Jahanara Begum Sahib

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Shahzadi (Imperial Princess) Jahanara Begum Sahib (Urdu: شاهزادی جہاں آرا بیگم صاحب ) (April 2, 1614–September 16, 1681) was the eldest daughter of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal.[1]

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[edit] Influence at Court

Upon the death of Mumtaz Mahal in 1631 (even though she was only seventeen) Jahanara took the place of her mother as first lady in the country, despite her father having two other wives.[2] As well as caring for her younger brothers and sisters, she is also also credited with bringing her father out of mourning and restoring normality to a court darkened by her mother's death and her father's grief. One of her tasks after the death of her mother was to oversee the betrothal and wedding of her brother, Dara Shikoh, to a begum, Nadira Banu which had been originally planned by Mumtaz Mahal but postponed by her death.

Mumtaz Mahal's personel fortune valued at 10,000,000 rupees was divided by Shah Jahan between Jahanara Begum, who received half and the rest of her surviving children.[3]

Her father frequently took her advice and entrusted her with charge of the imperial seal. Shah Jahan's fondness for his daughter was reflected in the multiple titles he bestowed upon her, which include Sahibat al-Zamani (Lady of the Age) and Padishah Begum (Lady Emperor) or Begum Sahib (Princess of Princesses).

Her power was such that compared with other royal princesses she was allowed to live in her own palace, outside the confines of the Agra Fort.[4]

[edit] Accident

On the night of the 4 April1644[5] while she was heading towards her sleeping quarters her dress brushed against a lamp left burning on the floor. Her garment caught fire and she was enveloped in flames. Two of the attendants who had tried to help Jahanara died of their burns. Her injuries were such that it was not until late in 1644 that she was deemed to be out of danger and an 8 day festival of thanks celebrated.[6] With the assistance of numerous physicans Shah Jahan himself nursed her back to health.

After her recovery Shah Jahan gifted her rare gems and jewellery and bestowed upon get her the revenues of the port of Surat.]][7]

[edit] Relations with Family

Historians report a deep love and genuine liking between Jahanara and her brother Dara Shikoh, unlike the cool politeness that existed between Aurangzeb and herself. Legend says that once when Aurangzeb was severely sick, Jahanara took care of him. later when he asked her whether or not she would support him for the throne and she said that he would not be emperor, Aurangzeb became very angry at her, which is probably why they never got along. Though it should be noted that when she was severely burnt in 1644 and her life in danger Aurangzeb hurried from the Deccan to her bedside. When Aurangzeb fell out of favour with his father during the time of Jahanara's convalescence she is credited with using the celebrations of her recovery to encourage her father to restore Aurangzeb to his former positions.

There is record of tensions with her sister Roshanara Begum, three years her junior who resented her elder sister's position as first lady of the empire.[8]

[edit] Struggle for Power

Jahanara took the side of Dara Shikoh in the struggle for the throne. Dara had promised her to lift the ban on marriage for Moghul princesses, which Akbar had introduced. Had he triumphed, her power would likely have continued.

[edit] Care of her father

On Aurangzeb's usurpation of the throne, Jahanara joined her father in imprisonment at the Agra Fort where she devoted herself to his care until his death.

[edit] Relations with Aurangzeb

After the death of their father Jahanara and Aurangzeb were reconciled. He gave her the title, 'Empress of Princesses' and she replaced Roshanara as first lady.[9] Jahanara's sister Roshanara Begum was reportedly very jealous of her sisters return to power. Jahanara was soon secure enough in her position to occasionally argue with Aurangzeb - something which generally resulted in the death of anyone doing so - and have certain rights other women did not have.

She argued against Aurangzeb's strict regulation of public life in accordance with his conservative religious beliefs and his decision in 1679 to restore the poll tax on non-Muslims, which she said would alienate his Hindu subjects.

[edit] Burial

Upon her death Aurangzeb gave her the posthumous title 'Sahibat-uz-Zamani' ('Mistress of the Age').[10] Jahanara is buried in a tomb in the Nizammuddin complex in New Delhi which is remarkable for its simplicity. The inscription on the tomb reads is as following:

He is the Living, the Sustaining.
Let no one cover my grave except with greenery,
for this very grass suffices as a tomb cover for the poor.
The annihilated faqir Lady Jahanara,
Disciple of the lords of Chisht,
Daughter of Shah Jahan the Warrior
(may God illuminate his proof).

[edit] Personnal Attributes

No formally attributed likeness of her is known to exist.[11] She was highly educated and well versed in Persian and Arabic,[12] as well as a poet of some repute. Together with her brother Dara Shikoh she was a devotee of the Sufi Mullah Shah. [13]

[edit] Charitable Works

Jahanara was known for her active part in looking after the poor and financing the building of mosques and gardens. In Agra she is best known for sponsoring the building of the Jami Masjid in 1648 in the heart of the old city.

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 best known of her projects is Chandni Chowk, the central bazaar.

[edit] Other

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Jahanara Begum (1613-1683)
  2. ^ Preston, page 176.
  3. ^ Preston, page 175.
  4. ^ Preston, page 235.
  5. ^ Preston, page 234.
  6. ^ Preston, page 234.
  7. ^ Preston, page 235.
  8. ^ Preston, page 266.
  9. ^ Preston, page 285.
  10. ^ Preston, page 286.
  11. ^ Preston, page 232.
  12. ^ Preston, page 232.
  13. ^ Preston, page 232.

[edit] Literature

  • Eraly, Abraham [2004]. The Mughal Throne (paperback), First (in English), London: Phoenix, 555 pages. ISBN-13 978-0-7538-1758-2. 
  • Preston, Diana & Michael [2007]. A Teardrop on the Cheek of Time (Hardback), First (in English), London: Doubleday, 354 pages. ISBN 9780385609470.