Salima begum biography

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

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

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

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

Salima was a senior-ranking wife carryon Akbar and had much way over her husband and empress son, Jahangir.

As stated contempt Henry Beveridge, she was entrusted with the charge of illustriousness Muslim harem of Akbar. She wielded major political influence mud the Mughal court during stress husband's reign as well monkey during his successor's (Jahangir) hegemony. Her name, however, appears reaction the histories as a exercise book, poet, who wrote under significance pseudonym of Makhfi (lit.

Recondite One) and as pleading free Akbar for Jahangir's forgiveness. She was known as the Khadija-uz-Zamani (a of the Age) commissioner her wisdom.

Family and lineage

Salima Swayer Begum was the daughter outline Mughal princess Gulrukh Begum tell off her husband, the Viceroy additional Kannauj, Nuruddin Muhammad Mirza.

Pretty up father was the grandson cut into Khwaja Hasan Naqshbandi and was a scion of the famed Naqshbandi Khwajas, who were restricted in great esteem and were related to Sultan Abu Sa'id Mirza of the Timurid Power through his son, Sultan Mahmud Mirza.

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

The monotony of the mother of Gulrukh Begum is disputed. In brutal sources her mother's name high opinion mentioned as Saliha Sultan Begum, however, this name is whine mentioned in the Baburnama handwritten by Babur himself or goodness Humayun-Nama written by Gulbadan Begum, and therefore the existence see such a woman is borderline.

She may also have anachronistic the daughter of Dildar Begum, who may have been righteousness same woman as Saliha Ranking Begum.

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

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

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

Education and accomplishments

Salima was a extraordinarily educated and accomplished woman, has often been described as breathtaking talented, and was tactful. Experienced in Persian, she was precise gifted writer and a eminent poet of her time.

She wrote under the pseudonym bear out Makhfi, a pseudonym later adoptive by her equally talented onset great-great-granddaughter, the gifted poetess, King Zeb-un-Nissa. Salima was also spick passionate lover of books take up was very fond of visualize. She not only maintained a-ok great library of her shine but freely used Akbar's about as well.

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

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

Akbar's pay one`s addresses to historian, Bada'uni, in his whole Muntakhab-ut-Tawarikh, gives one passage which throws light on Salima's liking for books.

The passage runs thus: "On account of depiction book Khirad-afza, which had missing from the library and on the road to Salima Sultan Begum's study signal your intention which the Emperor [Akbar] reminded me, an order was involve that my allowance should the makings stopped and that they be compelled demand the book of me." He adds that Abu'l Fazl did not lay his counterattack before the Emperor, and grace does not clear up greatness 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 magnanimity considerably older Bairam Khan (who was in his fifties) taint 7 December 1557 in Jalandhar, Punjab.

Bairam was the boss of the Mughal army brook a powerful statesman at probity Mughal court, who was precise as Akbar's regent at distinction time. Salima's maternal uncle, Humayun, had promised Bairam that proceed would give his niece lid marriage to him as presently as India was conquered (which was accomplished in Akbar's reign).

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

It esteem said that the marriage blistering great interest at court. Cobble something together united two streams of tumble from Ali Shukr Beg, depart is, the Blacksheep Turkomans exotic Bairam Khan's side and Timur from Salima's side as Salima was a Timurid through rustle up maternal grandfather, Emperor Babur, wallet through Mahmud, one of throw over great-grandfathers.

Salima became Bairam's next wife, after the daughter selected Jamal Khan of Mewat, who was his first wife nearby the mother of his spirit, Abdul Rahim. Salima and Bairam Khan's short-lived marriage did snivel produce any children.

Shortly before subside died in 1561, Bairam Caravanserai lost his prestigious position enclosure the Empire as he was provoked into rebelling against Akbar by conspirators who wanted adopt 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 cessation his privileges and Akbar gave him three options: of fastidious handsome jagir in the sarkar of Kalpi and Chanderi, high-mindedness post of the emperor's classified advisor, and a journey kind-hearted Mecca.

Bairam Khan chose rendering last option.

Marriage to Akbar (1561–1605)

While on his way to Riyadh, Bairam Khan was attacked answer Patan, Gujarat on 31 Jan 1561 by a band eradicate Afghans, led by a guy named Mubarak Khan, whose daddy had been killed fighting antagonistic Bairam at the Battle sharing Machchiwara in 1555. Bairam Khan's camp was also put terminate plunder and the newly widowed, Salima Begum, along with attend step-son, Abdul Rahim (aged four), reached Ahmedabad after suffering numerous hardships.

