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{{Short description|Mughal Empire title}}
{{Infobox official post
{{Infobox official post
|post = Padshah Begum
| post = Padshah Begum
|body = <br />the [[Mughal Empire]]
| body = <br />the [[Mughal Empire]]
|insignia =
| insignia =
|insigniasize = 120px
| insigniasize = 120px
|insigniacaption =
| insigniacaption =
|image = Shahnamah of Firdausi, late 18th century, Mughal, India.jpg
| image = Princess Jahanara aged 18, British Library, Add Or 3129, f.13v.jpg
|imagesize = 200px
| imagesize = 200px
|imagecaption = [[Badshah Begum]], the chief consort of Emperor [[Muhammad Shah]], who held the title of ''Padshah Begum''
| imagecaption = Mughal princess [[Jahanara Begum|Jahanara]], Padshah Begum during the reigns of Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb
|style = [[Her Imperial Majesty]]
| style = [[Her Imperial Majesty]]
|residence = [[Agra Fort]]
| residence = [[Agra Fort]]
|appointer = [[Mughal Emperors]]
| appointer = [[Mughal Emperors]]
|precursor =
| precursor =
|formation = 20 April 1526
| formation = 21 April 1526
|first = [[Maham Begum]]
| first = [[Maham Begum]]
|last = [[Zeenat Mahal]]
| last = [[Zeenat Mahal]]
|abolished = 14 September 1857
| abolished = 14 September 1857
|succession =
| succession =
}}
}}


'''Padshah Begum''' was a superlative [[wikt:Imperial|imperial]] [[title]] conferred upon the 'imperial' or 'First Lady' of the [[Mughal Empire]] and was considered to be the most important title in the [[Mughal Harem|Mughal harem]] or ''[[zenana]]''.<ref name="Findly">{{cite book|last1=Findly|first1=Ellison Banks|title=Nur Jahan, empress of Mughal India|url=https://archive.org/details/nurjahanempressm00find|url-access=limited|date=1993|publisher=Oxford University Press|location=New York|isbn=9780195360608|pages=[https://archive.org/details/nurjahanempressm00find/page/n107 95], 125}}</ref> This title can be equivalent with "empress" in English, but in only approximate terms in the Mughal context.
'''Padshah Begum''' ({{Lang-fa|پادشاه بیگم}}) was a superlative [[wikt:Imperial|imperial]] [[title]] conferred upon the empress consort or 'First Lady' of the [[Mughal Empire]] and was considered to be the most important title in the [[Mughal Harem|Mughal harem]] or ''[[zenana]]''.<ref name="Findly">{{cite book|last1=Findly|first1=Ellison Banks|title=Nur Jahan, empress of Mughal India|url=https://archive.org/details/nurjahanempressm00find|url-access=limited|date=1993|publisher=Oxford University Press|location=New York|isbn=9780195360608|pages=[https://archive.org/details/nurjahanempressm00find/page/n107 95], 125}}</ref> This title can be equivalent with "empress" in English, but in only approximate terms in the Mughal context.


== Etymology ==
== Etymology ==
'''[[Padishah|Padeshah]]''', '''Padshah''', '''Padishah''', or '''Badishah''' is a superlative royal title, composed of the Persian ''pād'' (master) and ''shāh'' (king), which was adopted by several monarchs claiming the highest rank, roughly equivalent to the ancient Persian notion of "The Great" or "Great King", and later adopted by post-Achaemenid and Christian Emperors. Its Arabized pronunciation as Badshah was used by Mughal emperors, and Bashah or Pasha was used by Ottoman Sultans.
'''[[Padishah|Padeshah]]''', '''Padshah''', '''Padishah''', or '''Badishah''' is a superlative royal title, composed of the Persian ''pād'' (master) and ''shāh'' (king), which was adopted by several monarchs claiming the highest rank, equivalent to that of an ancient Persian notion of "The Great" or "Great King", and later adopted by post-Achaemenid and Christian Emperors. Its Arabized pronunciation as Badshah was used by Mughal emperors, and Bashah or Pasha was used by Ottoman Sultans.


