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| The TAAJ |
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Arjumand Banu Begum, popularly known
as Mumtāz Mahal (April, 1593 - 17 June 1631) meaning "beloved ornament
of the palace" was an Empress of India during the Mughal Dynasty. Her
father was the brother of Empress Nur Jehan (who subsequently became the
wife of the emperor Jahangir). She was religiously a Shi'a Muslim.
Betrothed to Prince Khurram in 1607 AD at the
age of 14 years, she was married five years later on 10 May 1612, a
date selected by the court astrologers as most conducive to ensuring a
happy marriage to Prince Khurram, who later ascended the Peacock Throne
of India as the fifth Mughal Emperor and populary known as Shah Jahan
I. She was his third wife, and became his favorite.
After their wedding celebrations, Khurram
"finding her in appearance and character elect among all the women of
the time", gave her the title 'Mumtaz Mahal' Begum (Chosen One of the
Palace). The intervening years had seen Khurrum take two other wives.
Mumtaz Mahal had a very deep and loving
marriage with Shah Jahan. Even during her lifetime, poets would extol
her beauty, gracefulness and compassion. Mumtaz Mahal was Shah Jahan's
trusted companion, travelling with him all over the Mughal Empire.
His trust in
her was so great that he even gave her his imperial seal, the Muhr
Uzah. Mumtaz was portrayed as the perfect wife with no aspirations to
political power .
She also enjoyed watching elephant and combat
fights performed for the court. It was quite common for women of noble
birth to commission architecture in the Mughal Empire. Mumtaz devoted
some time to a riverside garden in Agra and it may have been her
affection for this garden that prompted the eventual form of her
monument.
