I dont understand, why people just dismiss this serial JODHA AKBAR as pure fiction. I have been doing a lot of research on the story shown in this serial and surely its not only fiction. HATS off to the makers for doing such a great research on this subject.
The disclaimer which runs at the start does not say that its fiction but only that they dont guarantee the events shown are with utmost historicity, since they have to add some events. In any historical show, for sure 100% events can't be true, some element has to be added.
And , whatever I have written here, is not my imagination, but after reading, I must say 50-60 books, I could gather this much info with PROOF. i am still finding more. History mentions a lot on akbar but not on his first hindu wife maryam zamani/ harkha/jodha bai/. Just reading on internet never gives true picture, as people say anything , write anything as per their convenience. For ex: Wikipedia page on maryam zamani, has been changed several times,in last 3-4 months ..!!!
Regarding war, let me make it clear, Amer had a war with mughal forces in 1562. some of my friends on this forum said that there was no war. in ain-i-akbari, its clearly mentioned, the war did take place, and bharmal's son and 2 nephews and army, were taken hostage, by ajmer's subedar sharif-ud-din. ain-i-akbari, even mentions there names.
and it was jalal who insisted on marriage, because he wanted a 'guarantee' from rajputs for their loyalty. the marriage was in sambhar in feb 1562. Infact, initially it was his policy to have matrimonial alliances with rajputs for loyalty. Though this changed afterwards, as he realized, there promise meant a lot. He did not insisted on having marital alliance with ranthambore.
I will surely discuss his rajput policy in another post.
And chugtai khan, who was at time a subordinate to shari-ud-din, was the mediator in this political settlement. He was a friend of bharmal as shown, here, since once his life was saved by bharmal in 1556, during some war with afghans.
Regarding jodha changing akbar's attitude, let me inform that, she surely had an impact on his life. also, they surely loved each other. let me tell few of the reasons :
1. in akbar's era, lived an historian, Badayuni(perhaps 1 of his court historians), who has written in his memoirs displaying - "unhapiness at the development and harps on the role of akbar's FIRST rajput wife on his liberal religious policy, who has began to turn His Majesty into an infidel (kaafir) ".!!
clearly, it refers to his change in attitude, towards other religions.
2. moreover, a "fatwa", was issued against akbar by maulvis and ulemas, when they thought, that he was denouncing his own religion, as he had started worshipping sun, light and fire, even in mughal court!! (all hindu symbols).many more reasons, they will show this in the serial, I feel.
3. issued coins displaying ram sita on 1 side and his picture on another. (hindu belief)
4. also issued coins displaying sun on 1 side and his picture on another. (hindu belief)
5. his 1st rajput wife, maryam zamani / harka bai / heera kunwari / jodha bai (all 4 same person), was given incharge of the Haj department, seeing her interest in commercial affairs. (HAJ used to be a very very im[ortant dept. in those days)
6.She was given incharge of the ships used in overseas trade, after 1571, (from port of surat and khandesh), this made her really rich, something, which Jahangir also mentions in his memoirs.
7. in 1577-78, her biggest ship, named Rahimi was seized by the Portuguese, despite the ship having clearances and right to pass the waters . This really angered Akbar, since it was a blow to the queen's prestige and obviously his prestige too. The Portuguese, were asked to surrender the ship or face WAR!
At once, the ship was returned.
8. She was the only lady in entire Mughal history, to have a direct command over a cavalry(force of horsemen),(in hindi - ghudsawar) of 12,000 men..!!!
9. she was among one of the richest ladies in the Mughal court.
10. Findly explains in his memoirs- "By a farman of Badshah Jalal-ud-din(i don't know the year in which farman was given), she was known to receive a jewel from every nobleman "according to his estate" each year on the occasion of the New Year's festival.
Like only a few other women at court, Maryam-uz-Zaman was granted the right to issue official documents (farmans), usually the exclusive privilege of the emperor. So you can see that she was very powerful and had the emperor's ear at all times.
11. She was given a separate palace in agra also(not very big)(after residing in haram for some time). This palace was decorated with frescos of hindu gods. This is mentioned by Edmund Berke in his memoirs , when he visited Agra Fort. Later on, Shah Jahan destroyed many building in Agra Fort, to make new ones. Perhaps, this palace was also destroyed, since now it does not exists. In the serial also, they have shown akbar ordering for a new palace for jodha but let's see if he gives her a new palace for sure. Lets wait.
12. I could not find till now , authenticity of Ajmer yatra and that tiger scene, but still searching. Maybe I can get some info if its true. But, in press conference, the show director, mr. santram verma, in response of 1 question said, "regarding the tiger twist, that, its not fiction and this event did happened 450 years back. EVEN , HE URGED TO THE VIEWERS, NOT TO DISMISS THE ENTIRE SHOW AS FICTION." But, I ll try still to look for proofs.
