Hi Everyone…
Before, you
start reading this article, let me mention that
this article about the HINDU queen of Akbar the Great,
Mariam-uz-zamani / Harka Bai / Heer Kunwari has
been written after an extensive analysis of historical accounts.
Also check :
Mariam-Uz-Zamani - The Forgotten Enigma - Part-2 : Click Here to Read
This is a new post with some scanned rare documents about her and Akbar. The account used in this post was suggested by Professor Findly of Trinity College.
Mariam-Uz-Zamani (Heer Kunwari / Harka Bai)
She was an Empress
of the Mughal Empire. She was the wife of Mughal Emperor Akbar. She was his first and chief Rajput wife,
and the mother of the next Mughal Emperor, Jahangir, and grandmother of the
following Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan.
Mariam-Uz-Zamani was referred to as the Queen Mother of Hindustan, during the reign of Emperor Akbar. She was the longest serving Hindu Mughal Empress (6th February 1562 - 27 October 1605) and ruled for over 43 years.
Her marriage to Akbar was a very important event in Mughal history and led to a gradual shift in Akbar’s religious and social policy. She is widely regarded in modern Indian historiography as exemplifying Akbar's and the Mughal's tolerance of religious differences and their inclusive policies within an expanding multi-ethnic and multi-denominational empire.
Contents
1. Family
2. Marriage
3. Children
4. Religion
5.
Family advancement and Power consolidation
6. Titles
7. Political influence and power
7. Political influence and power
8.
Death
9.
The misnomer of Jodhabai
Family
Heer Kunwari was born a Rajput princess (Rajkumari) and was the eldest daughter of Raja Bharmal, of Amer (modern day Jaipur). She was the granddaughter of Raja Prithvi Singh I of Amer.
Rajkumari Heer Kunwari was also the sister of Raja Bhagwan Das of Amer, whose son, Raja Man Singh I later became one the Nine Jewels (Navaratnas) in the court of Akbar. Both Raja Bhagwan Das and Raja Man Singh occupied the highest offices in Akbar's court.
Her niece, Manbhawati Bai or Manmati bai, daughter of her brother Raja Bhagwan Das, married Prince Salim (Jahangir) on 13 February, 1585. Man Bai later became mother to Prince Khusrau Mirza and was awarded the title of Shah Begum by Jahangir.
Marriage
Akbar's marriage with Heer Kunwari had far-reaching results. He started taking a more favorable view of Hinduism and his Hindu subjects. In a marriage of political alliance, Heer Kunwari was married to Akbar on February 6, 1562 at Sambhar near Jaipur, Rajasthan, India. Heer Kunwari became the third wife of Akbar after Ruqaiya Sultan Begum, who was Akbar's first wife, and Salima Sultan Begum, the widow of his most trusted general, Bairam Khan.
The Mariam-uz-Zamani Palace at Fatehpur Sikri.
Akbar's marriage with Heer Kunwari produced important effects on both his personal life and his public policy. The custom of Hindu rulers offering their daughters for
marriage to Muslim rulers, though not common, had been prevalent in the country
for several centuries.
Yet Akbar's marriage to the princess of Amber/Amer is significant, as an early indicator of his evolving policy of religious eclecticism. The marriage secured the powerful support of her family throughout his reign, and offered manifest proof, to the world that Akbar had decided to be the Badshah of all his people, Hindus as well as Muhammadans.
Yet Akbar's marriage to the princess of Amber/Amer is significant, as an early indicator of his evolving policy of religious eclecticism. The marriage secured the powerful support of her family throughout his reign, and offered manifest proof, to the world that Akbar had decided to be the Badshah of all his people, Hindus as well as Muhammadans.
Akbar took other Rajput princesses in marriage. The rajas had much to gain from their link to the imperial family. Akbar made such marriages respectable for Rajputs.
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| Mariam-Uz-Zamani, the favorite wife of Mughal Emperor Akbar gives birth to Prince Salim. Point worth noting - This is a contemporary account written in the reign of Akbar and Jahangir. |
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Children
Among many children , Heer Kunwari also gave birth to the twin sons of Akbar.. The twins were named Hassan and Hussain..The twins survived barely for 2 weeks..