'''[[Begum]]''', '''begam''', '''baigum''' or '''beygum''' is a female royal and aristocratic title from Central and South Asia. It is the feminine equivalent of the title ''[[baig]]'' or ''[[bey]]'', which in Turkic languages means ''chief'' or ''commander''. It usually refers to the wife or daughter of a ''beg''.
'''[[Begum]]''', '''begam''', '''baigum''' or '''beygum''' is a female royal and aristocratic title from Central and South Asia. It is the feminine equivalent of the title ''[[baig]]'' or ''[[bey]]'', which in Turkic languages means ''chief'' or ''commander''. It usually refers to the wife or daughter of a ''beg''.
Line 52: Line 53:
|-
|-
![[Hamida Banu Begum]]
![[Hamida Banu Begum]]

⚫
|?
|1556
|1604
|1604
⚫
|
*Mother of [[Akbar]]
*Mother of [[Akbar]]
|-
![[Ruqaiya Sultan Begum]]
|1604
|1605
|
*Wife of [[Akbar]]
|-
|-
![[Saliha Banu Begum]]
![[Saliha Banu Begum]]
|1608
|1608
|1620
|1620
|
*Wife of [[Jahangir]]
*Wife of [[Jahangir]]
|-
|-
![[Nur Jahan|Noor Jahan]]
![[Nur Jahan]]
| 1620
| 1620
| 1627
| 1627
Line 87: Line 97:
| 1669
| 1669
|-
|-
! [[Zeenat-un-Nissa|Zeenat un Nissa]]
! [[Zinat-un-Nissa Begum]]
| 1681
| 1681
| 1721
| 1721
Line 108: Line 118:


== Historical usage ==
== Historical usage ==
The title of 'Padshah Begum' could only be bestowed upon the chief or principal wife, a sister, or a favored daughter of the Mughal emperor<ref>{{cite book|last=Aftab|first=Tahera|title=Inscribing South Asian Muslim Women: an Annotated Bibliography & Research Guide|year=2008|publisher=Brill|isbn=9789004158498|page=66|edition=[Online-Ausg.]}}</ref> and could not be held by more than one lady simultaneously.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Journal of the Numismatic Society of India, Volumes 20-21|year=1958|publisher=Numismatic Society of India|page=223}}</ref> This was evidenced by the fact that Emperor [[Jahangir]]'s wife, [[Nur Jahan]], could only be given the title after his chief wife, [[Saliha Banu Begum]] (the Padshah Begum for most of his reign), had died in 1620.<ref name="Findly" />
The title of 'Padshah Begum' could only be bestowed upon the chief or principal wife, a sister, mother, or a favored daughter of the Mughal emperor<ref>{{cite book|last=Aftab|first=Tahera|title=Inscribing South Asian Muslim Women: an Annotated Bibliography & Research Guide|year=2008|publisher=Brill|isbn=9789004158498|page=66|edition=[Online-Ausg.]}}</ref> and could not be held by more than one lady simultaneously.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Journal of the Numismatic Society of India, Volumes 20-21|year=1958|publisher=Numismatic Society of India|page=223}}</ref> This was evidenced by the fact that Emperor [[Jahangir]]'s wife, [[Nur Jahan]], could only be given the title after his chief wife, [[Saliha Banu Begum]] (the Padshah Begum for most of his reign), had died in 1620.<ref name="Findly" />


Where the consorts of the Mughal emperors were concerned, the title could only be bestowed upon the chief wife of the emperor. The title was first bestowed upon [[Maham Begum]], who was the chief wife of Emperor [[Babur]]. It was held by [[Bega Begum]] during the reign of [[Humayun]]. Jahangir bestowed this title upon his chief wife, [[Saliha Banu Begum]], and then to her successor (after her death), Nur Jahan Begum. Emperor [[Shah Jahan]] bestowed this title upon his chief wife, [[Mumtaz Mahal]] Begum but after she died, he bestowed it upon his daughter [[Jahanara Begum]], and Emperor [[Muhammad Shah]] bestowed this title upon his chief wife, [[Badshah Begum]].
Where the consorts of the Mughal emperors were concerned, the title could only be bestowed upon the chief wife of the emperor. The title was first bestowed upon [[Maham Begum]], who was the chief wife of Emperor [[Babur]]. It was held by [[Bega Begum]] during the reign of [[Humayun]]. Akbar, bestowed this title over his mother, [[Hamida Banu Begum]] who bore it until her death 1604.<ref>{{cite book |last=Badayuni|first=Abdul Qadir|volume=III|title=Muntakhab-ut-Tawarikh|quote=Begum Pädshāh, the mother of his Majesty, busied herself in the ladies' apartments of the palace in interceding for the Shaikh and said to the Emperor. My son, he has an aged and decrepit mother in Ajmer.}} </ref> And after his majesty mother death Emperor [[Akbar]] bestowed this title upon his first chief wife, [[Ruqaiya sultan Begum]]. Emperor Jahangir bestowed this title upon his chief wife, Saliha Banu Begum, and then to her successor (after her death), Nur Jahan. Emperor [[Shah Jahan]] bestowed this title upon his chief wife, [[Mumtaz Mahal]] but after she died, he bestowed it upon his daughter [[Jahanara Begum]]. Emperor [[Muhammad Shah]] bestowed this title upon his chief wife [[Badshah Begum]].