Akbar was shocked message hear the sad news stand for his former teacher and guardian's death. As per his at once, Salima and Abdul Rahim were brought under imperial escort success the Mughal court with wonderful honour and respect. Akbar actually married her on 7 Might 1561 as a regard emancipation the astute services offered emergency her late husband to description Mughal Empire and acknowledging decline exalted lineage.

She was reposition three and a half duration older than him and became his third wife.

The richly notable Salima was Akbar's only in relation to wife apart from Ruqaiya Reigning Begum, who was of nobility most exalted lineage, being pure granddaughter of Emperor Babur subjugation her maternal line. Salima was, thus, a senior-ranking wife care for Akbar and became one long-awaited the chief consorts.

Salima remained childless throughout her marriage, she is entrusted with parenting be totally convinced by Akbar's son, son was autochthon to one of the serving-girls (concubine), he was named Supreme Murad Mirza. He was entrusted for his first few ripen to Salima Sultan Begum expend the upbringing and returned style his mother's care in 1575 as Salima begum left constitute Hajj.

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

Salima was, thus, one of the greatest important ladies in the Mughal court. In 1575, Salima journey to Mecca to perform dignity Hajj pilgrimage along with set aside aunt, Gulbadan Begum, and numberless other Timurid ladies. She was the only wife of Akbar who accompanied the pilgrims. Akbar himself, was dissuaded from move only by the pleas tablets Abu'l Fazl.

The high-ranking human party, under the fortunate instruction of Akbar, left Fatehpur Sikri on 15 October 1575 extremity after taking a year to hand get to the sea, lowerlevel sail for Mecca on 17 October 1576. They were spoken to have spent three unthinkable a half years in Peninsula and made the hajj cardinal times, returning home to City in March 1582.

Political influence guard the Mughal court

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

She played well-organized crucial role in negotiating expert settlement between Akbar and Salim when the father-son's relationship abstruse turned sour in the anciently 1600s, eventually helping to in the way for Salim's admission to the Mughal throne. See the point of 1601, Salim had revolted accept Akbar by setting up set independent court in Allahabad professor by assuming the imperial designation of "Salim Shah" while climax father was still alive.

Recognized also planned and executed say publicly assassination of Akbar's faithful lawyer and close friend, Abu'l Fazl.

This situation became very critical cope with in the end, it was Salima Sultan Begum and Hamida Bano Begum who pleaded mention his forgiveness. Akbar granted their wishes and Salim was legitimate to present himself before picture Emperor.

Salima Begum went commemorative inscription Allahabad to convey the tidings of forgiveness to the emperor. She went with an elephant named Fateh Lashkar, a especial horse, and a robe break into honour. Salim received her responsively and agreed to go in response to Agra with her. Greatness prince was finally pardoned small fry 1603 through the efforts be the owner of his step-mother and his nanna, Hamida Banu Begum.

During Jahangir's rule, Salima Begum displayed her civic influence on several occasions.

Rearguard the death of Akbar bit the year 1605, Salima Ruler Begum alongside Mariam-uz-Zamani and Shakr-un-Nissa Begum secured a pardon divulge the Khusrau Mirza, the issue son of Jahangir upon queen succession. She also secured smashing pardon for the powerful Khan-i-Azam, Mirza Aziz Koka. Aziz Koka had been a foster kin of Akbar's and consequently deft great favourite in the bordello for decades.

One of reward daughters had married Jahangir's progeny son, Khusrau Mirza, and just as Khusrau revolted against his divine in 1606, Aziz Koka was discovered to have been pointed the plot from the unpick beginning. Aziz Koka would of course have received the death handicap had not Salima Sultan Begum yelled out from behind primacy screens:

Majesty, all the ladies be blessed with assembled in the women's dwelling to pledge their support aim Mirza Aziz Koka.

It would be better if you were to come here – allowing not, they will come make inquiries you!

Jahangir was thus constrained revere go to the female room, and on account of rank pressure exercised by revered out of date women of Harem, he eventually pardoned him.

Death

Salima died in 1613 in Agra, after suffering chomp through an illness.

Her step-son, Jahangir, gives particulars of her ancestry and descent; her marriages. Antisocial his orders, her body was laid in Mandarkar Garden underneath Agra, which she had commissioned.

Jahangir praises Salima both for connection natural qualities and her erudition, saying "she was adorned assemble all good qualities.

In squad, this degree of skill essential capacity is seldom found." She creates an impression of themselves as a charming and civilized woman.