Study Guides/History/Aurangzeb's Wives and Family
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Who Was the Wife of Emperor Aurangzeb?

Aurangzeb (Alamgir) was the sixth emperor of the Mughal Empire, ruling for nearly 50 years. Unlike his predecessors, he led a relatively austere and orthodox life. However, he did marry several women, the most prominent of whom left a lasting architectural legacy.

Question (Click to Flip)

Did Aurangzeb build the Taj Mahal?

Answer

No. The Taj Mahal was built by his father, Emperor Shah Jahan. Aurangzeb built the Bibi Ka Maqbara, which looks like a smaller, less grand version of the Taj Mahal.

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Key Facts

Aurangzeb, despite his reputation as a ruthless orthodox ruler, was deeply affected by the death of Dilras Banu Begum.

Bibi Ka Maqbara is one of the very few grand monuments built during Aurangzeb's reign, as he generally opposed spending state treasury on extravagant architecture.

Dilras Banu Begum's tomb is located in Aurangabad.

1. The Chief Consort: Dilras Banu Begum

Dilras Banu Begum was the first and chief wife of Aurangzeb.

  • They were married in 1637 when Aurangzeb was a young prince.
  • She was a princess of the Safavid dynasty of Persia (Iran).
  • She was known to be proud, strong-willed, and highly influential in Aurangzeb's life. She bore him five children, including his eldest son, Muhammad Azam Shah.

2. The Taj of the Deccan (Bibi Ka Maqbara)

Dilras Banu Begum died tragically in 1657 due to complications after giving birth to her fifth child. She was given the posthumous title 'Rabia-ud-Daurani'. To honor her memory, Aurangzeb (and their son Azam Shah) commissioned a beautiful mausoleum in Aurangabad, Maharashtra. This monument is known as Bibi Ka Maqbara. Because it was modeled closely on the Taj Mahal (built by Aurangzeb's father, Shah Jahan), it is famously called the 'Taj of the Deccan'.

3. Other Notable Wives

  • Nawab Bai (Rahmat-un-Nisa): A Rajput princess from Kashmir, who gave birth to Muazzam (who later became Emperor Bahadur Shah I).
  • Aurangabadi Mahal: Another prominent wife of Aurangzeb.
  • Udaipuri Mahal: A concubine who later became his wife; she was a Georgian Christian slave girl who was deeply devoted to him in his old age.

Questions and Answers

Did Aurangzeb build the Taj Mahal?+

No. The Taj Mahal was built by his father, Emperor Shah Jahan. Aurangzeb built the Bibi Ka Maqbara, which looks like a smaller, less grand version of the Taj Mahal.

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