Related Post with a Video:
The TWINS of Mariam-Uz-Zamani and Akbar | An Assessment
Related Post with a Video:
The TWINS of Mariam-Uz-Zamani and Akbar | An Assessment
Though she remained a Hindu, Heer Kunwari was honoured with the title Mariam-uz-Zamani ("Mary of the Age") after she gave birth to Jahangir. Despite her being a non-Muhammadan wife, she held great respect and honour in the Mughal household. As mother of the heir-apparent, she took precedence over all the other wives of Akbar.
In the beginning of 1569, Akbar was
gladdened by the news that Heer Kunwari was expecting a child and
that he might hope for the first of the three sons promised by Sheikh Salim
Chisti, a reputed holy man who lived at Sikri. An expectant Heer was sent to the
Sheikh's humble dwelling at Sikri during the period of her pregnancy. On August
30, 1569, the boy was born and received the name Salim, in acknowledgement of
his father's faith in the efficacy of the holy man's prayers.
Heer Kunwari’s title, Mariam-uz-zamani, has caused her to be mistaken sometimes with Akbar's mother, whose title was Mariam-Makani, 'dwelling with Mary'.
Jahangir reserved exceptional respect for his mother Mariam-Uz-Zamani :
 |
| Jahangir's regard for his mother was exceptional and different from what he showed to others. He conducted almost all major ceremonies in her palace. The English traveller Edward Terry, who visited India between 1616 and 1619 records that the Mughal Emperor Jahangir used to carry the palanquin of his mother Mariam-Uz-Zamani on his own shoulders! There are various tales of "the stature and largesse he bestowed upon her". |
Religion
Akbar developed Hindu inclinations and allowed his Hindu wife to perform the customary rites in the royal palace. Thus, contrary to the usual practice of sultans, Akbar allowed her to remain a Hindu and to maintain a Hindu temple in the royal palace. He himself participated in the puja she performed. She was a devotee of Lord Krishna. Her palace was decorated with paintings of Lord Krishna and frescos.
Family advancement and Power
consolidation
Akbar's friendly relations with the Rajputs began after his marriage with Heer Kunwari. This was an important step which profoundly influenced his future policies. The marriage, secured for him the support of her family, from among whom he drew his leading counsellors.
On his marriage with Heer Kunwari, Akbar summoned Raja Man Singh I, nephew of Heer Kunwari and son of Raja Bhagwan Das of Amer, the heir to the throne of Raja Bharmal, and took him into the imperial service, by giving him an office in his court. Raja Bhagwan Das was also enrolled amongst the nobility. Later, they both rose ultimately to high offices.
The Rajas of Amer especially benefited from their close association with the Mughals, and acquired immense wealth and power. Of twenty-seven Rajputs in Abu'l-Fazl’s list of mansabdars, thirteen were from the Amer clan. Some of them rose to positions as high as that of imperial princes.
Raja Bhagwan Das, for instance,
became commander of 5000, the highest position available at that time, and bore
the proud title Amir-ul-Umara (Chief Noble). His son, Raja
Man Singh I, rose even higher to become commander of 7000. This position was
not enjoyed by anyone except the imperial princes. This marriage was,
thus, beneficial to both the Mughals and the
Kachwaha Rajputs of Amer.
Also Read : Relations of Akbar with Mariam Uz Zamani and Rajputs of Amer Clan | Updated on 4th Nov '15
Also Read : Relations of Akbar with Mariam Uz Zamani and Rajputs of Amer Clan | Updated on 4th Nov '15
Titles
Many honorific titles were bestowed on Harka Bai / Heer Kunwari, details of which are as follows ::
a. Wali Ni'maat - Meaning 'Blessing of Saint' / 'Gift of God'.
b. Malika-e-Muezzama
"Muezzama" refers to someone who is chaste, innocent, and honored. There is a pious incident which explains the motive behind awarding this title --
" Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) had a cat named Muezza whom he cared for so much that, once when the cat was sleeping on his sleeve, and the Prophet had to go for prayers, that time rather than disturb the cat's sleep, he cut off the sleeve of his robe on which the cat slept, and thereafter went for the prayers, thus NOT disturbing the cat's sleep. "
^^
So, going by this explanation, it can be inferred that, She was given this title, as she was someone, who was very precious / important for Akbar. And the meaning of this title itself speaks Volumes about Harka Bai.
c. Mariam-Uz-Zamani - Title Given after Salim's birth in 1569.
d. Queen Mother of Hindustan [Literally, translates to Malika-e-Hindustan.]
