197: Mumtaz Mahal Empress Consort of the Mughal Empire Born: 27 April 1593, Present-day Agra, India Died: 17 June 1631, Present-day Burhanpur, India Original Name: Arjumand Banu Begum Her common name (Mumtaz Mahal) means “Beloved Ornament [or Jewel] of the Palace.” Her aunt on her father’s side was Nur-Jahan—who also became her mother-in-law and was…
195: Nur-Jahan The Only Female Acting Empress Regnant of the Mughal Empire Born: 31 May 1577, Kandahar, Present-day Afghanistan Died: 17 December 1645, Lahore, Present-day Pakistan She was the favorite wife of Jahangir (the actual emperor). Nur-Jahan married her first husband aged seventeen, but he was later executed for siding with the emperor’s enemies; leaving…