11 Facts About Bega Begum

Bega Begum was a wise, well educated woman and had profound knowledge of medicine and treatment.

Bega Begum subsequently came to India for the first time, while accompanying her husband.

In 1531, Bega Begum announced her second pregnancy to the imperial family after arriving in Agra from Kabul.

In 1539, Bega Begum accompanied her husband to Chausa, Bengal, where she was taken as a prisoner by Sher Shah Suri, after a well developed surprise attack on the Mughal territory by Sher Shah's forces.

Bega Begum blamed himself, confessing to his younger brother Hindal Mirza, 'In the earlier disturbance, Aqiqa Bibi [his daughter] had disappeared and I suffered from everlasting regret why I had not killed her myself' [lest she fall into the enemy's hands], a sentiment that his brother entirely endorsed.

Bega Begum took an active interest in the affairs of the state.

Bega Begum undertook a pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina for Hajj in 1564, but before starting on her absence from the Court for three years, she made arrangements for the construction of the mausoleum at her own cost.

Bega Begum returned from Hajj in 1567, then led a retired life at Delhi and supervised the project.

Bega Begum was interested in patronizing education and so she established a madrasa near the mausoleum.

Bega Begum was responsible for the construction of the Arab Sarai near the tomb.

Bega Begum died in 1582 in Delhi, after a brief illness, and was mourned by her step-son, the Emperor Akbar; whom she shared an extremely close relationship with.