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 |
| A book was
compiled under the patronage of the British Government. The compilation
of the records started in 1800's and finally the book was published in
early 20th century. Though,
this book, is like a normal history account. But in this account, we get one striking point. The author makes a comment about a Rajput
Princess, who was the favorite wife of Akbar. |
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Political influence and power
Mariam-uz-Zamani was reported to have been a highly astute business woman. She ran an active international trade in spices, silk, etc., and thus, amassed a private fortune, which dwarfed the treasury of many a European king. She was among the most prodigious women traders at the Mughal court. No other noblewoman on record seems to have been as adventurous a trader as the Queen Mother.
Mariam uz-Zamani owned ships that carried pilgrims to and from the Islamic holy city of Mecca. In 1613, her ship, the Rahīmī was seized by Portuguese pirates along with 600-700 passengers and the cargo. Rahīmī was the largest Indian ship sailing in the Red Sea and was known to the Europeans as the "great pilgrimage ship". When the Portuguese officially refused to return the ship and the passengers, the outcry at the Mughul court was quite unusually severe. The outrage was compounded by the fact that the owner and the patron of the ship was none other than the revered mother of the current emperor. Mariam-uz-Zamani's son, the Indian emperor Jahangir, ordered the seizure of the Portuguese town Daman. This episode is considered to be an example of the struggle for wealth that would later ensue and lead to colonization of the Indian sub-continent.
She was one of the only four members of the court (another was the emperor) and the only woman to have the rank of 12,000 cavalry, and was known to receive a jewel from every nobleman "according to his estate" each year on the occasion of New Year's festival. Like only a few other women at the Mughal court, Mariam-uz-Zamani was granted the right to issue official documents (singularly called farman), usually the exclusive privilege of the emperor. Issuing of such orders was confined to the highest ladies of the harem such as Hamida Banu Begum, Mariam-uz-Zamani, Nur Jehan, Mumtaz Mahal, Nadira Banu and Jahanara Begum. Mariam Zamani Begum used her wealth and influence to build gardens, wells, and mosques around the countryside.
Death
Mariam uz-Zamani died in 1623. As per her last wishes, a vav or step well was constructed by Jahangir. Her tomb is on the Tantpur road, now known as Jyoti Nagar. Mariam's Tomb is only a kilometre away from Tomb of Akbar the Great. The tomb's location reduced its chances of becoming a tourist attraction, but likewise, its lack of visibility meant it fell into a state of disrepair.
The Mosque of Mariam Zamani Begum Sahiba was built by her son Nur-ud-din Salim Jahangir and is situated in the Walled City of Lahore, present day Pakistan.
The misnomer of
Jodhabai
There is a popular perception that the wife of Akbar, mother of Jahangir, was also known as "Jodha Bai".
Her name in the Mughal chronicles is mentioned as Mariam-uz-Zamani. Tuzuk-e-Jahangiri, the autobiography of Jahangir refers her only as Mariam-uz-Zamani. Neither the Akbarnama nor any other historical text from the period refers to her as Jodha Bai.
The name "Jodha Bai" was first used to refer to Akbar's wife in the 18th and 19th centuries in historical writings. The name Jodha Bai was used by Lieutenant-Colonel James Tod, in his book Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan. Jodha Bai was not the name of Akbar's queen; but "Jodh Bai" was the name of Jahangir's wife Taj Bibi Bilqis Makani, the Princess of Jodhpur, whose real name was Jagat Gosain.
Also check :
Mariam-Uz-Zamani - The Forgotten Enigma - Part-2 : Click Here to Read
This is a new post with some scanned rare documents about her and Akbar. The account used in this post was suggested by Professor Findly of Trinity College.
Article Category : Mughals (Akbar)
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