Mumtaz Mahal
Her profound love and death inspired the construction of the Taj Mahal, an eternal symbol of beauty and loss.
1593–1631 (age 38)·Empress of the Mughal Empire from 1628 to 1631·Birthday: April 27
Biography
Mumtaz Mahal, born Arjumand Banu Begum, was the inseparable companion and chief consort of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. Theirs was a storybook union; he was so captivated by her that he married her in 1612, bestowing the title 'Mumtaz Mahal,' meaning 'Chosen One of the Palace.' For nearly two decades, she was not just a beloved wife but also a trusted political advisor, often accompanying him on military campaigns. Her sudden death in 1631, while giving birth to their fourteenth child, plunged the emperor into a year-long period of mourning. From this profound grief emerged his most enduring legacy: the commissioning of the Taj Mahal as her mausoleum. More than a tomb, it became a monument to a specific, documented love, fusing Persian, Islamic, and Indian architectural styles into a global icon.
#1 When Mumtaz Was Born
The biggest hits of 1593
Mumtaz's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1593Born
1598Started school
1606Became a teenager
1609Could drive
1611Could vote
1614Turned 21
1623Turned 30
1631Died at 38
Key Achievements
- Served as the chief consort and trusted advisor to Emperor Shah Jahan during the peak of the Mughal Empire.
- Her death directly led to the commissioning of the Taj Mahal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and architectural marvel.
- Was the mother of 14 children, including the future Emperor Aurangzeb and the scholar Jahanara Begum.
Did You Know?
The name 'Taj Mahal' is derived from a shortened form of her title, Mumtaz Mahal.
She died in Burhanpur, not Agra, and her body was temporarily buried there before being moved to the Taj Mahal.
She carried and used a royal seal, which was inscribed with the phrase 'Great Seal of the Lady of the Age.'
She was the niece of Empress Nur Jahan, the powerful wife of Emperor Jahangir.
“The sight of this mansion creates sadness, for it resembles my beautiful face.”
