Jahanara Begum was a remarkable Mughal princess who dedicated her life to her father, Emperor Shah Jahan. Born in 1614, she was the eldest daughter of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal.
Unlike most princesses of her time, Jahanara played a crucial role in the Mughal Empire, becoming the Padishah Begum or First Lady after her mother's death.
She was highly educated, well-versed in Persian literature, and deeply spiritual. A devoted follower of Sufism, she called herself a "Faqirah" (ascetic).
She was also an accomplished writer and a patron of the arts and architecture. One of her most famous contributions was designing Chandni Chowk in Delhi, a vibrant marketplace that still exists today. She even owned a ship for trade, showing her sharp business acumen.
Jahanara was closest to her brother Dara Shikoh and stood by her father when he was imprisoned by her other brother, Aurangzeb. She lived a simple life in her later years and chose to be buried under an open sky with just grass covering her tomb.
Her epitaph reads: "Let no one cover my grave except greenery, for even grass suffices for the poor." Jahanara's legacy remains a tale of strength, wisdom, and devotion.