The title was also bestowed upon the daughter of the emperor, such as Emperor [[Shah Jahan]]'s daughter, Princess [[Jahanara Begum]] and Emperor [[Aurangzeb]]'s daughter, Princess [[Zinat-un-Nissa]], both of whom bore the title throughout their lives.<ref>{{cite book|last=Schimmel|first=Annemarie|title=The Empire of the Great Mughals: History, Art and Culture|year=2004|publisher=Reaktion Books|isbn=1861891857|page=[https://archive.org/details/empireofgreatmug00anne/page/152 152]|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/empireofgreatmug00anne/page/152}}</ref>
The title was also bestowed upon the daughter of the emperor, such as Emperor Shah Jahan's daughter, Princess Jahanara Begum, and Emperor [[Aurangzeb]]'s daughter, Princess [[Zinat-un-Nissa]], both of whom bore the title throughout their lives.<ref>{{cite book|last=Schimmel|first=Annemarie|title=The Empire of the Great Mughals: History, Art and Culture|year=2004|publisher=Reaktion Books|isbn=1861891857|page=[https://archive.org/details/empireofgreatmug00anne/page/152 152]|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/empireofgreatmug00anne/page/152}}</ref>
In some cases, the title was also bestowed upon the sister of the emperor. Such as in the case of Emperor [[Babur]]'s older sister, [[Khanzada Begum]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Schimmel|first=Annemarie|title=The Empire of the Great Mughals: History, Art and Culture|year=2004|publisher=Reaktion Books|isbn=1861891857|page=[https://archive.org/details/empireofgreatmug00anne/page/145 145]|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/empireofgreatmug00anne/page/145}}</ref> When the princesses held the title it meant "Empress amongst princesses".<ref>{{cite book|last=Butenschön|first=Andrea|title=The Life of a Mogul Princess: Jahānarā Begam, Daughter of Shāhjahān|year=1931|publisher=Taylor & Francis|page=221}}</ref>
In some cases, the title was also bestowed upon the sister of the emperor. Aurangzeb bestowed the title on his sisters [[Roshanara Begum]] and Jahanara Begum. When a Timurid Shahzadi held the title it meant "Empress amongst princesses".<ref>{{cite book|last=Butenschön|first=Andrea|title=The Life of a Mogul Princess: Jahānarā Begum, Daughter of Shāhjahān|year=1931|publisher=Taylor & Francis|page=221}}</ref>

== In popular culture==
* ''[[Badshah Begum (TV series)|Badshah Begum]]'', a 2022 Pakistani television drama based on the concept of Padshah Begum.<ref>{{cite web|website=DAWN Images|access-date=2022-02-25|url=https://images.dawn.com/news/1189518/with-no-saas-bahu-drama-in-sight-badshah-begum-wants-to-push-the-boundaries-of-television|title=With no saas-bahu drama in sight, Badshah Begum wants to push the boundaries of television|date=2022-02-16|author=Mohammad Kamran Jawaid}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
Line 123: Line 136:
==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
Begum Pädshāh, the mother of his Majesty, busied herself in the ladies' apartments of the palace in interceding for the Shaikh, and said to the Emperor. My son, he has an aged and decrepit mother in Ajmer,
Author of the Tabuna-i-Akbari.

2A grant in aid of livelihood.
138


[[Category:Titles]]
[[Category:Titles]]
[[Category:Persian words and phrases]]
[[Category:Persian words and phrases]]
[[Category:Women of the Mughal Empire]]
[[Category:Mughal royal consorts|*]]
[[Category:Titles in India]]
[[Category:Titles in India]]
[[Category:Titles of national or ethnic leadership]]
[[Category:Titles of national or ethnic leadership]]
[[Category:Mughal Harem]]

Revision as of 02:16, 27 July 2024

Padshah Begum of
the Mughal Empire
Mughal princess Jahanara, Padshah Begum during the reigns of Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb
StyleHer Imperial Majesty
ResidenceAgra Fort
AppointerMughal Emperors
Formation21 April 1526
First holderMaham Begum
Final holderZeenat Mahal
Abolished14 September 1857

Padshah Begum (Persian: پادشاه بیگم) was a superlative imperial title conferred upon the empress consort or 'First Lady' of the Mughal Empire and was considered to be the most important title in the Mughal harem or zenana.[1] This title can be equivalent with "empress" in English, but in only approximate terms in the Mughal context.

