Malika-i-Jahan (wife of Alauddin Khalji)

Malika-i-Jahan ("Queen of the World") was the first and chief wife of Sultan Alauddin Khalji,[1] the most powerful ruler of the Khalji dynasty that ruled the Delhi Sultanate. She was the daughter of Alauddin's predecessor and paternal uncle, Sultan Jalaluddin Khalji, the founder of the Khalji dynasty.

For other people with similar names, see Malika-i-Jahan.

Malika-i-Jahan
Shahzadi of the Delhi Sultanate
Malika of the Delhi Sultanate
Tenurec. 1296–1316
SpouseAlauddin Khalji
HouseKhalji (by birth)
FatherJalaluddin Khalji
MotherMalika-i-Jahan
ReligionSunni Islam

Family and lineage

Malika-i-Jahan was the daughter of Jalaluddin Khalji, the founder and first Sultan of the Khalji dynasty that ruled the Delhi Sultanate.[2][3] Her mother, also titled Malika-i-Jahan, was Jalaluddin's chief wife. She was quite an ambitious lady and held great influence over the Sultan. She also influenced contemporary politics to great extent.[4] Malika-i-Jahan had at least three brothers: Khan-i-Khan, Arkali Khan and Qadr Khan. Her future husband, Alauddin, was the eldest son of Jalaluddin's older brother, Shihabuddin Mas'ud, making Malika-i-Jahan a first-cousin of Alauddin.[5] After his father's death, Alauddin was brought up by Jalaluddin. His younger brother, Almas Beg, also married a daughter of Jalaluddin.[6]

Marriage

Malika-i-Jahan married Alauddin long before the Khalji revolution of 1290.[5] Alauddin rose to prominence after the marriage,[7] for when Jalaluddin became the Sultan of Delhi in 1290, he was appointed as Amir-i-Tuzuk (equivalent to Master of ceremonies), while Almas Beg was given the post of Akhur-beg (equivalent to Master of the Horse).[8] The marriage was not a happy one; Malika-i-Jahan took pride in being the daughter of the Sultan, and was neglected by Alauddin due to her haughty demeanour. He fell out with the princess when she attempted to dominate him and exhibited open jealousy and contempt towards his second wife, Mahru, the sister of Alp Khan.[5] Once, while Alauddin and Mahru were together in a garden, Malika-i-Jahan attacked Mahru. In a fit of temper, Alauddin assaulted her. The incident was reported to Jalaluddin, but the Sultan did not take any action against Alauddin.[8]

Alauddin was also on bad terms with his mother-in-law, who informed Jalaluddin about her suspicions that he was aiming to carve out an independent kingdom in a remote part of the country.[9] Fearful of his mother-in-law's influence on the Sultan, Alauddin brought no complaint against his wife.[10] In 1296, Alauddin murdered Jalaluddin and took over the throne, proclaiming himself the new sultan of the Delhi Sultanate.[11] Malika-i-Jahan never forgave her husband for the murder of her father.[1]

Malika-i-Jahan was portrayed by Aditi Rao Hydari in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's period film Padmaavat (2018), where she is known as Mehrunisa.[12]

References
  1. Hasan, Masudul (2007). History of Islam (Rev. ed.). New Delhi: Adam Publishers & Distributors. p. 155. ISBN 9788174350190.
  2. Chandra, Satish (2004). Medieval India : from Sultanat to the Mughals (Rev. ed.). New Delhi: Har-Anand Publications. p. 75. ISBN 9788124110645.
  3. Lethbridge, Sir Roper (1881). A Short Manual of the History of India: With an Account of India as it is. Macmillan and Company. p. 190.
  4. Hasan, Masudul (2007). History of Islam (Rev. ed.). New Delhi: Adam Publishers & Distributors. p. 88. ISBN 9788174350190.
  5. Mehta, Jaswant Lal (1980). Advanced Study in the History of Medieval India. Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd. p. 137. ISBN 9788120706170.
  6. Banarsi Prasad Saksena 1992, p. 321.
  7. Congress, Indian History (1985). "Proceedings – Indian History Congress". 45. Indian History Congress.: 273. Retrieved 12 November 2017. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  8. Kishori Saran Lal 1950, p. 41.
  9. Nand, Lokesh Chandra (1989). Women in Delhi Sultanate (1st ed.). Allahabad, India: Vohra Publishers. p. 85. ISBN 9788185072524.
  10. "Journal of Indian History". 9. University of Kerala. 1931: 220. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  11. Ahmed, Farooqui Salma (2011). A Comprehensive History of Medieval India: From Twelfth to the Mid-Eighteenth Century. Pearson Education India. p. 69. ISBN 9788131732021.
  12. "Mehrunisa in Padmaavat was tiny but special: Aditi Rao Hydari". The Express Tribune. IANS. 5 February 2018. Retrieved 16 February 2018.

Bibliography
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