Ruqaiya Sultan Begum | First Wife of Akbar

Ruqaiya Sultan Begum Early Life

Ruqaiya Sultan Begum was born in 1542 in an orthodox Muslim Family. Timurid dynasty as a Mughal princess. Ruqaiya’s oldest paternal uncle was the second Mughal emperor Humayun (who later became her father-in-law as well). Ruqaiya was the first cousin of her husband and was a Mughal princess by birth. Her father Hindal Mirza was the youngest brother of Akbar’s father, Humayun. 

Born	c. 1542, India
Death	1626 (Aged 84), Agra Mughal Empire
Tomb	Babur Garden, Kabul, Afghanistan
Parents	Hindal Mirza > Sultanam Begum

Marriage 

Ruqaiya and Akbar’s wedding took place near Jalandhar, Punjab. Both of them were just 14 years old. At the same time, her 8-year-old first cousin. Ruqaiya owned many places outside the fort in Agra other than her own place in Fatehpur Sikri. The marriage was arranged as a political alliance between the Mughal Empire and the powerful Persian ruler, sultan Husain Mirza. 

Harem 

Ruqaiya Sultan Begum was not placed in the harem during her not lifetime. No matter how many marriages Akbar had all his life and no matter how many concubines had in his harem. Ruqaiya was not only Akbar’s wife but a friend. Ruqaiya was always his most favored wife and remained his principal consort till the very end. 

Ruqaiya Sultan Begum Tomb 

Ruqaiya Sultan Begum died at the age of 84 in the year 1626 after a long and illustrious life at the Mughal court. Her death was widely mourned and she was remembered as a role model for the later Mughal empress.