Etymology

Padeshah, Padshah, Padishah, or Badishah is a superlative royal title, composed of the Persian pād (master) and shāh (king), which was adopted by several monarchs claiming the highest rank, equivalent to that of an ancient Persian notion of "The Great" or "Great King", and later adopted by post-Achaemenid and Christian Emperors. Its Arabized pronunciation as Badshah was used by Mughal emperors, and Bashah or Pasha was used by Ottoman Sultans.

Begum, begam, baigum or beygum is a female royal and aristocratic title from Central and South Asia. It is the feminine equivalent of the title baig or bey, which in Turkic languages means chief or commander. It usually refers to the wife or daughter of a beg.

List of Padshah Begum

Padshah Begum Tenure Notes
From Until
Maham Begum 1526 1530
Bega Begum 1530 1540
1555 1556
Hamida Banu Begum 1556 1604
Ruqaiya Sultan Begum 1604 1605
Saliha Banu Begum 1608 1620
Nur Jahan 1620 1627
Mumtaz Mahal 1628 1631
Jahanara Begum 1631 1658
1669 1681
Roshanara Begum 1658 1669
Zinat-un-Nissa Begum 1681 1721
Badshah Begum 1721 1789
Zeenat Mahal 1840 1857

Historical usage

The title of 'Padshah Begum' could only be bestowed upon the chief or principal wife, a sister, mother, or a favored daughter of the Mughal emperor[2] and could not be held by more than one lady simultaneously.[3] This was evidenced by the fact that Emperor Jahangir's wife, Nur Jahan, could only be given the title after his chief wife, Saliha Banu Begum (the Padshah Begum for most of his reign), had died in 1620.[1]

Where the consorts of the Mughal emperors were concerned, the title could only be bestowed upon the chief wife of the emperor. The title was first bestowed upon Maham Begum, who was the chief wife of Emperor Babur. It was held by Bega Begum during the reign of Humayun. Akbar, bestowed this title over his mother, Hamida Banu Begum who bore it until her death 1604.[4] And after his majesty mother death Emperor Akbar bestowed this title upon his first chief wife, Ruqaiya sultan Begum. Emperor Jahangir bestowed this title upon his chief wife, Saliha Banu Begum, and then to her successor (after her death), Nur Jahan. Emperor Shah Jahan bestowed this title upon his chief wife, Mumtaz Mahal but after she died, he bestowed it upon his daughter Jahanara Begum. Emperor Muhammad Shah bestowed this title upon his chief wife Badshah Begum.

The title was also bestowed upon the daughter of the emperor, such as Emperor Shah Jahan's daughter, Princess Jahanara Begum, and Emperor Aurangzeb's daughter, Princess Zinat-un-Nissa, both of whom bore the title throughout their lives.[5]

In some cases, the title was also bestowed upon the sister of the emperor. Aurangzeb bestowed the title on his sisters Roshanara Begum and Jahanara Begum. When a Timurid Shahzadi held the title it meant "Empress amongst princesses".[6]

  • Badshah Begum, a 2022 Pakistani television drama based on the concept of Padshah Begum.[7]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Findly, Ellison Banks (1993). Nur Jahan, empress of Mughal India. New York: Oxford University Press. pp. 95, 125. ISBN 9780195360608.
  2. ^ Aftab, Tahera (2008). Inscribing South Asian Muslim Women: an Annotated Bibliography & Research Guide ([Online-Ausg.] ed.). Brill. p. 66. ISBN 9789004158498.
  3. ^ The Journal of the Numismatic Society of India, Volumes 20-21. Numismatic Society of India. 1958. p. 223.
  4. ^ Badayuni, Abdul Qadir. Muntakhab-ut-Tawarikh. Vol. III. Begum Pädshāh, the mother of his Majesty, busied herself in the ladies' apartments of the palace in interceding for the Shaikh and said to the Emperor. My son, he has an aged and decrepit mother in Ajmer.
  5. ^ Schimmel, Annemarie (2004). The Empire of the Great Mughals: History, Art and Culture. Reaktion Books. p. 152. ISBN 1861891857.
  6. ^ Butenschön, Andrea (1931). The Life of a Mogul Princess: Jahānarā Begum, Daughter of Shāhjahān. Taylor & Francis. p. 221.
  7. ^ Mohammad Kamran Jawaid (2022-02-16). "With no saas-bahu drama in sight, Badshah Begum wants to push the boundaries of television". DAWN Images. Retrieved 2022-02-25.
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