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Mughal Empress Mumtaz Mahal was the beautiful empress of the Taj Mahal. Her real name was Arjumand Bano Begum. She was entitled Mumtaz Mahal by her beloved Emperor Shah Jahan. She was the queen for whom the Taj Mahal was built. The Taj Mahal tour is incomplete unless we know more about this empress.
Birth: 6th April, 1593 A.D.
Marriage: 10th May, 1612 A.D.
Death: 17th June, 1631 A.D.
Family of Mumtaz Mahal: Arjumand Bano Begum was born on 6th April, 1593 A.D in Agra. She was the daughter of a Persian noble named Abdul Hasan Asaf Khan who was the brother of Noor Jahan, the wife of Emperor Jahangir. Jahangir was the father of Emperor Shah Jahan who was the husband of Mumtaz Mahal. She was the granddaughter of Mirza Giyas Beg who was later on known as Itmad-Ud-Daulah.
Mumtaz Mahal was very beautiful like her aunt Noor Jahan. She was liked by Noor Jahan (or Nur Jahan) since her childhood. Her father arranged for her education in a royal manner and she developed all qualities and merits of a royal family.
Marriage with Shah Jahan: Arjumand Bano Begum was married to Prince Khurram on 10th May 1612 A.D. She was 19 years old at the time of marriage and Prince Khurram was 20 years old. Later on he was entitled as Shah Jahan Bahadur meaning the “Lord of the World” and he entitled his wife as Mumtaz Mahal meaning “The Chosen one of the Palace”. She was the third wife of Emperor Shah Jahan and was his favorite.
Mumtaz Mahal – The beauty within: Mumtaz Mahal had a very deep and loving marriage with Shah Jahan. She was beautiful, graceful and compassionate towards everyone. Mumtaz Mahal was the evergreen and faithful companion of Shah Jahan and she travelled with him all the time. She was given the royal seal, the "Muhr Uzah". She interceded on behalf of the petitioners and gave allowances to widows and orphans. The poets would celebrate her beauty and charm. She also enjoyed watching elephants and combat fights performed for the court. Mumtaz Mahal also devoted sometime to one of the riverside gardens of Agra.
Mumtaz Mahal was a courageous wife. Despite her frequent pregnancies, Mumtaz was always with Shah Jahan accompanying him in all the military campaigns. In their 18 years of marriage they had 14 children, 7 of whom died at infancy or at very young age.
 Death of the Empress: Mumtaz Mahal was accompanying her husband at Burhanpur in 1631 A.D. when Shah Jahan was fighting a campaign in the Deccan Plateau against Khan-e-Jahan Lodhi. She fell seriously ill while giving birth to her 14th child, Gauhar Ara Begum and died on 17th June, 1631 A.D. She was only 39 years old at that time. It is said that on the deathbed she had her last wish to the Emperor for a monument to be built as a symbol to their love. She also asked the Emperor not to marry again and take care of their children.
Temporary burial: Mumtaz Mahal was temporarily buried at Burhanpur in a garden known as Zainabad which was originally constructed by Shah Jahan’s uncle Daniyal on the bank of river Tapti. Later on her dead body was transported in a golden casket escorted back to Agra by her son Shah Shuja and the chief lady in waiting of Mumtaz named Situ-un-Nisa. The dead body was temporarily buried in a small building on the banks of river Yamuna in Agra.
Shah Jahan's grief: Shah Jahan was deeply grieved after his wife’s death. He went into solitude for mourning for around 2 years. His hair had turned white with bent back and his face was worn. His elder daughter Jahan Ara Begum gradually brought him out of his grief and she took the place of Mumtaz Mahal at court. On every Friday, Shah Jahan would go to her grave bare foot and in white dress. He used to read “Fatiha” accompanied by his courtiers and other family members.
Taj Mahal - Symbol of Love: The construction of the Taj Mahal immediately started after that. Today it stands as a monument to the love of the departed loving soul. Later on Shah Jahan was also buried next to his wife’s tomb. The loving souls are still alive with their love for each other. Taj Mahal always stands tall in all the monuments of the world telling the story to the world.
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