Roshanara Begum, New Delhi, Delhi India

Roshanara Begum was the second daughter of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal. She was born in the year 1617 on September 3. She along with her elder sister was quite influential during the reigns of Shahjahan and Aurangzeb. When the battle for succession started among the sons of Shahjahan, she took the side of Aurangzeb. It was she who had set up a network of spies all over the palace as well as far flung outposts so that every thing that took place was reported to her in no time.

Roshnara Begum is a lesser known figure in Indian Mughal history, but for some reason I am immensely drawn to who she really was. I guess the reason I’m so fascinated by Roshnara Begum is for her infamous reputation and the fact that she was openly rebellious in such a conservative society. Blatantly disobeying her father Shah Jahan and then later her brother Aurangzeb, Roshnara Begum believed in living the good life and let nothing whatsoever come in her way! The second daughter of Emperor Shah Jahan, Roshnara Begum was born on September 3rd 1617 and was an extremely intelligent, yet extremely notorious woman during her times.

Roshnara was a gifted poetess and was the strength behind her brother Aurangzeb, who later ascended the Mughal throne. Dara Shikoh was Shah Jahan’s favourite son and in line to succeed the Peacock Throne, which Aurangzeb had set his eyes on. Roshnara’s sister Jahanara Begum was supporting Dara Shikoh, whereas Roshnara was supporting Aurangzeb. Through this ugly struggle for power, Roshnara craftily foiled a plot by Shah Jahan and Dara Shikoh to kill Aurangzeb and helped him succeed his father’s throne.

After Aurangzeb’s rise to power, Roshnara became a powerful figure in his court. Fearing what Dara Shikoh might do to her for helping Aurangzeb, Roshnara asked Aurangbez to order his execution. Aurangzeb had Dara Shikoh beheaded and sent his head to his father Shah Jahan, who fell into deep grief after his favourite son’s death.

Roshnara continued her wayward ways and took to keeping many lovers. Because Mughal tradition required her to remain single, her behaviour did not go down well with Aurangzeb. Roshnara had also begun to control Aurangzeb’s harem in a manner not agreeable with Aurangzeb’s many wives. When Aurangzeb got wind of Roshnara’s greed and unreasonable behaviour, he stripped her off her power and banished her from his kingdom, to live a solitary life in her garden palace located in Delhi.