Mumtaz Mahal

Mumtaz Mahal
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Name	Mumtaz Mahal
Spouse	Shah Jahan
Issue	Jahanara Begum, Dara Shikoh, Shah Shuja, Roshanara Begum, Aurangzeb, Murad Bakhsh, Gauhara Begum
Father	Abul-Hasan Asaf Khan
Mother	Diwani Begum

Mumtaz Mahal was a Mughal empress and the wife of Shah Jahan, the fifth Mughal emperor. She was a member of the Timurid dynasty and was known for her beauty and her influence on the Mughal Empire. Shah Jahan was deeply in love with her and she was his constant companion, often accompanying him on his military campaigns, including the Deccan Plateau and Bengal. Her death in 1631 had a profound impact on Shah Jahan, who was devastated by her loss and went on to build the Taj Mahal in her memory, with the help of Ustad Ahmad Lahori and Isa Muhammad Effendi.

Early Life and Marriage

Mumtaz Mahal was born in 1593 to Abul-Hasan Asaf Khan, a Persian noble and a high-ranking official in the Mughal Empire, and his wife Diwani Begum. She was a member of the Timurid dynasty and was related to the Mughal emperor Jahangir. In 1612, she married Shah Jahan, who was then a prince, at the Red Fort in Agra. The marriage was arranged by Jahangir and was seen as a way to strengthen the ties between the Mughal Empire and the Safavid dynasty of Persia. Shah Jahan was deeply in love with her and she became his constant companion, often accompanying him on his military campaigns, including the Battle of Karnal and the Siege of Orchha.

Career and Influence

Mumtaz Mahal was a highly influential figure in the Mughal Empire and played an important role in the court of Shah Jahan. She was known for her beauty, intelligence, and strong will, and was often consulted by Shah Jahan on matters of state, including the Treaty of Serav and the War of the Mughal Succession. She was also a patron of the arts and architecture, and was involved in the construction of several buildings, including the Lahore Fort and the Shalimar Gardens. Her influence extended beyond the Mughal Empire and she was respected by other rulers, including the Safavid shah Abbas I of Persia and the Ottoman sultan Murad IV.

Death and Legacy

Mumtaz Mahal died in 1631 during the birth of her 14th child, Gauhara Begum, in Burhanpur. Her death was a devastating blow to Shah Jahan, who was deeply in love with her and was unable to cope with her loss. He went into a period of mourning, which lasted for two years, and was only able to come to terms with her death after building the Taj Mahal in her memory. The Taj Mahal is considered one of the most beautiful buildings in the world and is a testament to the love of Shah Jahan for Mumtaz Mahal. It was built with the help of Ustad Ahmad Lahori and Isa Muhammad Effendi and took over 22 years to complete, with the involvement of thousands of workers, including Hindu and Muslim artisans from Delhi, Agra, and Lahore.

Architecture and Commemoration

The Taj Mahal is a stunning example of Mughal architecture and is considered one of the most beautiful buildings in the world. It was built using white Makrana marble and features intricate Pietra dura work, with designs inspired by Persian, Indian, and Islamic art. The building is surrounded by beautiful gardens, which were designed by Ali Mardan Khan and feature a large reflecting pool, walking paths, and ornamental trees, including cypress and palm trees. The Taj Mahal has become a symbol of love and is visited by millions of people each year, including tourists from Europe, America, and Asia. It has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World, along with the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Great Wall of China, and the Machu Picchu.

Personal Life and Family

Mumtaz Mahal was a member of the Timurid dynasty and was related to several other notable figures, including Babur, Humayun, and Akbar the Great. She was married to Shah Jahan and had 14 children with him, including Jahanara Begum, Dara Shikoh, Shah Shuja, Roshanara Begum, Aurangzeb, Murad Bakhsh, and Gauhara Begum. Her children went on to play important roles in the Mughal Empire, with Aurangzeb becoming the sixth Mughal emperor and Jahanara Begum becoming a prominent figure in the court of Shah Jahan. Mumtaz Mahal was also a patron of the arts and was known for her love of Persian poetry and Indian music, with her favorite poets including Rumi and Hafez. Her legacy continues to be felt today, with the Taj Mahal remaining one of the most famous buildings in the world, and her story inspiring countless works of art, literature, and film, including the Bollywood film Mughal-e-Azam and the Hollywood film Jodhaa Akbar. Category: Mughal Empire