In September 1541, amid the scorching heat of Sindh and the uncertain future, Humayun and Hamida were married.
After losing the power of Delhi and Agra, the life of Mughal emperor Humayun was no less than a film tragedy. But amidst this exile and struggle, a love story was born which not only supported Humayun’s life but also gave India its greatest ruler, Akbar.
In this period of preparations for Valentine’s Day, let us turn the pages of history and know the love story of Mughal Emperor Humayun and Hamida Bano Begum, which started not in the glamor of palaces, but in the shadow of the hot sand and uncertainty of the desert.
Fall of power and path to exile
After losing to Sher Shah Suri in the battle of Kannauj in the year 1540, Humayun’s empire collapsed like a house of cards. Delhi and Agra were out of his hands. Humayun was forced to wander from door to door along with his brothers and loyal soldiers. He moved towards Sindh in search of help. This was the most difficult phase of Humayun’s life, where on one hand he was worried about saving his life and on the other hand he yearned to get back the lost Sultanate. During this conflict, Humayun reached his brother Hindal, who was in the area of Sindh at that time. It was here that Humayun met the girl who would later become his wife, Maryam Makani.
Humayun And Hamida Banu Begum
that feeling of first sight
Hindal’s guru Sheikh Ali Akbar Jami lived at a place called Paatar in Sindh. They had a very beautiful and intelligent 14 year old daughter, Hamida Bano. When Humayun saw Hamida for the first time, he was fascinated by her simplicity and personality.
Gulbadan Begum (sister of Humayun), a female historian of the Mughal Sultanate, has mentioned this meeting in Humayun Nama. Humayun expressed his desire to marry Hamida, but this path was not so easy. Hamida’s father and Hamida herself were not in favor of this proposal. There were many reasons behind this, the biggest reason of which was Humayun’s condition at that time. He was a king who had neither kingdom, nor wealth nor any definite future.
Hamida’s condition and Humayun’s insistence
Hamida Bano was a self-respecting girl. When Humayun sent the message of marriage, Hamida rejected him. his condition It was practical and interesting. She had said – I want to marry a person whose hand can reach my collarbone, not a person whose hand is so high that I cannot even touch it. Hamida was referring to Humayun being the king, even though he was not in power at that time. She feared that her existence would be lost among the many wives of a king.
Humayun’s Begum Hamida.
Humayun did not accept defeat. He tried to convince Hamida for many days. He sent the message that he would treat her not just as a queen but as the most important partner of his life. After about 40 days of waiting and persuasion, after the persuasion of Hamida’s mother, she agreed to the marriage. In September 1541, amid the scorching heat of Sindh and the uncertain future, Humayun and Hamida were married.
Desert journey and test of love
The time after the marriage was not as pleasant as a honeymoon. Humayun and Hamida had to wander in the deserts of Sindh and Rajasthan. There was lack of water, scorching heat and fear of enemies all the time. Instead of living in palaces like a princess, Hamida traveled miles on horseback with her husband. History tells that once when Humayun did not have a horse to ride, Hamida gave her horse to him and herself agreed to travel on foot. This was the period when Humayun realized that Hamida was not just his wife but his biggest strength.
Amarkot Fort and Birth of Akbar
While wandering, Humayun was given shelter by Rana Prasad of Amarkot. Here on 15 October 1542, Hamida gave birth to a son, who was named Jalaluddin Mohammad, whom the world knows today as Akbar. The birth of a son gave a new lease of life to Humayun’s sinking spirits. Hamida not only provided emotional support to Humayun, but also gave him the right advice in difficult times.
Iran’s migration and return to power
Even when Humayun had to leave India and seek refuge with Shah Tahmasp of Iran (Persia), Hamida remained with him like a shadow. Hamida’s intelligence was greatly appreciated in the court of Iran. With the help of Shah, Humayun gradually conquered Kandahar and Kabul and finally recaptured the throne of Delhi in 1555. The reason behind this victory of Humayun was Hamida’s unwavering faith, which never allowed her to break during her 15 years of long exile.
Humayun’s tomb is a symbol of immortal love
After Humayun’s death, Hamida Banu Begum built a grand mausoleum in the memory of her husband in Delhi, which we know today as Humayun’s Tomb. It was the first major example of Mughal architecture in India, which later became the inspiration for the Taj Mahal. This mausoleum is not just a stone building, but an eternal monument of Hamida’s love for her husband.
Humayun’s tomb located in Delhi.
The story of Humayun and Hamida teaches us that love is not just a companion of good times. True love is one that stands with you even in defeat, exile and deprivation. Humayun may have lost his sultanate after losing Delhi and Agra, but in the form of Hamida, he had gained an empire whose foundation was based on loyalty and respect.
When we talk about love in Valentine’s Week, this historical story of Humayun and Hamida reminds us that even in the most difficult times, if the spouse is with us, then the lost kingdom and lost respect can be regained. Hamida Bano Begum is one of the few women in history who, behind the scenes, played the biggest role in the revival of an empire.
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