Maham Anga was the wife of Mughal Emperor Humayun’s foster brother Nadeem Khan and was his sister-in-law through the same relationship.
After the defeat of Sher Shah Suri, Humayun and his wife Hamida Bano Begum went to Persia (Iran) for political support and Nadeem Khan was with them. Along with his two sons, Quli Khan and Udham Khan, his wife also had the care of Akbar, the infant heir of the Mughal Empire.
Although Mahim Anga did not breastfeed Akbar, she was the head of ten women who nursed and cared for him.
Among them was Jiji Anga, whose husband Shamsuddin Muhammad Khan alias Atga Khan (foster father) had once saved Humayun’s life.
The Akbar Nama mentions how ‘Jiji Anga, who sat in the dome of purity, who wore the veil of purity, was sad because of the opposition of other women who used to complain to Hazrat Jahanbani Jannat Ash’ani (Hamayun) that she casts spell so that the prince does not pay attention to anyone’s milk except hers.
Going a little further, Abul Fazl writes an incident in the words of Akbar. One year and three months old Akbar was then in Kandahar. One day, Mahim Anga, who used to live in the care and service of this Iqbal’s new plant (Akbar), asked (Humayun’s brother) Mirza Askari that it is the custom of the elders that when the time comes for the son to walk on his feet, the father Or the elder father or the person who can be his deputy takes off his turban and beats the son when he walks.
Hazrat Jahanbani (Hamayun) is not present, you are an elderly father in his place. Mirza immediately took off his turban and threw it at me and I fell down.’
Akbar was 13 years old when Humayun returned to India to regain his kingdom. On returning to Delhi, the royal ladies stayed in Kabul, Mahim Anga came with them.
Humayun died the following year. Mahim Anga was present when the 14-year-old Akbar was crowned emperor by his general Bairam Khan and appointed himself Vakil-e Sultanat (Prime Minister).
General Bairam Khan crowned Akbat at the age of 14
Akbar called him ‘Khan Baba’ and he was also his paternal uncle. When the royal ladies came to Agra from Kabul at the behest of Akbar, it was Anga who welcomed them outside the city.
Bairam Khan was apprehensive of Mahim Anga’s closeness to the emperor as she was gradually increasing her influence over the young ruler.
But before Bairam Khan could do anything about it, Mahim Anga persuaded Akbar to send Bairam Khan on a pilgrimage to Mecca.
Thus technically (though not officially) he was exiled. Bairam Khan was powerless. In 1561 Mubarak Khan was killed by a group of Afghans under the leadership of Lohani while traveling from Gujarat.
Luhani’s father was killed fighting with the Mughals in 1555 at the Battle of Machhiwada.
Muhammad Hussain Azad writes in Darbar-e-Akbari that “the enemies of Khan Khanan (Baram Khan) were many, but Maham Begum, Adham Khan, his son, Shahab Khan, his son-in-law, and many relatives were such that inside and outside There was an opportunity for all kinds of submissions.’
Akbar believed in their rights and that of their families. Whoever got a chance among them used to incite that he considered the Holy Prophet as a child and did not take him into consideration. Rather, he says that I put him on the throne. I can pick up when I want and make whoever I want sit down.’
Khan Khanan saw that the color of the court was colorless. Wrote the petition. That those who serve this dargah faithfully and sincerely, there is no evil in the heart of the slave, etc.
He further writes that ‘here the work had gone too far. The writing had no effect. Shahabuddin Ahmed Khan became an absolute lawyer outside, Maham started issuing orders sitting inside. And made it known that Khan Khanan came under the wrath of Holy Prophet. The nobles and servants of the court who were with the khans in Agra.
Get up and run to Delhi. The people holding hands started to separate and walk separately. They will give Jagirs and services.’
Welcoming Adham Khan Akbar, son of Mahim Anga
Abul Fazl writes a decree of several pages in the Akbar Nama that ‘the name of this deprived division was issued from the court. Once there was a fight between Shahi Lashkar and Bairam Khan, but all historians unanimously write that Bairam Khan had no intention of mischief. When he saw the cloister of the royal tent, he got off his horse.’
‘He unsheathed the sword from his armor and put it around his neck, tied his hands with a belt, took off the turban from his head and wrapped it around his neck. When they reached the tent, Akbar also stood up after hearing the news. Khan Khanan ran and put his head on his feet and started crying.
The king also played in his lap. Tears came out. He picked him up and hugged him and sat him on his right side. Open your hands. Put the dastar on the head. After an hour, Akbar said, “Khan Baba, now there are three situations. The first is that if you want to win the government, then take the district of Chand Yeri and Kalpi.” Go there and reign.’
The second is that if you like companionship, then stay with me, the respect that was yours and it will not make a difference.
And the third is that if Hajj is intended, Bismillah, the departure equipment will be sufficient. Chandiri is yours. We will deliver your goods wherever you want.
Khan Khanan said that now life is over and there is no lust left. If there is a desire, then this is to go to the abode of God and pray for the life and wealth of the Holy Prophet.
Therefore, the matter of Hajj was established. Holy Prophet gave special Khilaat and special horse. Haji Muhammad Khan Sistani was a three-thousand-year-old amir, his companion and old friend. The king provided an army to protect the road.’
