Shahzadi (Imperial Princess) Jahanara Begum (April 2, 1614–September 16, 1681) was the eldest daughter of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal. Shahzadi traditionally was a title given to a princess. ... The Mughal Empire, (Persian: دولتِ مغل) was an empire that at its greatest territorial extent ruled most of the Indian Subcontinent, then known as Hindustan, and parts of Afghanistan and Persia, between 1526 and 1707. ... Princess is the feminine form of prince (Latin princeps, meaning principal citizen). ... April 2 is the 92nd day of the year (93rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 273 days remaining. ... Events April 5 - In Virginia, Native American Pocahontas marries English colonist John Rolfe. ... September 16 is the 259th day of the year (260th in leap years). ... Events March 4 - Charles II of England grants a land charter to William Penn for the area that will later become Pennsylvania. ... Shahbuddin Mohammed Shah Jahan (also spelled Shah Jehan, Shahjehan. ... Mumtaz Mahal Mumtaz Mahal (Persian: ممتاز محل, meaning beloved ornament of the palace; pronunciation //) is the common nickname of Arjumand Banu Begum, who was born April 1593 in Agra, India. ...

Influence at Court

Jahanara was the most beloved daughter of Shah Jahan; she took the place of her mother Mumtaz Mahal after her death as first lady in the country. Though she was only seventeen, she brought her father out of mourning and restored normality to a court darkened by her mother's death and her father's grief. Her father frequently took her advice and gave her fortune and power. Jahanara demonstrated her important role within the politics of the empire by bringing the Emperor and the court back to the normality it enjoyed before the death of Empress. Shah Jahan's fondness for his daughter was reflected in the multiple titles he bestowed upon her, which include Sahibat al-Zamani, Mistress of the Age, and Padshah Begum, or Lady Emperor; Jahanara was known to members of the Moghul court as Begum Sahib. Begum Sahib means 'Princess of Princesses'. When her brother,Aurangzeb, became emperor, he gave her the title,'Empress of Princesses'. Being the emperor of princesses, she had the right to occasionally disobey Aurangzeb - something which generally resulted in the death of anyone doing so - and have certain rights other women did not have. Jahanaras sister, who was reportedly very jealous, asked Aurangzeb if he could give her the those right but he said no because he needed her to assist in the care of his children (4 girls,6 boys). The Mughal Empire (alternative spelling Mogul, which is the origin of the word Mogul) of India was founded by Babur in 1526, when he defeated Ibrahim Lodi, the last of the Delhi Sultans at the First Battle of Panipat. ...

Relations with Family

Jahanara's power at court was unquestioned, and had her brother Dara Shikoh, whom she favored for ascension after their father, triumphed, her power would likely have continued. Historians report a deep love and genuine liking between the two, unlike the cool politeness that existed between Aurangzeb and herself. Legend says that once when Aurangzeb was severely sick, Jahanara took care of him. When he asked her whether or not she would support him for the throne and she said that he would not be emperor, Aurangzeb got very angry at her, which is probably why they never got along. There is record of tensions with her sister Roshanara Begum who replaced her as head of the harem after Shah Jahan was deposed. Dara Shikoh (1615–1659) was the eldest son of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan and his wife Mumtaz Mahal. ... Aurangzeb (from Persian, اورنگ‌زیب Aurang means throne and Zaib meant beauty or ornament),(November 3, 1618 – March 3, 1707, also known as Alamgir I, was the ruler of the Mughal Empire from 1658 until 1707. ... Roshanara Begum was the younger daughter of the Mughal Ruler Shah Jahan (real name Khurram). ...

She was instrumental in creating marital alliances. She saw to the betrothal of her brother, Dara Shikoh, to a begum, Nadira Banu, and planned out the wedding.

Accident

While attending a garden party in 1644, Jahanara's clothing caught fire. She became seriously sick and Shah Jahan himself nursed his beloved daughter back to health, which took many weeks. // Events February to August - Explorer Abel Tasmans second expedition for the Dutch East India Company maps the north coast of Australia. ...

Struggle for Power and Exile

Jahanara took the side of Dara Shikoh in the struggle for the throne, when Shah Jahan was very ill. Dara had promised her to lift the ban on marriage for Moghul princesses, which Akbar had introduced. On Aurangzeb's usurpation of the throne, Jahanara joined her father in imprisonment at the Agra Fort. She was devoted in her care of her father, and took sole care of him until his death. Jalaluddin Muhammad Akbar (Persian: جلال الدین محمد اکبر), (alternative spellings include Jellaladin, Celalettin) also known as Akbar the Great (Akbār-e-Azam) (October 15, 1542 – October 27, 1605) was the son of Humayun whom he succeeded to become ruler of the Mughal Empire from 1556 until 1605. ... Aurangzeb (from Persian, اورنگ‌زیب Aurang means throne and Zaib meant beauty or ornament),(November 3, 1618 – March 3, 1707, also known as Alamgir I, was the ruler of the Mughal Empire from 1658 until 1707. ... For other uses, see Agra (disambiguation). ...

Charitable Works

Jahanara was known for her active part in looking after the poor, gave lot of money for building of mosques and gardens, and was a poet of some repute herself. 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 most well known monument is Chandni Chowk, the central bazaar. A mosque is a place of worship for followers of the Islamic faith. ... Shahjahanabad was a city on the present site of Dehli, India, established by Shah Jahan from 1638 to 1649, containing the Lal Qila and the Chandni Chowk. ... // Events June 23 - Claimant King Charles II of England, Scotland and Ireland arrives in Scotland, the only of the three Kingdoms that has accepted him as ruler. ... Chandni Chowk ,New Delhi Chandni Chowk is one of the oldest and busiest markets in central north Delhi, India. ... The Grand Timcheh of Qoms Bazaar. ...

Jahanara's tomb in the Nizammuddin complex in New Delhi is remarkable for its simplicity. The Humayuns Tomb, situated in New Delhi, has an architectural design similar to the Taj Mahal. ...