Showing posts with the label khurram
Summer 1609, Agra Fort Khurram sat reluctantly staring at his reflection in the mirror while Jagat Gossain presented him with a necklace of nine gems studded beautifully in strands of five. He stared at her beaming face as she put it around his neck, and his sisters, Sultana Begum and Izzat Un Nisa, stared at her smiling. “Do you like it, Shehzaade?” Jodha Begum’s words were met with a brief nod. She took out some kajal from her eyes and put it behind his ears. He frowned. “What was that for?” “So that nobody’s evil eyes fall on you. You look so handsome today!” Jodha Begum smiled. “And you will look smarter at the wedding. Mariam Ur Zamani is arranging for your attire herself.” “But the wedding isn’t soon!” Khurram frowned. “Oh, she doesn’t mean this wedding. She means the other one!” Sultana Begum spoke as her mother smiled with a nod. “What other wedding?” This time, Khurram stood up from his seat and faced the queen with a frown. Jagat Gossain looked taken aback. “W...
It was that very night, tired from her day-long sobbing and hungry from her intermediate fasting over the heartbreak that seemed to cause a pain otherwise unknown to her heart, that Arjumand Banu was startled by the excited voice of her mother, eagerly telling her to open her door, for some good news was to be shared. Her entire existence and purpose in life changed as her mother hugged her tight and told her that the Emperor had summoned her father to discuss their engagement. Their Engagement! She’s with Shehzaade Khurram. “But... what about his marriage?” She had asked with a frown. “That is not your concern now. We have to get everything done. Your clothes need to be made ready, befitting of being a royal princess and the jewellery...” Her mother’s eyes sparkled. “Had Phuphi lied to me?” Arjumand cut her thoughts short. “Your Phuphi doesn’t lie.” Asaf Khan entered his daughter’s bedroom. “Please, we don’t need to talk about his other wedding now!” Diwanji Begum almo...
Spring 1609, Akbarabad Fort Rukaiya Begum was leaning against the velvet cushions, eyes closed as one of her ladies in waiting massaged her head with fragrant extracted oil on a sunny afternoon, after a relaxing session at the Shahi Hamam. Mehr-Un-Nisa was sitting at her feet, reading out some new Persian poet’s work for her. A Eunuch arrived between the process and bowed, making Mehr-Un-Nisa stop at her reading and look up at him. “Mariam Ur Zamani is here to see you, my Lady!” The announcement made Rukaiya Begum open her eyes, sit up straight and dismiss the girl massaging her head. She, of course, didn’t leave before tying the Dowager Queen’s henna-dyed hair into a bun and placing the veil just as it was over it. Mehr Un Nisa quickly followed suit and gathered the books scattered around the carpet to leave. She was surprised as Rukaiya Begum told her to wait with a gesture of the hand and asked the eunuch to bring the Queen Mother in. Mariam Ur Zamani arrived clad in a creamy ...
1608, Akbarabad Fort Jodha Bai sprinkled some perfume over her long braids and wrapped a jasmine garland around them. He always loves my hair. Putting Kohl in her eyes to highlight them, she placed her mang tika straight and looked at her reflection in the mirror. The emperor had decided to spend the night with her after a long time. One of her serving girls brought her a box of beetle nuts, and she checked herself in the mirror. “You look stunning, my Begum!” Her eunuch exclaimed, making her smile. “It’s time to visit the Shahenshah; he must be waiting!” Jagat Gossain made her way through the corridors towards his room, thinking of everything she needed to speak to him about tonight. Jahangir stopped at the reflection of his favourite queen at the threshold as she bowed slightly. Immediately, the smell of Jasmine and her well-recognisable perfume filled the air in his chamber. Jahangir dismissed his servants who were helping him untie his robes with the gesture of his hand. To...
Autumn 1607. Akbarabad “Salam Shah Ammi!” Khurram’s voice at her threshold made Rukaiya Begum smile at her son, who arrived bruised and sweaty from his lessons. Alongside him came his Diwan Khwaja Waysi and bowed. “How are his lessons coming along, Khawaja Sahib?” Rukaiya Begum addressed the man who smiled. “He is ready to go to a war if you ask me, Sultana Begum!” “Very well! Inform the Padshah then.” The Khwaja agreed and left immediately. “My Shehzaade, come here.” She appeared worried as she took the watered clothes from the first aid plate and dusted the dirt off his wounds with her own hands. “I learned defence lessons today.” He smiled at her worried face “I am taking a liking to the sword lessons.” “I am glad.” Rukaiya smiled back, “I hope you are ready for Navroz too.” “Ready?” He frowned. “We celebrate Navroz every year, Shah Ammi. What’s special?” “It is your first Navroz with your father here, and the celebrations will be huge. It is the right time you make ...
Summer 1607, Akbarabad Fort The season of summer came in full splendour at the Fort of Agra, where the Royal Poinciana were in blood red bloom, the falling petals making a red carpet across the garden of the Jahangiri Mahal; the waters of the fountain were running cool, the cuckoos sang in the afternoon silence, and the tulips filled the gardens. Bulbuls sang across the palace and flew to the large shady trees that stood on the other side, towards the old Harem of the deceased emperor. It had been three years since, and a lot had changed. Agra was renamed Akbarabad by Emperor Jahangir in honour of his father, who had restored the city of Rai Pithora to its lost glory. Mariam Ur Zamani had accompanied Jodha Begum to Lahore alongside the Emperor for a short trip, leaving the reins of the Harem in the hands of Salima Begum. Jahangir, to the pleasure of Rukaiya Begum, had chosen a Persian wife this time, Sahila Banu Begum. She had all the features of her rich Persian pedigree and the w...
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Last updated: February 4, 2026.
