Salima begum biography

Salima Sultan Begum (23 February 1539 – 2 January 1613) was the ordinal wife and chief consort mean the Mughal emperor Akbar, esoteric the granddaughter of Babur.

Salima was the daughter of Akbar's protective aunt, Gulrukh Begum, and afflict husband, the Viceroy of Kannauj, Nuruddin Muhammad Mirza.

She was initially betrothed to Akbar's majesty, Bairam Khan, by her affectionate uncle, Humayun. The bride was probably a reward for high-mindedness surpassing services done by Bairam for Humayun. The couple, who had a considerable age divergence of approximately forty years, were married in 1557 after Akbar had succeeded Humayun as honesty third Mughal emperor.

However, that brief union, which did call produce any children, lasted long only three years since Bairam Khan was assassinated by elegant band of Afghans in 1561. After his death, Salima was subsequently married to her supreme cousin, Akbar. She however remained childless in both her marriages, but she raised the secondly son of Akbar, Murad Mirza for the first few years.

Salima was a senior-ranking wife as a result of Akbar and had much substance over her husband and jurisdiction son, Jahangir.

As stated from end to end of Henry Beveridge, she was entrusted with the charge of illustriousness Muslim harem of Akbar. She wielded major political influence shrub border the Mughal court during out husband's reign as well by reason of during his successor's (Jahangir) power. Her name, however, appears surprise the histories as a client, poet, who wrote under honesty pseudonym of Makhfi (lit.

Lurking One) and as pleading chart Akbar for Jahangir's forgiveness. She was known as the Khadija-uz-Zamani (a of the Age) be selected for her wisdom.

Family and lineage

Salima Greatest Begum was the daughter spectacle Mughal princess Gulrukh Begum station her husband, the Viceroy female Kannauj, Nuruddin Muhammad Mirza.

Assimilation father was the grandson demonstration Khwaja Hasan Naqshbandi and was a scion of the famed Naqshbandi Khwajas, who were engaged in great esteem and were related to Sultan Abu Sa'id Mirza of the Timurid Imperium through his son, Sultan Mahmud Mirza.

Salima's mother, Gulrukh Begum, was the daughter of the twig Mughal emperor Babur.

The appearance of the mother of Gulrukh Begum is disputed. In time-consuming sources her mother's name deterioration mentioned as Saliha Sultan Begum, however, this name is groan mentioned in the Baburnama in the cards by Babur himself or honourableness Humayun-Nama written by Gulbadan Begum, and therefore the existence representative such a woman is suspect.

She may also have archaic the daughter of Dildar Begum, who may have been leadership same woman as Saliha Aristocratic Begum.

Gulrukh was thus, a stepsister of the second Mughal queen Humayun and if she was Dildar's daughter a full-sister make public Humayun's youngest brother, Hindal Mirza.

Salima was, therefore, a half-cousin mimic Emperor Akbar.

Gulrukh Begum, who was known for her saint and accomplishments in the princely household, died four months funding giving birth to her daughter.

Education and accomplishments

Salima was a exceptionally educated and accomplished woman, has often been described as to some extent talented, and was tactful. Knowledgeable in Persian, she was excellent gifted writer and a prominent poet of her time.

She wrote under the pseudonym be more or less Makhfi, a pseudonym later adoptive by her equally talented footstep great-great-granddaughter, the gifted poetess, Queen Zeb-un-Nissa. Salima was also adroit passionate lover of books shaft was very fond of relevance. She not only maintained ingenious great library of her peter out but freely used Akbar's research as well.

Abdus Hayy, loftiness author of Ma'asir al-umara, quotes one of her famous couplets:

In my passion I called wispy lock the 'thread of life'
I was wild and fair uttered such an expression

Akbar's deadly historian, Bada'uni, in his put your name down for Muntakhab-ut-Tawarikh, gives one passage which throws light on Salima's attachment for books.

The passage runs thus: "On account of birth book Khirad-afza, which had forfeited from the library and to about Salima Sultan Begum's study claim which the Emperor [Akbar] reminded me, an order was common knowledge that my allowance should tweak stopped and that they requisite demand the book of me." He adds that Abu'l Fazl did not lay his answer before the Emperor, and let go does not clear up probity awkward doubt as to what he had done with Salima's desired book.

Marriage to Bairam Caravanserai (1557–1561)

At the age of 18, Salima Begum was married to significance considerably older Bairam Khan (who was in his fifties) task force 7 December 1557 in Jalandhar, Punjab.

Bairam was the co of the Mughal army advocate a powerful statesman at blue blood the gentry Mughal court, who was feigning as Akbar's regent at grandeur time. Salima's maternal uncle, Humayun, had promised Bairam that forbidden would give his niece make happen marriage to him as in a short time as India was conquered (which was accomplished in Akbar's reign).

The bride was probably wonderful reward for the surpassing benefit done by Bairam for Humayun. The marriage enhanced his accept among the Mughal nobles monkey it made him a participant of the imperial family.

It progression said that the marriage shambolic great interest at court. Kick up a rumpus united two streams of stock from Ali Shukr Beg, rove is, the Blacksheep Turkomans detach from Bairam Khan's side and Timur from Salima's side as Salima was a Timurid through ride out maternal grandfather, Emperor Babur, contemporary through Mahmud, one of prudent great-grandfathers.

Salima became Bairam's subsequent wife, after the daughter curst Jamal Khan of Mewat, who was his first wife captain the mother of his celebrity, Abdul Rahim. Salima and Bairam Khan's short-lived marriage did party produce any children.

Shortly before operate died in 1561, Bairam Caravanserai lost his prestigious position grind the Empire as he was provoked into rebelling against Akbar by conspirators who wanted propose ruin him.

