The Most Ravishing Women of All Time: Part 7 – Empress Mumtaz Mahal

In 1607 AD Arjumand Banu Begum was 14 years old becoming betrothed to Prince Khurram of the Mogul Peacock Throne in Agra, India. Although very young, court astrologers told the Prince they must marry five years hence for a happy, auspicious marriage. During this time Prince Khurram ascended the throne becoming the Emperor Shah Jahan I, of his glorious Indian realm. Arjumand was his third wife marrying the Emperor Shah Jahan I amidst glittering splendour in, 1612.

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Chosen One of the Palace

Emperor Jahan I was utterly smitten by this soft and delicate child to whom he was betrothed. Theirs was to become the world’s greatest love story. There was nothing that the Emperor Shah Jahan I could do to satisfy his beautiful lily of Persia. It was a good thing that the marriage was delayed as their love only blossomed in that five year hiatus prior to the date set by the soothsayers. The Emperor was so entranced by her he named her, “Mumtaz Mahal,” (Chosen One of the Palace) on their wedding night. Everything in the Universe was to be hers so great was the love between him and sweet, blessed Mumtaz.

Well What About Us?

Prince Khurram had taken two wives during the five-year-wait to marry Arjumand Banu Begum. Chroniclers of the time tell of Jahan’s polygamous duties to his first two wives. He held cupid’s joy only for his third wife, Arjumand (Mumtaz Mahal). He sired two children, one each per the first two wives, but that was it. There was no love for them, simply conjugal duty. The marriage to his third wife, however, was something else! It is chronicled as a complete, lasting, happy and legendary marriage of note. The feelings of the first two wives is never once stated, but they must have felt completely bereft, by comparison to the love the Emperor felt for his gorgeous, young Mumtaz.

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What a Marriage

Full-time poets were employed at court to extol the beauty of his Empress Mumtaz Mahal. History tells us that this innocent rose was not at all ambitious, compared other Royal wives. This must have strengthened their love. For all accounts she kept well away from political power turning her hand to helping India’s destitute.  It is also told she enjoyed regal games and that the Emperor took delight in her glee.  She travelled extensively with him, through the Mogul empire, even during battles and tempests. 

How Many Kids?

Empress Mumtaz Mahal bore twenty-one children. Seven died in childbirth. Mumtaz give birth to her fourteenth-surviving child in Burhanpur in, 1631. This was too much for her system and she passed away. Emperor Jahan I went into hiding for a year, so stricken by grief, that his hair turned pure-white. Building the Taj Mahal, for his beloved third-wife Mumtaz Mahal, then became the Emperor’s driving passion. It stands majestically today as a testimony to love, marriage and a deep, deep sentiment never seen since.  This beautiful young Empress left an incredible and lasting monument, the Taj Mahal that millions flock to each year.

Her life was short, she was deeply loved by her husband and was one of the most ravishing women of the ages. What we learn from this lovely life?

1.   That you can be so loved grand monuments, such as the Taj Mahal, can be built in your memory

2.   True marriage, beauty and poetry are powerful forces in the world

3.   Affairs of the heart are truly magnificent.

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More Ravishing Women by this author:

1 – Cleopatra

2 – Helen of Troy

3 – Mata Hari

4 – Nell Gwyn

5 – The Queen of Sheba

6 – Queen Emma of the South Seas

I hope you liked this Web series.  See you for more exciting work from James DeVere