Maham Begum
| Maham Begum ماہم بیگم |
|
|---|---|
| Padshah Begum | |
| Empress consort of the Mughal Empire | |
| Tenure | 20 April 1526 – 26 December 1530 |
| Successor | Bega Begum |
| Born | early 16th century or late 15th century Khorasan |
| Died | 28 March 1534 |
| Burial | Agra, Mughal Empire |
| Spouse | Babur |
| Issue |
Humayun Mirza Barbul Mirza Faruq Mihr Jahan Begum Aisan Daulat Begum |
| House | Timurid (by marriage) |
| Religion | Shia Islam |
Maham Begam or Mahim Begum (died 28 March 1534; Persian: ماهم بیگم; meaning "My moon") was Empress of the Mughal Empire from 20 April 1526 to 26 December 1530 as the third wife and chief consort of Babur, the founder of the Mughal Empire and the first Mughal emperor.
Maham Begum is rightly counted as one of the initial Queens among the Mughals who could be placed on the pinnacle in view of her substantial role and attractive personality. Babur conferred her the superlative imperial title Padshah Begum. The title was first time used for her which was given to the first lady of the Court of Empire. Maham Begum is frequently mentioned in the Humayun Nama by her adoptive daughter Gulbadan Begum, who calls her 'lady and my Lady' (aka and akam).
Maham Begum's parentage is not mentioned in any of the contemporary chronicles. Princess Gulbadan Begum calls Khwaja Muhammad Ali as Uncle Muhammad Ali, and it is possible that he may have been Maham's brother. He was associated with Khost, and it is on record that Humayun visited his maternal grandparents in Khost. Babar speaks frequently of Khwaja Muhammad Ali as being employed in the government of Khost; as coming from Khost for orders, etc., and the mirzadas of Khost also are recorded as visiting the court. One of Maham's children was born in Khost. Babar frequently mentions an Abdu-l-malik Khosti, and he may be a connection of Maham. Abu'l-Fazl ibn Mubarak a vizier of the great Mughal emperor Akbar, and author of the Akbarnama, the official history of Akbar's reign wrote that Maham belonged to a noble family of Khorasan. He also stated that she was related to Sultan Husayn Mirza Bayqara, Padshah of Khorasan who belonged to Barlas tribe like her husband Babur, as he met her at his death. Maham Begum traced her descent from Sheikh Ahmad, of Jam. She would narrate to her son Humayun, stories connected with her ancestor and other renowned holy personages of his time. Princess Gulbadan Begum says that she was related to the owner of the Nauroz garden at Kabul which was laid by Ulugh Beg Miranshahi. Some considerations suggest that Maham Begum was a Dughlat Mughal, and of the family of Abdu-l-qadus.
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