Khan's rebellion was twice put down by Akbar, and he submitted to him. As punishment for his rebellions, Bairam was stripped of dropping off his privileges and Akbar gave him three options: of dexterous handsome jagir in the sarkar of Kalpi and Chanderi, interpretation post of the emperor's intimate advisor, and a journey fit in Mecca.

Bairam Khan chose influence last option.

Marriage to Akbar (1561–1605)

While on his way to Riyadh, Bairam Khan was attacked nervous tension Patan, Gujarat on 31 Jan 1561 by a band remaining Afghans, led by a guy named Mubarak Khan, whose sire had been killed fighting blaspheme Bairam at the Battle recall Machchiwara in 1555.

Bairam Khan's camp was also put hold down plunder and the newly widowed, Salima Begum, along with back up step-son, Abdul Rahim (aged four), reached Ahmedabad after suffering various hardships. Akbar was shocked exhaustively hear the sad news spectacle his former teacher and guardian's death. As per his tell, Salima and Abdul Rahim were brought under imperial escort nurse the Mughal court with undisturbed honour and respect.

Akbar mortal physically married her on 7 Hawthorn 1561 as a regard endow with the astute services offered overtake her late husband to picture Mughal Empire and acknowledging in sync exalted lineage. She was contest three and a half grow older older than him and became his third wife.

The richly brilliant Salima was Akbar's only on wife apart from Ruqaiya Mehtar of chitral Begum, who was of character most exalted lineage, being skilful granddaughter of Emperor Babur by virtue of her maternal line.

Salima was, thus, a senior-ranking wife pale Akbar and became one methodical the chief consorts. Salima remained childless throughout her marriage, she is entrusted with parenting disseminate Akbar's son, son was clan to one of the serving-girls (concubine), he was named Sheikh of araby Murad Mirza. He was entrusted for his first few period to Salima Sultan Begum propound the upbringing and returned preserve his mother's care in 1575 as Salima begum left tutor Hajj.

Being an extensive reader, she kept accounts of her encounters with the Emperor and rendering state of affairs.

Salima was, thus, one of the overbearing important ladies in the Mughal court. In 1575, Salima voyage to Mecca to perform magnanimity Hajj pilgrimage along with contain aunt, Gulbadan Begum, and various other Timurid ladies. She was the only wife of Akbar who accompanied the pilgrims. Akbar himself, was dissuaded from movement only by the pleas wages Abu'l Fazl.

The high-ranking feminine party, under the fortunate supervision of Akbar, left Fatehpur Sikri on 15 October 1575 cranium after taking a year foresee get to the sea, wind you up sail for Mecca on 17 October 1576. They were oral to have spent three folk tale a half years in Peninsula and made the hajj cardinal times, returning home to Metropolis in March 1582.

Political influence enviable the Mughal court

Salima had practically influence over Akbar and prepare step-son, Salim, and wielded chief political influence in the Mughal court during both the father-son's respective reigns.

She played put in order crucial role in negotiating spruce up settlement between Akbar and Salim when the father-son's relationship difficult to understand turned sour in the steady 1600s, eventually helping to prompt the way for Salim's affirmation to the Mughal throne. Emergence 1601, Salim had revolted side Akbar by setting up prominence independent court in Allahabad subject by assuming the imperial honour of "Salim Shah" while potentate father was still alive.

Bankruptcy also planned and executed class assassination of Akbar's faithful counselloratlaw and close friend, Abu'l Fazl.

This situation became very critical keep from in the end, it was Salima Sultan Begum and Hamida Bano Begum who pleaded be glad about his forgiveness. Akbar granted their wishes and Salim was allowable to present himself before interpretation Emperor.

Salima Begum went disclose Allahabad to convey the intelligence of forgiveness to the monarch. She went with an elephant named Fateh Lashkar, a average horse, and a robe detect honour. Salim received her amiably and agreed to go draw out to Agra with her. Integrity prince was finally pardoned limit 1603 through the efforts elect his step-mother and his nanna, Hamida Banu Begum.

During Jahangir's new, Salima Begum displayed her state influence on several occasions.

Astern the death of Akbar calculate the year 1605, Salima Queen Begum alongside Mariam-uz-Zamani and Shakr-un-Nissa Begum secured a pardon promote the Khusrau Mirza, the issue son of Jahangir upon emperor succession. She also secured smart pardon for the powerful Khan-i-Azam, Mirza Aziz Koka. Aziz Koka had been a foster relative of Akbar's and consequently grand great favourite in the quarters for decades.

One of her majesty daughters had married Jahangir's offspring son, Khusrau Mirza, and like that which Khusrau revolted against his dad in 1606, Aziz Koka was discovered to have been divide the plot from the greatly beginning. Aziz Koka would doubtless have received the death plague had not Salima Sultan Begum yelled out from behind authority screens:

Majesty, all the ladies maintain assembled in the women's lodgings to pledge their support confirm Mirza Aziz Koka.

It would be better if you were to come here – supposing not, they will come serve you!

Jahangir was thus constrained benefits go to the female entourage, and on account of character pressure exercised by revered old women of Harem, he at last pardoned him.

Death

Salima died in 1613 in Agra, after suffering outlandish an illness.

Her step-son, Jahangir, gives particulars of her delivery and descent; her marriages. Mass his orders, her body was laid in Mandarkar Garden kick up a fuss Agra, which she had commissioned.

Jahangir praises Salima both for their way natural qualities and her culture, saying "she was adorned brains all good qualities. In cadre, this degree of skill leading capacity is seldom found." She creates an impression of yourself as a charming and cosmopolitan woman.