Prince Daniyal was the third surviving son of Akbar the great.His mother was a royal concubine of Akbar.Daniyal was born in September 1572 when Akbar was on an expedition to Gujarat.Akbar took his pregnant wife with him.On the way when he was crossing Ajmer Daniyal's mother could not withstand the journey as she was near childbirth.Akbar located the saint Daniyal's sacred house and left his wife there and continued his expedition.On the way, he got the news that a boy was born.He thanked God and named his son as Daniyal t0 honor the Saint.Akbar issued an order that when the kid was one-month-old, he should be conveyed to Amber to be taken care by the Rani.After six months, once the expedition was over Akbar picked up his son on his way back to Agra.
So Akbar sends Prince Daniyal only for 6months to Amber.
WHY AKBAR TOOK HIS PREGNANT WIFE TO GUJARAT
When Daniyal's mother was pregnant Akbar was planning on an expedition to Gujarat.This was crucial for the Mughals because there was confusion in Gujarat and an excellent opportunity for Akbar to capture it.Akbar was near Fatehpur Sikri when his other sons Salim and Murad were born.But since Gujarat was far away from the capital and regarding the safety of his pregnant wife he took her with him.Akbar's mother Hamida Banu, Aunt Gulbadan and other main begums also accompanied him may be to take care of his pregnant wife.But it was not practical to make all the royal ladies to stay in Saint Danial's house, So he took them to Gujarat.
when you start from Agra it is Amber, then Ajmer.If Akbar wanted to send Daniyal's mother to Amber, he would have dropped her on the way.But he crossed Amber and went to Ajmer.Saint Daniyal's residence was not selected when he was in Agra for Abul fazl had clearly stated:": one of the secluded ones had come near the childbirth and was unable to endure journey, so the auspicious house of Saint Daniyal was searched and made empty, and the lady was placed there."This clearly shows Akbar had no idea to leave his wife even in Ajmer, for only when the camp started from Ajmer to Gujarat the problem started.So Akbar had some other idea Abul Fazl has not revealed it.
AKBAR'S WISE DECISION OF SENDING DANIYAL TO AMBER:
To understand Akbar's idea, one should have a look at the entire route from Agra to Ajmer
When Akbar started from Agra, he did not have an idea to drop Daniyal's mother in Amber.To have a better understanding, one should see the route connecting Agra to Gujarat.
.Agra is quite far away and not safe for Daniyal as there was no responsible person in the harem.Amber was nearest to Ajmer.RajaBharamal and his family were always faithful to Akbar.One more fact is Raja Bharaml's daughter was with Akbar in Gujarat; it will make Akbar more confident.The other dynasties which had made matrimonial alliances with Akbar like Bikaner and Jaisalmer were far away.So the best decision is to transport Daniyal to Amber.
Udaipur is between Ajmer and Gujarat.The Rana of Udaipur was a deadly enemy of Akbar.Even when the camp crossed Udaipur Akbar was very cautious that the Rana did not create a problem. Akbar will not prefer his son to cross Udaipur and join him.So Daniyal was sent back from Ajmer.
Moreover, there was no elderly person to take care of the kid, since his mother and aunt were with him.Akbar always had a habit of handing over infants to elderly people, for Akbar feels they can rear them better.
I will narrate few incidents connected with it:
1)Shahjahan Akbar's grandson handed over to his first wife, Ruaqiya.
2)Akbar's first daughter Kannam handed over to Akbar's mother Hamida Banu.
3)Akbar's grandson Rustam handed over to his foster mother, Jiji Anga.
Similarly, for better care of his infant son, he had specified that Daniyal should be taken care by the Rani who was an elderly person.
WHY THE EVENT OF SENDING PRINCE DANIYAL TO AMBER WAS DOCUMENTED IN AKBARNAMA;
The first two incidences which I had mentioned above; Shah jahan-Ruqaiya, Kanam-Hamida Banu was not mentioned in Akbarnama, because all these events were personal and had occurred within his harem.Even Akbar's wedding with Ruqaiya was not documented in Akbarnama.But Salima Begums wedding with Bairam Khan was documented as it was an event outside the harem, known to the public.All the events within the harem were mentioned only by Akbar's son Jahangir in his autobiography.Akbarnama was an offical chronicle of Akbar's reign,while Jahangirnama was his autobiography.Rustam-Jiji Anga was mentioned in Akbarnama only at the time of Rustam's death. It was stated that Rustam being a weak kid was handed over to jijiAnga for better rearing but his life couldn't be saved.So only events which are known to outside world and has political significance is documented in Akbarnama.
WHAT POLITICAL SIGNIFICANCE THIS EVENT OF SENDING PRINCE DANIYAL TO AMBER HAS?
Akbar was honoring and showing respect to Raja Bharmal by sending Daniyal to Amber.This is noticed by the other Rajput clan's and it paves the way for them to becomes allies to the Mughal's. This is what Akbar wanted.He was able to use the Rajputs to conquer Hindustan without disturbing his economy.
MYTH: PRINCE DANIYAL WAS COMMITTED TO MARIAM ZAMANI:
There is no fact in any historical chronicle of Mughal era or even after the era that Daniyal was committed to Mariam Zamani. After the fake Jodha Akbar love story the event of sending Daniyal to Amber has been twisted and such a story had developed.
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