Jahanara Begum

Jahanara Begum (* April 2, 1614; † September 16, 1681 ) was the eldest surviving daughter of the Mughal emperor of India, Shah Jahan ( Prince Khurram ) and his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Their father Asaf Khan was vizier during Jahangir and paved her husband on the death of Jahangir's the way to the throne.

Jahanara took over the role of the first lady at court after the early death of her mother. Her father loved her very much and provided them with plenty of income. She was generous patron of the arts, donated several mosques, let gardens, pavilions and build houses, and was himself an estimated poet. It is assumed that they took great influence on the artistic design of the Taj Mahal, the tomb of her mother.

Jahanara was highly respected at her father's court, had great influence on him and enjoyed relatively great freedom when he did not pick up even the marriage ban for Mughal princesses, which Akbar had adopted, although there are indications that Jahanara would have liked to marry. There is evidence of romance in her life, which, however, were discovered and stopped ruthless.

Jahanara supported her eldest brother Dara Shikoh in the struggle for the throne. This, however, was defeated and killed by the younger Aurangzeb. Dara Shikoh had promised to repeal the marriage ban if he would gain the throne.

Aurangzeb continued his father caught and Jahanara nursed her father until his death. After the death of Shah Jahan, the sources dry up to Jahanara; presumably it was done by her fanatically religious brother Aurangzeb out of the way and he took possession of its considerable assets (secured ). With Aurangzeb began the decline of the Mughal art.