13. In 1569(7 years after marriage), when she was pregnant with Salim, she was sent to Sikri near saint salim chisti's dwelling place.akbar too went there. There a palace called Rang Mahal was constructed for her by akbar, so she could be there with all the comforts as in Agra Palace. The palace is still there and one can see how beautifully it has been made. It was here Salim was born.
After this the capital was shifted from Agra to Fatehpur Sikri around 1569-70(in phases).
14. Now, the main event, of all the buildings in Fatehpur Sikri,in best condition is the spacious palace is of Maryam Zamani. It is one of the oldest surviving buildings in Fatehpur Sikri. The palace is still present.
" Mariam was a Hindu, and this palace in all its construction and nearly all its ornamentation belongs to the Hindu and Jaina styles of Mariam's native country, Rajputana. It even contains aHindu temple. It is also the most important of all the palaces, and Mariam, as mother of the heir-apparent, would take precedence of all the other wives.
On the left of the entrance is a small guard-house. A simple but finely proportioned gateway leads through a vestibule into the inner quadrangle. The style of the whole palace is less ornate than the other zanana buildings, but it is always dignified and in excellent taste. It must be remembered that the severity of the architectural design was relieved by bright colouring and rich *purdahs*, which were used to secure privacy for the ladies , and to diminish the glare of the sunlight.
Archologically its construction and ornamentation are very interesting. Many of the details are of Jain origin, and of the same type as the mixed Jain and Saracenic style, which was being developed about the same period in Gujarat. The arrangements of the palace are shown in the annexed plan. One of the most interesting features of the palace is the Hawa Mahal, a pavilion projecting from the north side, enclosed by pierced stone screens. from here the residents could enjoy the cool breezes and the view of the lake with the distant hills beyond, without being exposed to the vulgar gaze. The palace was formerly connected with Akbar's private apartments, Mahal-e-khas, by a covered way, supported on pillars, near the entrance. Akbar could directly visit this palace at any time. This was removed some years ago. "
--Compiled From memoirs of Edmund and Archaelogical Survey of India's handbook
He also constructed a beautiful house for his first wife, ruqaiyya, but it's not as grand and nicely placed,location wise, as maryam zamani's palace.
15. The latest Handbook of Archaelogical Survey of India for Fatehpur Sikri says, the Diwan-i- Khas, which Akbar constructed, has a Hindu Chamber for worshipping in the west corner of the building, on the second floor. This was probably used by Akbar for worshipping or his main Hindu consort.
16. on birth of his son, Danial in 1572, from his first Hindu wife, Maryam Zamani. he was born in ajmer dargah, at the place of sheikh danial. he was sent to Amer, after 8 days of birth, to be brought up Raja Bharmal's wife, so that he may attain etiquettes(obviously to be brought up in hindu traditions). This move was stiffly opposed by Mughal nobles, but akbar went ahead. Clearly, this shows, though he may have many wives, both Mughal and Rajput, but still Amer was somewhat more close to him.
I wonder how many of you knew of it. Atleast, for me it was tough to digest.!!
17. Again, while proceeding on a war in Gujarat in 1572-73, the city of Agra with the Imperial Haram , which was the residence of prominent Mughal ladies(akbar's mother, aunt, foster mothers, other wives, etc.), was stationed under control of Bharmal..!!!
It is said the war was to be a gamechanger in jalal's life. For the first and only time, a Mughal king, left his entire family/pride/whatever you say, in hands of a hindu king.this was because there was a danger of another attack from bihar and Bengal, simultaneously.
Clearly its A mark of great respect/love/belief or close ties with amer.
A fearsome battle was fought in Gujarat, where akbar life was once again rescued by bhagwant das and man singh. They arrived in time with reinforcements. Young prince Man singh led the army and bhagwan das fought/stood, side by side with akbar in entire battle. A force of 3000 warriors comprising some mughals and mostly rajput warriors defeated a force of 20,000 afghans!!! Shocking but true. Akbar recounts it in his memoirs as one of the most important battles in his life.
In this battle, bhagwan das's elder son, Bhupat Rai/ Bhupat Singh was killed.(They have not shown him in the serial till now, hope they will introduce him also.) Akbar made bhupat's killing a personal issue, and allowed Maryam Zamani to go to Amer for mourning Bhupat's death. Again, the outcry of mughal maulvis and ulemas and nobles was severe, as they indirectly accused akbar of giving large freedom to his hindu wife. But akbar again defied them and allowed her to go.
Now, he launched a manhunt for shah madad, foster brother of muhamed Husain mirza, who had killed bhupat. He was caught and personally beheaded by akbar.!!
Clearly, these events show that amer had great meaning in this life. But, akbar was such a big personality, that a lot has been written about him, his wars, but not about his personal
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