Badshah Begum
| Badshah Begum | |
|---|---|
Malika-uz-Zamani seated on her throne
|
|
| Empress and chief consort of Mughal | |
| Tenure | 9 December 1721 – 26 April 1748 |
| Padshah Begum of Mughal | |
| Tenure | 9 December 1721 – 1749 |
| Predecessor | Zinat-un-Nissa |
| Born | 1703 |
| Died | 1789 (aged 86) Delhi, India |
| Burial | Tis Hazari Bagh |
| Spouse | Muhammad Shah |
| Issue | Shahriyar Shah Bahadur |
| House | Timurid (by birth) |
| Father | Farrukhsiyar |
| Mother | Gauhar-un-Nissa Begum |
| Religion | Islam |
Badshah Begum (1703 - before 21 September 1789) was Empress of the Mughal Empire as the first wife and chief consort of Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah. It was through her efforts that her step-son, Ahmad Shah Bahadur, was able to ascend the Mughal throne.
Biography
Badshah Begum was born in 1703 as a Mughal princess and was the daughter of Mughal Emperor Farrukhsiyar and his first wife, Gauhar-un-Nissa Begum. Being a Mughal princess, Badshah Begum was well educated, intelligent and had been instructed in the nuances of ruling and diplomacy.
She married her cousin, Muhammad Shah in 1721 and was given the title of Malika-uz-Zamani ("Empress of the Age") and further, the exalted title of Padshah Begum. She bore her husband his first son, Shahriyar Shah Bahadur, who died in his childhood. After that she remained childless.[1]
She also took an interest in several aspects of the state and governance and an active part in matters of importance. Being the Emperor's chief wife, she was the most influential among all of her husband's wives and exercised her opinions on him.
Her husband later developed a passion for a dancing girl, Udham Bai, a woman of no refinement, and made her a wife of his. Though Badshah Begum remained his favourite. This marriage resulted in the birth of a son, Ahmad Shah Bahadur. This son was brought up by the Empress as though he were her own son. She loved him greatly, and he grew up to ascend the throne due to her efforts.[2]
Badshah Begum was greatly respected by the Court and the people as a Dowager Empress, even after the Emperor's death.[2] She died in 1789 at Delhi and was buried in Tis Hazari Bagh,