‘There was a Kashmiri Bibi in Salim Shah’s neighborhood. Salim Shah had a daughter from her. She went on Hajj with the army of Khan Khanan. She was very fond of Khan Khanan’s son Mirza Abdul Rahim. And that boy was also very moved by her and Khan Khanan wanted to marry the girl to his son, Mirza Abdul Rahim.’
Afghans were very angry about this. One day he got off the boat at sunset for prayer. Mubarak Khan Lohani came forward with 30, 40 Afghans. It is obvious that they have come to the meeting. Bairam Khan called with sincerity and honesty. This Nambarak came to him under the pretext of shaking hands and struck a dagger on the back that came out across the chest. Another tyrant hit the sword on the head and the job was done.’
People asked Nambarak what was the reason for this anger, said that our father was killed in the battle of Machhiwada, we took revenge for him.
Akbar ordered that Adham be thrown from a height of 10 feet but he survived, Akbar ordered that Adham be thrown from the roof from his head. This time Adham Khan did not survive
Maham Anga became the viceroyalty
Bairam Khan’s assassination meant that Mahim Anga could exercise almost unparalleled influence in the Mughal court.
Many nobles pledged their allegiance to Mahimanga and received substantial rewards in return. She was intelligent and capable. The royal household and harem were in his hands, so he soon took over the affairs of Akbar’s court.
She became the young emperor’s political advisor and possibly the second most powerful figure in the Mughal Empire.
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Daee Anga Built a mosque and madrassa for women
In 1561, Mahim Anga built a women-only building called Khairul Manazil, which housed a mosque and madrasah.
Bron Ghosh, who writes on historical buildings, believes that this building, built right in front of Humayun’s Din Panah Fort (now the Old Fort) and immediately after the Red Gate of Sher Shah Suri, is a reflection of Maham Inga’s ambitions. The words of this meaning are embossed in the Persian language on the Sadrdarwaze:
‘In the reign of Jalal-ud-din Muhammad (Akbar) it was built by the virtuous Maham Beg (Inga) and the good man Shahab-ud-din Ahmad Khan (Inga’s son-in-law) helped in this good work.’
Ghosh writes that ‘on the upper floor, the madrasa rooms and courtyards are behind curtains, indicating that the madrasa was for girls only and the mosque was for women only.
The cistern in the middle of the courtyard was once filled with water and used for ablution. There are no towers. The walls will have Central Asian style paintings and blue tiles. There are also signs of calligraphy.’
Mahim Anga and Adham Khan were buried in this 16th century mausoleum in Delhi, also known as ‘Bhol Bhalian’.
The fall of Mahim Anga
Mahim Anga’s downfall was not because of herself but by her son.
While Mahim Anga was increasing her support, Adham Khan was reaping the fruits of her labour. He had direct access to Emperor Akbar and life was carefree.
Thanks to Mahim Anga, Adham Khan became the general of the Mughal army. In 1561, the Mughal army conquered Malwa in the Battle of Sarangpur, but Adham Khan kept most of the booty.
Akbar did not punish Pradham Khan as per Mahim Anga but gave the command of this area to Pir Muhammad Khan.
In November 1561, Akbar appointed Ataga Khan, the husband of his favorite general Jiji Inga, as prime minister. This move angered Mahim Anga.
On 16 May 1562, Adham Khan along with his companions attacked him and killed him. Adham then ran to Zannah (inside), where a eunuch stopped by Nimat.
At the same time, Akbar was awakened from his sleep by all the chaos and the screams of the panic-stricken people. came out and caught Adham.
Adham tries to explain his crime, but Akbar knocks him down with a punch.
He then ordered Adham to be thrown from the roof of a one-storied building which was about 10 feet high. Adham was still alive after the fall.
Akbar ordered that Adham be thrown from the roof once again on his head. This time Adham Khan did not survive.
Akbar himself conveyed this news to Mahim Anga, who reportedly replied, ‘You have done well.’ But the death of Adham Khan affected him greatly and he died shortly after.
Mahim Anga’s second son Quli Khan was probably not a part of all these activities, living peacefully during Akbar’s reign.
Sir Syed Ahmed Khan has also mentioned about losing his way inside this building called ‘Bhol Bhalian’
Maze
Akbar ordered a mausoleum to be built for the burial of his foster mother Mahim Anga and his foster brother Adham Khan.
In 1830, a British officer made this tomb his residence and removed the graves. It was also used as a rest house, police station and post office.
It was the Viceroy and Governor General of India, Lord Curzon, who restored the tomb. With their efforts, the remains of Adham Khan reached back to this place. However, Maham Inga’s remains were never found.
This tomb is made of lime and stone, north of Qutb Minar in Mehroli, south of Delhi.
Sir Syed Ahmad Khan writes about this building in Athar al-Sanadid: ‘There is a staircase in one of its walls. The wall of the tower is built in such a way that it can be surrounded again.’
‘There is such a deception in it at one point that a man thinks that he will descend by the way I go, although on the contrary the way down is hidden from view in a corner.’
“One starts on the same path and then climbs up, and for this reason, the name of Bhol Bhalyan, which means losing one’s place, has become famous.”
One of the first mausoleums built under Mughal rule, imperial in size, but devoid of any carvings and symbols of lostness, this mausoleum is perhaps a metaphor for the decline of the figures buried here, the third emperor. Jalaluddin was the most powerful in Akbar’s cour
