010), begins with her death.[69]
- Mumtaz Mahal is a main character in Sonja Chandrachud's novel Trouble at the Taj (2011). She appears in the book as a ghost.[70]
- In John Shors' novel Beneath a Marble Sky (2013), Mahal's daughter, Princess Jahanara, tells the extraordinary story of how the Taj Mahal came to be, describing her own life as an agent in its creation and as a witness to the fateful events surrounding its completion.[71]
- Manahil Bandukwala's debut poetry collection Monument (2022) is a conversation with Mumtaz Mahal. It explores themes of love, monumentalisation, legacy, family, and empire.[72]
Films
- Mumtaz Mahal is a 1926 Indian silent film by Homi Master.[73]
- Actress Enakshi Rama Rau played the role of Mumtaz Mahal in Shiraz (1928).
- Mumtaz Mahal, a 1944 Indian film was based on her life.
- Actress Suraiya played the role of young Mumtaz Mahal in Nanubhai Vakil's film Taj Mahal (1941).[74]
- Mumtaz Mahal was portrayed by actress Nasreen in
- Mumtaz Mahal is a 1957 Indian Hindi-language drama film by Ram Daryani, starring Veena in the titular role.[73]
- Bina Rai portrayed Mumtaz Mahal in M. Sadiq's film Taj Mahal (1963).[76]
- Zeba played the role of Mumtaz Mahal in S. T. Zaidi's Taj Mahal (1968).
- Shahzadi Mumtaz, an Indian film starring Asokan and Shakuntala released in 1977.[73]
- Purnima Patwardhan portrayed her role in the 2003 Indian historical drama film, Taj Mahal: A Monument of Love.[77]
- Sonya Jehan portrayed Mumtaz Mahal in Akbar Khan's film Taj Mahal: An Eternal Love Story (2005).[78]
- Suhani Juneja played the role of young Arjumand Banu Begum in the second season of the popular webseries Zee5.
Other
Issue
Name | Portrait | Lifespan | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Hur-ul-Nisa Begum |
30 March 1613 – 5 June 1616 |
Died of smallpox at the age of 3.[80] | |
Jahanara Begum Padshah Begum |
23 March 1614 – 16 September 1681 |
Shah Jahan's favourite and most influential daughter. Jahanara became the First Lady (Padshah Begum) of the Mughal Empire after her mother's death, despite the fact that her father had three other consorts. She died unmarried. | |
Dara Shikoh Padshahzada-i-Buzurg Martaba, Jalal ul-Kadir, Sultan Muhammad Dara Shikoh, Shah-i-Buland Iqbal |
20 March 1615 – 30 August 1659 |
The eldest son and heir-apparent. He was favoured as a successor by his father, Shah Jahan, and his elder sister, Princess Jahanara Begum, but was defeated and later killed by his younger brother, Prince Muhiuddin (later the Emperor Aurangzeb ), in a bitter struggle for the imperial throne. He married and had issue.
| |
Shah Shuja |
23 June 1616 – 7 February 1661 |
He survived in the war of succession. He married and had issue. | |
Roshanara Begum Padshah Begum |
3 September 1617 – 11 September 1671 |
She was the most influential of Shah Jahan's daughters after Jahanara Begum and sided with Aurangzeb during the war of succession. She died unmarried. | |
Aurangzeb Mughal emperor |
3 November 1618 – 3 March 1707 |
Succeeded his father as the sixth Mughal emperor after emerging victorious in the war of succession that took place after Shah Jahan's illness in 1657. He married and had issue. | |
Izad Bakhsh |
18 December 1619 – February/March 1621[81] |
Died in infancy. | |
Surayya Banu Begum |
10 June 1621 – 28 April 1628[81] |
Died of smallpox at the age of 7.[80] | |
Unnamed son |
1622 | Died soon after birth.[81] | |
Murad Bakhsh |
8 October 1624 – 14 December 1661 |
He was executed in 1661 as per Aurangzeb's orders.[82] He married and had issue. | |
Lutf Allah |
4 November 1626 – 13 May 1628[81] |
Died at the age of one and a half years.[80] | |
Daulat Afza |
8 May 1628 – 13 May 1629[83] |
Died in infancy. | |
Husn Ara Begum |
23 April 1630 – 1631[81] |
Died in infancy. | |
Gauhar Ara Begum |
17 June 1631 – 1706 |
Mumtaz died while giving birth to her on 17 June 1631 in Burhanpur. She died unmarried. |
Ancestry
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References
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She was religiously a Shi'a Muslim.
- ^ Khan, Hamza. "Now, Shias assert claim to Taj Mahal". The Indian Express. Lucknow. Archived from the original on 3 September 2023. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
- ^ Srivastava, Piyush (27 November 2014). "Battle for Taj Mahal continues between Shia and Sunni sect leaders". India Today. Lucknow. Archived from the original on 3 September 2023. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
- ^ Shaikh, Ayesha (24 November 2014). "Who is the rightful claimant to Taj Mahal?". The Express Tribune. Archived from the original on 4 September 2023. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
- ^ DHNS (24 November 2014). "After Sunnis, now Shias too claim Taj Mahal". Deccan Herald. Archived from the original on 3 September 2023. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
- ^ Pickthall, Marmaduke William; Asad, Muhammad (1 January 1975). "Islamic Culture". 49. Islamic Culture Board: 196. Archived from the original on 30 August 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2017.
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- ^ a b Tillotson 2012, p. 20.
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- ^ Ahmad, Moin-ud-din (1924). The Taj and Its Environments: With 8 Illus. from Photos., 1 Map, and 4 Plans. R. G. Bansal. p. 101.
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- ^ a b Koch, p. 18.
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- ^ a b Tillotson 2012, p. 21.
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- ^ a b Tillotson 2012, p. 30.
- ^ Shujauddin, Mohammad; Shujauddin, Razia (1967). The Life and Times of Noor Jahan. Lahore: Caravan Book House. p. 121.
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- ^ Preston, p. 171.
- ^ a b Koch, p. 20.
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Tossie? "Then who's Princess Arjumand?" I said. "Her cat. It's named after the Indian maharani they named the Taj Mahal after, though one would think it would be called the Taj Arjumand in that case.
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{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: others (link - ^ Sunita Sharma, Veil, Sceptre and Quill: Profiles of Eminent Women, 16th–18th Centuries (2004), p. 45
- ^ Shujauddin (1967, p. 1)
- ^ Ahmad (1924, p. 101)
Bibliography
- Koch, Ebba (2006) [Aug 2006]. The Complete Taj Mahal: And the Riverfront Gardens of Agra (Hardback) (First ed.). Thames & Hudson Ltd. pp. 288 pages. ISBN 0-500-34209-1.
- Preston, Diana & Michael (2007). A Teardrop on the Cheek of Time (Hardback) (First ed.). London: Doubleday. pp. 354 pages. ISBN 978-0-385-60947-0.
- Tillotson, Giles (2008). Taj Mahal. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press. ISBN 9780674063655.
- Banks Findley, Ellison (1993). Nur Jahan: Empress of Mughal India. Oxford, UK: Nur Jahan : Empress of Mughal India. ISBN 9780195074888.