15 Facts About Badshah Begum

Badshah Begum is popularly known by her title Malika-uz-Zamani which was conferred upon her by her husband, immediately after their marriage.

Badshah Begum was a second-cousin of her husband and was a Mughal princess by birth.

Badshah Begum was the daughter of Mughal emperor Farrukhsiyar and his first wife, Gauhar-un-Nissa Begum.

Badshah Begum wielded major political influence in the Mughal court during her husband's reign and was his most influential wife.

Badshah Begum was the daughter of the later Mughal emperor Farrukhsiyar and his first wife, Gauhar-un-Nissa Begum.

Badshah Begum was therefore a second cousin of her husband through her father.

Badshah Begum bore her husband his first son, Shahriyar Shah Bahadur, who died in his childhood.

Badshah Begum took an interest in several aspects of the state and governance and played an active part in matters of importance.

Muhammad Shah 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.

Badshah Begum loved him greatly, and he grew up to ascend the throne due to her efforts.

Badshah Begum commissioned elegant mansions in Jammu and, in typical Mughal style, laid the foundations of pleasure gardens on the banks of the Tawi River.

Badshah Begum, concealing the news of his death, sent messages to her step-son Ahmad Shah Bahadur, who was in camp with Safdar Jang near Panipat to return to Delhi and claim the throne.

Badshah Begum was greatly respected by the court and the people as a Dowager, even after the Emperor's death.

Bidar Bakht was the step-son of Badshah Begum, who wanted to see Shah Alam deposed because his father Alamgir II had blinded and killed her step-son Ahmad Shah Bahadur to seize the throne in 1754.

Badshah Begum died in 1789 in Delhi and was buried in the Tis Hazari Bagh.