Mumtaz Mahal History

Mumtaz Mahal Shah Jahan Spouse

Mumtaz Mahal was born on 27 April 1593 AD in a Persian Noble family. Her father, Abdul Hasan Asaf Khan, a nobleman, worked as a high officer in the Mughal Empire. Her real name was Arjumand Banu Begum, and Nur Jahan, the wife of Mughal Emperor Jahangir, was her aunt. The Taj Mahal was constructed in the name of Mumtaz Mahal. She married Prince Shah Jahan at the age of 19. Later in the marriage, the Prince conferred the title ‘Mumtaz Mahal’ upon her. She was the second wife and bore her husband with fourteen children. She gave birth to the crown prince Dara Shikoh and Aurangzeb, the successor to Shah Jahan and the sixth Mughal Emperor.

Mumtaz was a brilliant learner and had very talent for learning new things. She had a command of Persian and Arabic languages and composed many poems in those languages. She was straightforward and moved modestly towards the elders. In the teenage, it attracted many Nobles and princes. Jahangir heard of her beauty and wanted to make marriage her to Shah Jahan. However, Shah Jahan and Mumtaz came together in their teenage. She finally celebrated the wedding on April 1612 AD. It was the third marriage to Shah Jahan, even though Shahjahan spent most of his time with his third wife and showed little interest in the first two wives.

Mumtaz Mahal Love story

In 1628 AD, Mumtaz’s husband, Shahjahan, became the Emperor of the Mughal Empire. He designated her as the chief consort and gave them the titles of ‘Malika-i-Jahan, which means Lady of the world, and’ Malika-uz-Zamani, ‘Lady of the age’. The queen’s residence was a beautiful palace decorated with gold and precious stones and installed rose water fountains. Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal spent most of their time at the place. Every month the Emperor gave a regular monthly allowance but paid the highest budget of 10 lakh rupees per year to Mumtaz Mahal in those days.

His remaining wives paid allowance very little compared to Mumtaz Mahal. Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal travelled all over Mughal Empire and gave the highest honour by providing the imperial seal. But She had not interested in political affairs as Nurzahan. Mumtaz was fond of writing poetry, so they patronized several poets and writers. She had also helped the family members of poor scholars, poets and pious men. Mahal was interested in watching army performances for the court. She spent most of her time on the banks of the river Yamuna and contributed to constructing a beautiful architecture known as Zahara Bagh. We can see it till now. It was the only construction completed by her.

Death:

The queen travelled with Shah Jahan, even when pregnant. She also toured in military campaigns, even in rebellion attacks. She had also accompanied Shah Jahan while fighting in Deccan Plateau. On 17 June 1631 AD, at age 38, she died while giving birth to her 14th child. So her body was temporarily buried at Burhanpur in a garden on the banks of the Tapti River. Then Mumtaz’s husband, Shahjahan, felt deep sorrow and took a long time to come out from his lamentation. Later the Emperor planned to construct the Taj Mahal in memory of his wife. The Taj construction took 22 years after the body was buried inside of Tajmahal, a magnificent white marble construction.