Jagat Gosain
Manavati Bai entered the world on the 13th of May 1573 within the Rathore clan of Marwar. Her father was Raja Udai Singh, known to his people as Mota Raja or the fat king. This ruler governed a region that would become present-day Jodhpur in Rajasthan. Her mother was Rajavat Kachvahi Manrang Devi, daughter of Raja Askaran of Narwar. The family history stretched back to Maldeo Rathore, who transformed Marwar into a powerful kingdom resisting foreign rule. Maldeo refused alliances with either the Sur Empire or the Mughal Empire after Humayun regained control of North India in 1555. His son Chandrasen continued this policy until Emperor Akbar's army occupied Merta in 1562 and Jodhpur in 1563. A fratricidal war for succession erupted after Maldeo died in 1562. Chandrasen crowned himself in the capital but his reign ended when Akbar took the city two years later. Rao Chandrasen died in January 1581, bringing Marwar under direct Mughal administration. Akbar restored the throne to Udai Singh in August 1583, marking a shift from resistance to cooperation.
Prince Salim first noticed the young princess while attending a function with senior women of the Mughal harem. He proposed marriage immediately upon seeing her. Emperor Akbar hesitated to give consent until Hamida Banu intervened on their behalf. The union between the sixteen-year-old Prince Salim and Manavati Bai occurred on the 11th of January 1586. The marriage settlement was fixed at seventy-five lakhs tankas. Akbar personally accompanied by ladies of the harem went to the Raja's house where the ceremony took place. The event featured Hindu fire ceremonies with Sanskrit verses chanted by priests alongside Muslim proprieties observed by Qadi officials. Military and civilian dignitaries filled the gathering space. Rana Kalyan Das Rathore, Jagat's paternal cousin, took offense at this alliance. He remarked angrily that the Mota Raja had betrayed their people. When Udai Singh heard this comment, he informed Akbar who ordered Kalyan Das killed. Kalyan Das fled to Siwana but proved too strong for Udai Singh's sons Bhopat and Jaisingh. Udai Singh received permission to leave the imperial camp after his defeat. He returned to Marwar and led forces against Siwana himself. Kalyan Das performed Jauhar with his wives before leading men to die fighting. This victory secured Siwana for Mota Raja. The marriage served the cause of the house of Marwar effectively.
Jagat Gosain gave birth to her first child Begum Sultan in 1590. That daughter died at age one in September 1591. On the 5th of January 1592 she delivered Salim's third son named Khurram meaning joyous. Emperor Akbar personally named the boy and insisted on raising him under his own care rather than leaving him with Prince Salim. Khurram was placed under Ruqaiya Begum, Akbar's first wife, who resided within Akbar's harem. She raised the prince affectionately throughout his childhood years. After Akbar died in 1605, the young prince returned to his father's household. He came back to the supervision of his mother whom he cared for deeply. Jahangir designated her Hazrat in his court chronicles during these intervening years. Jagat had given birth to her third child Luzzat-un-Nissa in 1597. That daughter also died in infancy shortly after birth. Her son Khurram would eventually succeed Jahangir as emperor Shah Jahan. He remained devoted to his mother throughout their lives together.
Historical accounts suggest Jagat Gosain lost her husband's favor quite early in their marriage according to Findly. S. S. Gupta argues she remained the favorite wife until Nur Jahan arrived in the imperial harem. Jahangir married Nur Jahan in 1611 and from that moment until his death she became indisputably his favorite wife. Even before this union, Saliha Banu Begum held the position of chief consort known as Padshah Begum. This title passed to Nur Jahan only after Saliha Banu died in 1620. The Jahangiri Mahal at Agra Fort served as Jagat Gosain's residence chosen by Jahangir himself. Its west side featured oblong niches containing portraits of Hindu deities forming a temple space for her use. She was scornful toward her arch-rival Nur Jahan who rose to power within the court. The decline of Rajput influence on the Mughal court followed both her death and the retirement of Mariam-uz-Zamani. Her personal wit courage and spontaneity had endeared her to her husband during early years but political dynamics shifted dramatically.
Jahangir built the Kanch Mahal sometimes called Jodh Bai's Mahal located at Sikandra specifically for Jagat Gosain. F.J. McBride documented this structure in his 1940 work on Sikandra history. The area now called Taj Ganj in Agra is said to be named in her honor. She founded a village named Sohagpura dedicated entirely to manufacturing glass bangles. These architectural projects reflected her status and influence within the empire. The Kanch Mahal stood as a testament to their relationship before political winds changed direction. Her name appeared on official documents after her death as Bilqis Makani meaning the Lady of Pure Abode. This posthumous title honored her memory across all imperial records. The structures commissioned in her name demonstrated Jahangir's initial devotion before later conflicts arose.
During her stay at Fatehpur Sikri in 1619 Jagat Gosain fell ill with no treatment proving effective. She died on the 8th of April 1619 at Akbarabad which is present-day Agra. Shah Jahan became inconsolable upon hearing news of his mother's passing. For twenty-one days he attended no public entertainment while subsisting on simple vegetarian meals. Arjumand Banu personally supervised food distribution to the poor during the three-week mourning period. She led recitation of the Holy Quran every morning throughout this time. Arjumand Banu gave her husband lessons on life and death substance begging him not to grieve excessively. Jahangir ordered that she be called Bilqis Makani in all official documents following her death. Her tomb was originally buried in Dehra Bagh near Noor Manzil now known as Arjun Nagar in Agra. The square building measured seventy-eight feet on each side featuring a high dome gateways towers and garden. Gunpowder destroyed the entire structure in 1832 for its stone and brick materials needed by British forces. In 1921 a chhatri marked the site using designs from the Archeological Superintendent Office. This memorial cost about Rs 200 funded by the Maharajadhiraja of Burdwan.
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Common questions
When was Jagat Gosain born and what was her family background?
Jagat Gosain entered the world on the 13th of May 1573 within the Rathore clan of Marwar. Her father was Raja Udai Singh who governed a region that would become present-day Jodhpur in Rajasthan.
Who married Jagat Gosain and when did their union take place?
Prince Salim later known as Emperor Jahangir married Jagat Gosain on the 11th of January 1586. The marriage settlement was fixed at seventy-five lakhs tankas and the ceremony featured both Hindu fire ceremonies and Muslim proprieties.
Which child of Jagat Gosain eventually became emperor Shah Jahan?
Jagat Gosain delivered her third son Khurram meaning joyous on the 5th of January 1592. This prince succeeded his father Jahangir as emperor Shah Jahan and remained devoted to his mother throughout their lives together.
What happened to the tomb originally built for Jagat Gosain in Agra?
Her tomb was originally buried in Dehra Bagh near Noor Manzil now known as Arjun Nagar in Agra. Gunpowder destroyed the entire structure in 1832 for its stone and brick materials needed by British forces.
Why did Jagat Gosain lose favor with Emperor Jahangir during her lifetime?
Historical accounts suggest she lost her husband's favor quite early in their marriage according to Findly. S. S. Gupta argues she remained the favorite wife until Nur Jahan arrived in the imperial harem in 1611.