How many wives did Shah Jahan have?

Shah Jahan, also known as Prince Khurram, was the fifth Mughal Emperor of India, ruling from 1628 to 1658. He is perhaps best known for commissioning the construction of the Taj Mahal in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. However, the number of wives that Shah Jahan had during his lifetime is a topic of some debate among historians, as the available historical records are somewhat conflicting.

According to most sources, Shah Jahan had a total of three wives during his lifetime. The first was Princess Kandahari Begum, who he married in 1609 when he was just 15 years old. Kandahari Begum was the daughter of Ali Quli Beg Istajlu, a Persian nobleman who served in the court of Emperor Jahangir, Shah Jahan's father. The marriage was arranged by Jahangir in order to strengthen the ties between his family and Ali Quli Beg.

Shah Jahan's second wife was Mumtaz Mahal, who he married in 1612. Mumtaz Mahal was the daughter of Asaf Khan, a powerful nobleman in the court of Jahangir. She was just 19 years old at the time of her marriage to Shah Jahan, who was already 20. Mumtaz Mahal was known for her beauty, intelligence, and wit, and was said to have been Shah Jahan's favorite wife. She accompanied him on his military campaigns and gave birth to 14 children, including the future Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.

Mumtaz Mahal died in 1631 while giving birth to her 14th child. Shah Jahan was devastated by her death and went into a period of mourning that lasted for several years. It was during this time that he commissioned the construction of the Taj Mahal as a mausoleum for his beloved wife.

Shah Jahan's third wife was Aurangzeb's mother, Dilras Banu Begum. Dilras Banu was the daughter of a nobleman named Shahryar Mirza, and was first married to Shah Jahan's eldest son, Dara Shikoh. However, after Dara Shikoh was defeated in a succession battle with his younger brother Aurangzeb, Dilras Banu was given to Shah Jahan as a concubine. She eventually became his third wife, but died in 1657, just one year before Shah Jahan himself passed away.

While most sources agree that Shah Jahan had only three wives, there are some historical records that suggest he may have had additional wives or concubines. For example, some accounts suggest that he had a wife named Akbarabadi Mahal, who was the mother of his daughter Jahanara Begum. However, the details of this relationship are not well documented, and it is possible that Akbarabadi Mahal was simply a concubine rather than a formal wife.

In addition, there are also accounts of Shah Jahan having romantic relationships with other women during his lifetime. For example, the poet and scholar Sa'ib composed a series of poems in praise of a woman named Inayat Khanum, who was said to have been a favorite of Shah Jahan's. However, it is not clear whether Inayat Khanum was ever a formal wife or concubine of the emperor, or whether their relationship was purely romantic in nature.

In conclusion, while the exact number of wives that Shah Jahan had is a matter of some debate, it is generally agreed that he had three formal wives during his lifetime. Of these, Mumtaz Mahal was undoubtedly the most famous and beloved, and her tragic death was a turning point in Shah Jahan's life, leading him to commission one of the most iconic structures in the world, the Taj Mahal.

Despite the controversy surrounding the number of Shah Jahan's wives, there is no doubt that the emperor was deeply devoted to Mumtaz Mahal, as evidenced by the grandeur and beauty of the Taj Mahal. The monument, which took more than 20 years to complete, is a testament to the love that Shah Jahan had for his wife and the grief that he felt after her untimely death.

In addition to his relationships with his wives and other women, Shah Jahan is also remembered for his many other accomplishments as a ruler. During his reign, he oversaw the construction of numerous other important structures, including the Red Fort in Delhi and the Jama Masjid in Agra. He also worked to promote religious tolerance and cultural diversity in his empire, and was known for his patronage of the arts and sciences.

However, despite his many achievements, Shah Jahan's reign was not without controversy. His decision to build the Taj Mahal, which was one of the most expensive construction projects in history, was criticized by some as an unnecessary extravagance. In addition, his eldest son Dara Shikoh was executed by his own brother Aurangzeb in a bloody power struggle, leading to a period of instability and conflict in the empire.

In conclusion, while the number of wives that Shah Jahan had is a matter of debate, it is clear that he was a complex and multi-faceted figure who made significant contributions to Indian history and culture. His love for Mumtaz Mahal, as demonstrated by the creation of the Taj Mahal, remains one of the most enduring and romantic stories of all time.