Jahanzeb Banu Begum

Jahanzeb Banu Begum

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Jahanzeb Banu Begum Profile

  • Name:
  • Jahanzeb Banu Begum
  • Father:
  • Dara Shikoh
  • Mother:
  • Nadira Banu
  • Spouse:
  • Azam Shah

Jahanzeb Banu Begum Biography

Jahanzeb Banu Begum was a princess belonging to Mughal Empire. She was the daughter of Prince Dara Shikoh and his only wife, Nadira Banu (granddaughter of Emperor Jahangir). Shah Jahan and Mumtaz were her paternal grandparents and her father Dara Shikoh was their first son who was announced by Emperor Shah Jahan as his apparent heir, though he had to loss both his kingdom and life to his younger brother Aurangzeb. Jahanzeb was later married to Aurangazeb’s son and apparent heir Azam Shah and remained as Aurangzeb’s favourite daughter-in-law. Affectionately known as Jani Begum, this pious lady was a brave warrior and she showed her brilliance in household and politics as well. She is always regarded as one among the greatest ladies of Mughal Empire.

 

Jahanzeb was born to Crown Prince Dara Shikoh – son of Shah Jahan and Nadira Banu Begum, daughter of Sultan Parvez Mirza - second son of Emperor Jahangir. She had 7 siblings of whom only 3 survived – one sister and two brothers. Her father Dara Shikoh’s misfortune had spilled over her fate. Her father was killed by her uncle and her mother died of dysentery a couple of months before. Thus she was an orphan who was took care off by Roshan Ara, Aurangzeb’s favourite sister. Young Babu was ill-treated by her aunt. Meanwhile Aurangzeb’s elder sister asked the emperor to let her take charge of the child and Aurangzeb couldn’t turn down his sister’s request. Thus under her tutelage, Jahanzeb grew up to be a remarkably beautiful and cultured princess.

 

Later her marriage with Aurangzeb’s son and apparent heir Azam Shah was conducted in a grand fashion. Jahan Ara gave her all personal belongings and jewellery to Babu. She played multifacetted roles in her husband’s household. Jani was a sweet girl and even Aurangzeb loved her. She gave birth to Azam’s eldest son on 4 August, 1670, who was named ‘Bidar Bakht’ by Aurangzeb. She used to accompany her husband in battle field also.

 

After Aurangzeb’s death Azam became the next Emperor, succeeding the throne on March 14, 1707. But the kingdom was lost to Prince Muhammad Mu’azzam aka Bahadur Shah I, barely three months later. She died in 1705 owing to an abscess in the right breast. She refused to seek help from an expert lady surgeon as she drinks wine and she eventually died in great pain after 2 years.

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Updated: July 21, 2014

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