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Hi friends, do you know that today is Heer Kunwari aka Jodha Bai's birthday. I did not know but I happened upon this article on Indiatoday online. The article is as follows-
Popularly known as Jodha Bai, Mariam-uz-Zamani was born on October 1, 1542. Jodha Bai was the daughter of Raja Bharmel of Amer (Jaipur). She was a Hindu princess but married a Muslim king, Akbar. Their marriage was considered to be an example of religious tolerance. However, the marriage between the two of them was more of a political alliance. She was also known as the first and the last love of the Mughal emperor.
On her 473rd birth anniversary today, let's read a brief timeline of her life:
- Jodha Bai was born as Heer Kunwari. Her other names were Hira Kunwari and Harka Bai
- Her name in Mughal chronicles was Mariam-uz-Zamani. This title was given to her by her husband, Akbar, after she gave birth to their son, Jahangir
- She married Akbar on Febrauary 6, 1562 at the age of 20
- Mariam-uz-Zamani was referred to as the Queen Mother of Hindustan, during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Akbar and also during her son Emperor Jahangir's reign
- Jodha Bai was the longest serving Hindu Mughal Empress. Her tenure lasted for over 43 years
- Akbar's marriage with Heer Kunwari was more of a political alliance between the father of Jodha Bai and Akbar
- The marriage led to a much more favourable view of Hinduism by the emperor
- After marriage to Akbar, Heer Kunwari remained a Hindu
- She became one of the chief wives of Emperor Akbar after her marriage
- Though she remained a Hindu, Heer Kunwari was honoured with the title Mariam-uz-Zamani which means "Mary of the Age" after she gave birth to Jahangir
- Despite her being a Hindu, she held great honour in the Mughal household
- Apart from the title of Mariam-uz-Zamani, Jodha also held the titles of Mallika-e-Muezzama, Mallika-e-Hindustan and Wali Nimat Begam which means the Gift of God
- She used to issue official documents using the title of Wali Nimat Mariam-uz-Zamani Begum
- Jodha was known as Akbar's first and last love
- Akbar allowed Jodha to perform the customary Hindu rites in the royal palace. He also let her maintain a Hindu temple in the palace. In fact, Akbar too sometimes participated in the puja she performed
- Jodha Bai was reported to have been a very smart business woman, who ran an active international trade in spices, and silk
- She died in the year 1623. As per her wish, she was buried near her husband's grave.
For the original article with photos, please go to this site
- http://indiatoday.intoday.in/education/story/jodha-bai/1/487644.html
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