Bega Begum
| Bega Begum | |
|---|---|
| Empress consort of the Mughal Empire | |
| Tenure | 26 December 1530 – 17 May 1540 22 February 1555 – 27 January 1556 |
| Predecessor | Maham Begum |
| Successor | Ruqaiya Sultan Begum |
| Born |
c. 1511 Khurasan, Persia |
| Died | 17 January 1582 (aged 71) Delhi, India |
| Burial | Humayun's Tomb, Delhi |
| Spouse | Humayun |
| Issue |
Al-aman Mirza Aqiqa Sultan Begum |
| House | Timurid (by marriage) |
| Father | Yadgar Beg |
| Mother | Diksha Begum |
| Religion | Islam |
Bega Begum (c. 1511 – 17 January 1582) was Empress of the Mughal Empire from 26 December 1530 to 17 May 1540 and 22 February 1555 to 27 January 1556 as the first wife and chief consort of the second Mughal emperor Humayun. Bega was also known as Haji Begum after she performed the Hajj pilgrimage.
She began the tradition of commissioning monuments in the Mughal Empire, when she had her husband's mausoleum commissioned in the late 16th century, Humayun's Tomb at Delhi. This first colossal monumental mausoleum in Islamic India can be considered an early masterpiece that was to decisively influence the design of the later Taj Mahal, the high point of Mughal architecture.
Bega Begum was a Persian from Khurasan and was the daughter of Humayun's maternal uncle (taghai), Yadgar Beg, who was the brother of Sultan Ali Mirza, father of Kamran Mirza's wife Gulrukh Begum. She was a wise, well educated woman and had profound knowledge of medicine and treatment also.
Bega married her first cousin, Prince Nasir ud-din (later known as 'Humayun' upon his accession) in 1527. The marriage took place while Humayun was in Badakshan during his second term as Viceroy of the province (1527-1529). In November of 1528, she gave birth to Humayun's first child and son, Shahzada Al-aman Mirza. The imperial couple were tremendously congratulated by the Emperor Babur on the birth of an heir, although the connotation of his name, 'Al-aman', he thought ominous. The prince died in his infancy.
Upon Emperor Babur's death in December 1530, Humayun ascended the throne at twenty three-years of age, while Bega was just nineteen when she became empress. She subsequently came to India for the first time, while accompanying her husband. Bega was held in high regard by Humayun throughout his life and remained his favourite as well as his chief consort until his death.
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Wikipedia