J Jahan Ara ▶ Jahānārā Begum Jahanara Begum ▶ Jahānārā Begum Jahānārā Begum Claire Robison Department of Religious Studies, South Asian Religions, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, USA Synonyms Jahan Ara; Jahanara Begum; Shahzādī Jahānārā Bēgam Ṣāḥib Definition Jahānārā Begum (1614–1681) played a central role in Mughal domestic politics throughout her life and is most known for her writings, excep- tional patronage of building projects, and Ṣūfī affiliations. She was the eldest daughter of Mughal Emperor Shāh Jahān and sister of Dārā Shikoh and Aurangzīb. In the Mughal Royal Family Jahānārā Begum (1614–1681) was the eldest daughter of Mughal Emperor Shāh Jahān and his favorite wife, Mumtāz Mahal. She received extensive education in Arabic, Quranic studies, and Persian prose and poetry (1, 2). Upon the death of Mumtāz in 1631, Jahānārā took the place of her mother as head of the imperial zenana and effectively became First Lady of the empire (11). She played a central role in Mughal domestic politics throughout her life and is most known for her Ṣūfī affiliations, writings, and exceptional patronage. Jahānārā was favored by Shāh Jahān over his other daughters and granted the titles Sāḥibat al- Zamāni (Lady of the Age) and Pādshāh Begum (Empress). She came to ally with her eldest brother, the crown prince Dārā Shikoh (1615–1659), who also received the clear favor of their father (11). Both Jahānārā and Dārā Shikoh extensively patronized the arts and shared an interest in Ṣūfī traditions. Their natural alliance grew in importance during the “war of succes- sion” in 1657–1659, when, in response to Shāh Jahān falling ill and Dārā Shikoh assuming the role of regent, a force led by their younger brother # Springer Science+Business Media B.V., part of Springer Nature 2018 Z. R. Kassam et al. (eds.), Islam, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism, Encyclopedia of Indian Religions, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-024-1267-3