New Delhi: Unlike popular perception, there were many fierce women in the history of the Mughal Empire and Jahanara Begum was one of them. She was Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan and his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal’s second and eldest surviving child. She was an extremely competent woman who was respected by her brother Aurangzeb and she was also the one who devoted a part of her life to take care of Shah Jahan when he was kept in captivity by his son and successor.
The life and powers of Jahanara, Shah Jahan’s favourite daughter
Born on March 23, 1614, Jahanara received an excellent education during her childhood and was taught about the politics of the empire and its administration. She oversaw domestic and international trade and also mediated with courtiers and foreigners to communicate with the emperor. Also, she played a key role in resolving family disputes. After Mumtaz died in 1631, a 17-year-old Jahanara became the First Lady of the Empire and began to look after her younger brothers and sisters and also her father.
Even Shah Jahan sought her advice regarding the administration and gave her the charge of the Imperial Seal. She could issue farmans and also attended councils and discussed governance. The nobles and the foreign ambassadors sought her intervention before meeting the emperor.
In 1644, Aurangzeb angered his father Shah Jahan and Jahanara had to intervene on her brother’s behalf and to subdue their father’s anger. She even had her own palace and her own court and also went on self-solicited trips away from the capital. During the War of Succession, she supported her brother Dara Shikoh, Shah Jahan’s eldest son. She urged Aurangzeb not to disobey his father albeit unsuccessfully. After Aurangzeb became the empire, she joined her father in imprisonment at the Agra Fort and cared for him till his death in 1666. After Shah Jahan’s death, she and Aurangzeb reconciled.
During the reign of Aurangzeb, Jahanara Begum got back all her former titles and even more and became the most powerful woman in the Empire. She was so powerful that she even argued with Aurangzeb occasionally on various policies and influenced several important matters. She retained her own palace and had the power to issue Hukm or Farman (an imperial order), attended the council and received audiences in her palace. She was also known for her charity. She passed away on September 16, 1681, at the age of 67.
Even Shah Jahan sought Jahanara’s advice regarding the administration and gave her the charge of the Imperial Seal. She could issue farmans and also attended councils and discussed governance. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
