Showing posts with the label Jahanara Begum Sahiba
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This Short Story is a collaboration of Kathaavali and Raabta, on the occasion of the Birth Anniversary of our favourite princess, our beloved Janni, better known to you as Shehzaadi Jahanara Begum Sahiba, daughter of Shah Jahan. This story is historical fiction and our own imagination of the royal princess and Padshah Begum and her great vision in building what is famously called Chandni Chowk, which defines Delhi even today. On one fine morning, when the Diwan-e-Khas was sprawling with courtiers, an astonishing Firman echoed across the fort of Akbarabad. The Emperor of the World had decided to move his capital city from the roots of his grandfather and establish a new place, which would become the beacon of his grandeur- Shahjahanabad. It would be a marble city that would glitter in art, in music, and would bask in his glory. While a section of the incessant murmur sounded displeased at the Emperor’s vanity to name the capital after himself, like his grandfather did, others were ela...
“They alone become immortal who choose the pen over the sword, They alone are treated as humans, of flesh, blood and soul, Who leaves behind Memoirs of Emotions, than Monuments of Dust.” Kashmir, the valley that was called Paradise on Earth, was a sight to remember. Her dark brown eyes spotted two swans frolicking in the waters of the lake in the distance while the wind blew over it gently. For the first time away from the clatter and noise of the camps and castles, she heard the trees whisper to each other. They made music. In her mind’s eye, she could visualise it all. Her grandfather was accompanied by the Empress in a boat, enjoying the serenity of the place. She had often heard her father complain bitterly to her mother about how the Emperor was being lured away from power by his queen, and he was completely attracted by the ways of religion and saintly ways, once, during his visit to the valleys. She stared at the distant mountains, blue hues merging into the sky ab...
March 16 5 8, Agra " In bloodshed and hatred, In battles and bravery, Tears of love, years of hope, All was lost." Months passed by as Shah Jahan grew sicker than before. His mind was disturbed by the constant move of his sons and the talk of their alliances against Dara. He had crowned Dara the heir. Jahanara had backed his decision. Now he feared for his most loved son’s life. “Janni.” He had feebly extended his hand to her as she entered the Khas Mahal. “My child” “Yes, Father.” Jahanara stared at the empty eyes of the Emperor that lacked spark. “How long has it been since your mother left us?” He asked, staring at the Taj in the distance. “Father…” “Tell me, Janni.” “It’s been twenty-six years, that she…” “She was my will to live, Janni. I see Dara finding that will in Nadira. After her death, I didn’t rule well, did I?” He stared at his favourite child. Jahanara’s jaws stiffened. “You were a father like a king… You are…” She stopped at hi...
2nd June 1634, Burhanpur. " My heart is an endowment of my beloved, the devotee and lover of his sacred shrine, a soul that enchants mine." The Raja of Bundi had arrived at Burhanpur after a win in the war of Paranda. He had met the crown prince Dara and was honoured with a sword and elephant before he came to pay his respect to the Padishah Begum as per the norms of the court. Jahanara was writing in her room. Her maid came with the news, “Begum Sahib, the Raja of Bundi has arrived at court; he is at the Bagh to pay you his respect.” “Tell him to sit in the courtyard of my bagh, I will be there.” She had risen from her place, covered her face in the veil of her dupatta and walked to the place where he waited. “ Begum Sahib," he had acknowledged her presence with a salutation. She returned the bow with a nod. She was sitting inside the arch while he was on the other side of the Purdah, the sun shining over his head as he took his seat on the velvet carpet th...
“She who once dreamt of heaven had to live in hell, and find peace in God.” Such can be a description if we look at Jahanara Begum’s life. Born in 1614 at Ajmeri Fort, and living there till the birth of Dara Shikoh, when she was just one and a half, she travelled with her parents through the Empire, living in tents while her father, Shehzada Khurram, fought wars. Jahanara, the Queen of the universe , named by Jahangir, was her mother's strength and father's pride. She took care of her siblings while her mother gave birth to fourteen children, some stillborn, some dying, in her nineteen years of marriage. While the sons stayed at Jehangir’s court, from a very tender age, she became her parents’ favourite child. She was back in Ajmer at the age of seven. That was the first time the Ajmer Sharif, Saint Salim Chishti and Emperor Akbar’s tales enchanted her. The fair, young, and innocent princess spends her days reading, her hair as dark as the night sky, and her eyes blackis...
Note to the readers: Women behind men in history fascinate me. I had been reading about the mothers and wives who changed men’s fortunes. But what about daughters and sisters? A few months back, I was looking for books on Mughal Ladies, mainly Noor Jahan and her work. In the bibliography credits, I had chanced upon “The Life of A Mogul Princess” By Jahanara Begum, the daughter of Shah Jahan. I had no idea about the book and thought it was another autobiography. Previously, I had read only about how she was imprisoned along with her father at Agra, and her involvement with Dara Shikoh, her younger brother, in connecting the two realms of Hinduism and Islamism and the establishment of Sufism. All of these and the chronological events of history can be found in various books. As I read each page of her diary, cross-checking each point with Jagunath Sircar’s “History of Aurangzib” and R.C. Majumder’s “Mughal Empire” as well as numerous other sources on the Mughal Harem, I discovered ...
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Last updated: February 4, 2026.
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