GLEAMS UNRAVELLED

Provoked to write this blog after watching the movie “Jodha Akbar “. (Similarities to Sharma and Symonds regretted :) )

The history of Mughal Emperors is quite astounding.
I learnt history in school, but none seemed to teach me all these.
The list of emperors goes like below.

BABUR -- HUMAYUN -- AKBAR -- JAHANGIR – SHAHJAHAN – AURANGAZEB—BAHADUR SHAH --- …

None of these emperors lived with single wife. I guess it is a shame for them if they had only one wife earlier. Starting from the story of Akbar.

Akbar was the greatest emperor among the Mughal emperors.
He has done a lot of good to people and so is highly honored.
Akbar married three Mughal princesses and one Rajput princess. Total Count =4 :)
Her name was Mariam-uz-Zamani née Hira Kunwari and was also known as Jodha Bai, not in her lifetime but later.
According to the film “Jodha Akbar” their love is great,pure, gentle and Akbar not only won people’s heart being a good king but also his wife’s heart. Wow...

Next comes his son Jahangir. He is also known as Salim.
Now everyone knows Salim –Anarkali story.
Anarkali was a normal courtress. But still Salim liked her because she was very beautiful.Akbar was against their love and some sad incidents happened and it ended Salim Anarkali story.
Jahangir had three wives then. History quotes one of his favorite wives is Princess Manmathi who is Shahjahan’s mother. But even after this Jahangir was attracted towards Nur Jahan because of her appealing beauty.
Salim – anarkali Salim –manmathi Salim –Nur Jahan .
All three are pure love ;)

Succeeding him comes the hero of the Mughal kingdom Shahjahan .He is very famous for he built a mahal in memory of his love Mumtaz. But he had 2 wives before marrying Mumtaz and 6 wives after Mumtaz. 2+1+6. Yea you got it right. Its 9.
But Shahjahan – Mumtaz love is said to one of the greatest love in the history
And Taj Mahal is a symbol of love built by a person who had 9 wives.

Shahjahan was succeeded by his son Aurangzeb who had only four wives. The count has considerably reduced in his period. No offence meant.

And controversy about Jodha being Akbar’s daughter –in –law rather his wife. History says Jodha was never known as Jodha Bai in her lifetime. One of Jahangir’s wives was also known as Jodh Bai. (shahjahan's mother )
And only because of this confusion, this controversy has spread.

Now which is pure love, which is true love and which is the greatest love ???
History rocks!