Roshanara once foiled a plot by Shah Jahan and Dara Shikoh to kill Aurangzeb. After Aurangzeb became the emperor in 1658, Roshanara became a powerful political figure.
The tomb of Roshanara Begum. (Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons)
New Delhi: Roshanara Begum was a princess of the Mughal Empire and was Emperor Shah Jahan and his favourite wife Mumtaz Mahal’s third daughter. She was a brilliant woman who was known for her talent in poetry. She supported Aurangzeb, her younger brother during the War of Succession after Shah Jahan fell ill in 1657. After Aurangzeb became the emperor in 1658, Roshanara became a powerful political figure.
Roshnara Begum and her support for Aurangzeb
Shah Jahan favoured Dara Shikoh to become the next Mughal Emperor. Shah Shuja was the rebellious Governor of Bengal and Aurangzeb was the Deccan Governor. Murad was made the Governor of Gujarat, but he proved to be very ineffective and Shah Jahan stripped him of his titles. There was great tension between Shah Jahan and his bitter younger sons, who wanted to depose him. During this power struggle, Jahanara Begum supported Dara Shikoh while Roshanara Begum sided with Aurangzeb.
The foiling of a conspiracy
Roshanara once foiled a plot by Shah Jahan and Dara Shikoh to kill Aurangzeb. Shah Jahan invited Aurangzeb to Delhi to resolve their differences. But the emperor wanted to capture and kill Aurangzeb who was perceived as a great threat to the throne. When Roshanara got to know of the plot, she warned Aurangzeb to stay away from Delhi. After Aurangzeb won the War of Succession and became the Mughal Emperor, Roshanara became a very powerful figure in court who even insisted on Dara’s execution fearing repercussions if he came back to power.
Relationship with Jahanara
Roshanara had a troubled relationship with Jahanara, her older sister as Shah Jahan favoured the latter. When Roshanara became the Padshah Begum and the Imperial harem’s head, it was a major victory for her over Jahanara. Roshanara became the most powerful woman in the empire. She became a Mansabdar, a high-ranking position in the army of the emperor.
The fall of Roshanara Begum
Roshanara had rumouredly many lovers which displeased Aurangzeb. She was hated by his brother’s wives for her behaviour. She gave him advice on state matters and took him to important meetings.
In 1662, Aurangzeb suddenly fell ill. Roshanara took charge of him and would not allow anyone to see him except her confidants. She thought Aurangzeb would die and took charge of the empire. She even stole the signet ring of Aurangzeb. She also accumulated huge wealth through corrupt methods. People complained against her, but her position in the court prevented any justice. She misused the powers and privileges given to her by Aurangzeb to further her financial ends before the emperor left for a military campaign in Deccan.
Finally, in 1667-1668, Roshanara’s power came to an end. Her enemies informed Aurangzeb of her financial and moral turpitude. The emperor was a very strict Muslim and he disapproved of Roshanara’s lifestyle. After coming back to Delhi, he stripped Roshanara of her powers. The once powerful woman was banished from the imperial court and was ordered to live in seclusion and a pious life.
Aurangzeb built her a garden palace where Roshanara spent an esoteric life. She remained unmarried and lived there till the end. Aurangzeb killed her by discreetly poisoning her. She passed away at the age of 54. Her tomb and her legacy lie in the Roshanara Bagh, a garden she designed and commissioned.
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