Jahanara Begum
From Freepedia
Shahzadi (Imperial Princess) Jahanara Begum (April 2 1614–September 16 1681) was the eldest daughter of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal.
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Influence at Court
Jahanara was the most beloved daughter of Shah Jahan; she took the place of her mother Mumtaz Mahal after her death as first lady in the country. Though she was only seventeen, she brought her father out of mourning and restored normality to a court darkened by her mother's death and her father's grief. Her father took frequently her advice and gave her fortune and power. Jahanara demonstrated her important role within the politics of the empire by bringing the Emperor and the court back to the normality it enjoyed before the death of Empress. Shah Jahan's fondness for his daughter was reflected in the multiple titles he bestowed upon her, which include Sahibat al-Zamani, Mistress of the Age, and Padshah Begum, or Lady Emperor; Jahanara was known to members of the Moghul court as Begum Sahib.
Relations with Family
Jahanara's power at court was unquestioned, and had her brother Dara Shikoh, whom she favored for ascension after their father, triumphed, her power would likely have continued. Historians report a deep love and genuine liking between the two, unlike the cool politeness that existed between Aurangzeb and herself. Certain historians have also suggested an incestuous relationship between her father and her. There is record of tensions with her sister Roshanara Begum who replaced her as head of the harem after Shah Jahan was deposed.
She was instrumental in creating marital alliances. She saw to the betrothal of her brother, Dara Shikoh, to a begum, Nadira Banu, and planned out the wedding.
Accident
While attending a garden party in 1644, Jahanara's heavily perfumed [kameez]], trousers, and pairhan, robes, caught fire. She became seriously sick and Jahan himself nursed his beloved daughter back to health, which took many weeks.
Struggle for Power and Exile
Jahanara took the side of Dara Shikoh in the struggle for the throne, when Shah Jahan was very ill. Dara had promised her to lift the ban on marriage for Moghul princesses, which Akbar had introduced. On Aurangzeb's usurpation of the throne, Jahanara joined her father in imprisonment at the Agra Fort. She was devoted in her care of her father, and took sole care of him until his death.
Charitable Works
Jahanara was known for her active part in looking after the poor, gave lot of money for building of moshee and gardens, and was a poet of some repute herself. She also made a significant impact on the landscape of the capital city of Shahjahanabad. Of the eighteen buildings in the city of Shahjahanabad commissioned by women, Jahanara commissioned five of them. All of Jahanara's building projects were completed around the year 1650 inside the city walls of Shahjahanabad. The most well known monument is Chandni Chowk, the central bazaar.
Jahanara's tomb in the Nizammuddin complex in New Delhi is remarkable for its simplicity.
External Links
- Profile [[1]]
