Written by: Mahnoor Fatima
Posted on: March 18, 2020 | 
| 中文
A Portrait of Shah Jehan and Mumtaz Mahal as Equals
Historical records show that Mughal kings were deeply invested in promoting female literacy, with free education and freedom of education prevalent in the land. Some women opted for religious education, while others became teachers, poets and authors to cultivate arts and culture. But it was the royal Mughal women who were the epitome of knowledge and culture. Though skilled in an array of subjects and expertise, each woman is revered for her unique character and unmatchable intellect.
Featured below is a list of powerful Mughal Women of different historical eras, who used their privilege, upbringing and vast knowledge to leave a significant impact on the history of the empire:
Gulbadan Bano Begum (1523-1603) was the daughter of Emperor Babur, the first of the Mughal Kings. Although she is one of the lesser-known women in popular Mughal history, she is still remembered as a poet and historical writer of the highest caliber. She was observed to have an enviable library collection, and was fluent in both Turkish and Persian.
Gulbadan Bano (center)
Gulbadan Begum was ordered to write the history of her half-brother Humayun by her nephew and then-king, Akbar. She wrote Humayunnama from memory, in straightforward but rich sentences, not unlike today’s best novels. Not only was she one of the first figures to depict a more holistic, complex image of the royal family as individuals, she also wrote about the harem culture of the time. This was a big departure from male records which focused on wars and political alliances, to reveal the multifaceted, hierarchical life of a Mughal woman. Although some chapters were lost in time, the rest of the manuscript was found and translated in 1898. To this day, Humayunnama remains the only surviving historical record written by a woman about the 16th Century Mughal India.
Perhaps the most famous Mughal queen, Nur Jahan (1577-1645) was Jahangir’s wife, equal, and co-sovereign. Much work has been done on Nur Jahan’s life, her ascent to power from humble origins, her policies, and strong marriage. And Jahangir was not only besotted by her, but also deeply respected her ambition and it was a relationship of equality. She was the first queen to have coinage with her name engraved, and she began support programs for the disadvantaged in the empire. She famously signed her decrees with ‘Nur Jehan Padshah Begum’ or Nur Jehan, Lady Emperor.
With her sharp intelligence, wit, charisma, temper, and practical sense, she ruled the empire at the height of its glory, without producing an heir for Jahangir. Also, she defied traditional norms by partaking in hobbies that were traditionally considered a male preserve, like hunting and architecture. Courtiers were shocked that Nur Jehan would sit in the imperial jhokra (balcony), space hitherto reserved for men of power. But while she was on par with men of power and intellect, she also remained a very feminine figure in texts. She possessed a rich command of poetry, textiles, and a sense of fashion and dressing that introduced a whole era of glitter and glamour in court.
Noor Jehan Playing Polo with Other Women
Although she is remembered as the muse behind the iconic Taj Mahal, during her life Mumtaz Mahal (1593-1631) was revered for her knowledge and agreeable temperament. Like her aunt Nur Jahan’s marriage to Jahangir, hers and Shah Jahan’s relationship was one of genuine love and companionship, during a time when marriages were made for alliances and convenience. She regularly accompanied Shah Jahan on his military and diplomatic campaigns, and in turn, she received a royal seal and highest honor in the empire, the Mehr Uzaz.
Mumtaz Mahal
Although she did not play as prominent a role in government as did Nur Jahan, she was seen as an unofficial advisor in court, and had her own independent humanitarian programs. In particular, she extended financial support to economically disadvantaged teachers of madrassas, and girls from needy families. She also had command over the Persian language, and authored many poems.
Jahanara Begum (1614-1681) was the eldest child of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal and a dedicated Sufi scholar. Jahanara was her father’s favorite, and was taught statesmanship from an early age. At age 17, Jahanara took the responsibility of her mother’s duties in court and the household. Records of her life showed that she was a refined and generous woman, not one for pomp and circumstance. She was close to her brother Dara Shikoh, as the two shared a mutual love of poetry, painting, literature and Sufism. And when Aurangzeb imprisoned his ailing father Shah Jahan, Jahanara stayed by her father’s side in the final moments of his life.
Jahanara Begum with the Ailing Shah Jehan
Her magnum opus is the two-part biographies of Sufi Saints Moinuddin Chishti of the Chishtiya order, and Mullah Shah. She actively participated in Sufism by extending her patronage to Sufi rituals, texts, and architecture, and encouraged women to engage in religious thought. Her book on her personal spiritual journey asked readers to “bear witness to the profundity of her faith and mystical understanding.”
There are other such fine examples of women in Mughal India who were learned, cultured and were expected to contribute to the functioning of the Mughal Empire. Although these women belong to one family, they were highly evolved individuals both intellectually and culturally, which has allowed them to be remembered as more than their spouses’ wives and daughters. Their decisions, texts and patronage have allowed Mughal history to remain accessible for the coming generations.
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