June 17
Mumtaz Mahal Dies in Childbirth
Mumtaz Mahal’s death in childbirth during a military campaign left Mughal emperor Shah Jahan devastated and prompted the construction of the Taj Mahal as her memorial.
Summary
Mumtaz Mahal, born Arjumand Banu Begum around 1593, married Prince Khurram (later Shah Jahan) in 1612 and became his constant companion during campaigns and court life in the Mughal Empire. She bore him fourteen children and wielded significant influence as empress after his accession in 1628. In 1631, while accompanying the emperor on a military expedition in the Deccan, she went into labor in Burhanpur and suffered fatal postpartum hemorrhage after delivering their fourteenth child. Shah Jahan was devastated by the loss; he ordered her body temporarily buried in Burhanpur before its later transfer to Agra, where construction of her mausoleum, the Taj Mahal, began the following year.
Context
In the early seventeenth century the Mughal Empire spanned much of South Asia under emperors Jahangir and his son Shah Jahan, a time marked by territorial expansion, administrative refinement, and patronage of architecture and the arts. Noble families supplied high officials and marriage alliances that shaped court politics; Mumtaz Mahal belonged to one such lineage, connected through her aunt Nur Jahan, Jahangir’s influential wife, and her father Asaf Khan, who rose to grand vizier.
What Happened
Shah Jahan ascended the throne in 1628 and soon conferred the title Mumtaz Mahal on his wife Arjumand Banu Begum. Three years later, while he conducted a campaign in the Deccan, the pregnant empress accompanied him to the fortress town of Burhanpur. On 17 June 1631 she gave birth to their fourteenth child and died shortly afterward from postpartum hemorrhage.
Aftermath
Shah Jahan ordered a temporary interment in Burhanpur. In January 1632 her body was transported to Agra, where construction of a permanent mausoleum began at once on the banks of the Yamuna River.
Legacy
The resulting Taj Mahal, completed after more than two decades, fused Persian, Islamic, and Indian architectural traditions into one of the most recognizable structures in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Mumtaz Mahal’s story continues to illustrate the personal dimensions of Mughal imperial life and the lasting cultural impact of royal patronage.
Why It Matters
Mumtaz Mahal's death prompted the creation of the Taj Mahal, one of the most enduring symbols of Mughal architectural achievement and imperial devotion, completed over two decades and now a UNESCO World Heritage site visited by millions annually. Her story underscores the personal dimensions behind grand historical monuments and the role of royal women in shaping Mughal cultural legacy.
Related Questions
Who was Mumtaz Mahal before she became empress?
She was born Arjumand Banu Begum into a prominent noble family connected to the Mughal court through her aunt Nur Jahan.
How many children did Mumtaz Mahal have?
She bore fourteen children to Shah Jahan, seven of whom reached adulthood.
Where did Mumtaz Mahal die?
She died in Burhanpur while accompanying Shah Jahan on a military campaign in the Deccan.
Why was the Taj Mahal built?
Shah Jahan commissioned it as a mausoleum for Mumtaz Mahal after her death in 1631.
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Sources
- Mumtaz Mahal | Children, Real Name, Facts, History, Tomb, Encyclopædia Britannica. Accessed 2026-07-12.