Ek Shehzaadi Ki Kahani

Behind the purdah, she sat with her calculative eyes, observing the happenings of the Diwan-e-Khas. She knew those crooked ways of the politicians, she knew those menacing eyes that were planning to ascend the throne, she knew the power of her family, she knew the power of a Mughal woman. Even from the jharokha, she could sense trouble and give a perfect solution for it. She was a Mughal. She was a Begum. She was Roshanara.

Roshana Begum's portrait by Robert Henri: The Saga of Viciousness; Image Source: Artnet

Embedded on the shahi takht, many rulers came and went by. Some ruled over the land, some ruled over people’s hearts, some destroyed unity, some built unity, but their contribution, good or bad, was never forgotten. While every era brought with it numerous Mughal characters, the role of Mughal women in the making of the empire has always been ignored. The chronicles of the Mughal era defined the coyness of women, but modern writers like Ira Mukhoty, have not only highlighted the power and sensuousness of these women but also represented their politically vicious minds that helped shape the future of the Mughal Empire. Hidden behind the purdah and jharokhas, these women have an entirely different tale to narrate.

One such woman who was not only the mastermind behind Aurangzeb’s accession to the Mughal throne, but an equally brilliant woman, a talented poetess, and one of the most notorious women of the Mughal empire. Favorite sister of Aurangzeb with a personality and dauntless as the mountains, she was none other than the famous shehzaadi, Roshanara Begum.

Born in the arms of the famous Mughal ruler, Shah Jahan and his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, Roshanara’s eyes twinkled with the want to acquire power and position. With four brothers and a sister by her side, the power struggle was quite real. Shah Jahan had four sons, out of which Dara Shikoh and Aurangzeb were the ones who always highlighted their importance in the empire. Though Shah Jahan was fond of Dara Shikoh and wanted to offer him the Peacock Throne, Aurangzeb didn’t like the idea of it. Family divided as hatred for each other kept on increasing. With Jahanara and Dara Shikoh from the “Team Angel”, and Roshanara and Aurangzeb from the “Team Devil”, the fight for the throne is an epic in itself.

The real bit of argy-bargy started when Shah Jahan plotted a devious plan to eliminate Aurangzeb whom he considered a serious threat to the throne. Deciding to end his life for once and all, he invited him to Delhi with a motive to kill him. Since Roshanara was a faithful supporter of Aurangzeb, she immediately sent a messenger to him with the real plan of their father. Shocked to the core, Aurangzeb thanked her sister for her timely warning that saved him from being beheaded by his very own father.

After several years of wars and disputes, when Aurangzeb finally succeeded the royal throne, he made sure to give his partner-in-crime an equally important position. Roshanara did not only become one of the most powerful and effective personalities of the court but was also given the prestigious title of Padshah Begum (the First Lady of the Mughal Empire).

However, insecurity still flowed in her veins when she realized that Dara could be a possible threat to her position if he ever comes to power. Wanting to eliminate this insecurity for once and all, she started pursuing Aurangzeb to make a plan wherein he would invite Shikoh and kill him. Agreeing to Roshanara’s plan, Aurangzeb invited Dara to the kingdom to solve all the family disputes. But as he reached Delhi, he was immediately bounded by chains and kept as a prisoner for days together. After parading him in Chandni Chowk, he was brutally beheaded.

With her vicious eyes twinkling with pride and happiness, Roshan neatly wrapped his head in a golden turban and packed it in a box, and sent it to Shah Jahan as a gift from her and Aurangzeb. When the package reached Shah Jahan, he was having his dinner. As soon as he opened the package, he was horrified at the sight and fell unconscious for days together.

The tale of viciousness doesn’t end here. Roshanara’s innate hatred for her sister, Jahanara was rooted deep in the fact that Shah Jahan had always loved Jahan more than Roshan. As a result, when she got the pivotal position in the empire, she immediately snatched away all the powers of Jahanara and turned her into a mere puppet in the shahi harem.

As days passed, her relationship with Aurangzeb turned sour. Starting from the reign of Akbar, the Mughal daughters were prohibited from marrying so that their offspring would not become a threat to the throne. But in the throes of passion, Roshan had illicit affairs with several men from the shahi Gharana, which was never liked by Aurangzeb. Having the right to issue farmans and nishans, she was given the highest rank in the harem. But she always misused these powers and tried to gain the same decision-making power that the emperor held and, in the process, she was viewed as a cruel woman by the wives of Aurangzeb.

An incident took place in 1662 when Aurangzeb was unwell and Roshan took the charge of handling the empire on behalf of her brother. She was quite adamant about letting his wives meet him and only allowed some of her trusted confidants to take care of him. This was not taken well by most of his wives and when Nawab Bai complained about it, the empire saw the ferocious moves of the tigress. Roshan held Nawab by her hair and dragged her out of Aurangzeb’s chamber.

Holding the position of a Mansabdar, she handled the most important part of the emperor’s army. She was often seen misusing the powers to have the privileges. Though numerous complaints were lodged against her, she was never given any punishment. Her love for gold and land led her to heights of corruption.

It was the phenomenal year of 1668 when Aurangzeb was informed of the cruel actions of her sister, and he finally stripped her of all her powers and banished her from the court. She was ordered to live a pious life outside Delhi. Her palace was surrounded by thick forests, aloof from the Siyasat-e-Delhi. She neither left her palace nor did she marry anyone. Horrified and disgusted by her actions, Roshan was sucked into deep repentance and died a horrible death. She was found “swollen like a hogshead, leaving behind her the name of great lasciviousness.”

While most might think that being a woman, Roshanara was heartless and did not repent her actions, at the same time, we cannot deny the fact that her wit and power to handle the vicious world of politics were indeed incredible. She was never afraid to show her power and personality. A towering personality, she will always remain one of the most important creators of the Mughal empire.