How did "Hira Kunwari/Harka Bai" become "Jodha Bai"?

Maryam Uz Zamani Begum was a daughter of Raja Bharmal of Amber and she was (unwillingly) given as wife to Akbar in a strategic alliance for the safety of Amber and his people.

The real name of Maryam Uz Zamani Begum is neither recorded in Mughal History not in any authentic sources of Amber. Her real name just disappears from history. It's alleged that her name was either Harka Bai or Hira Kunwari.

The reason she is often associated with misnomer Jodha Bai because James Tod in his book confused Jagat Gosain, princess of Jodhpur and wife of Salim with Maryam Uz Zamani Begum, wife of Akbar and since then the mistake is often shown in movies and serials.

Maryam Uz Zamani Begum had many titles like Wali Nimat Begum or Malika-i-Hindustan. Her chastity and loyalty is praised in Mughal Sources. However, the marriage stil was a strategic alliance only. His favourite son was Sahzada Daniyal and not Salim, son of Maryam Uz Zamani Begum.

Akbar had a wife whose name was Arif Un Nisa Begum and her origins are not known. She is mentioned as Akbar's Jauza (Wife). She is shown with a sword and a shield. Probably, the warrior qualities of Arif Un Nisa Begum are given to Maryam Uz Zamani Begum in movies and TV serials.

What is the story of Jodha Bai? How/why did she get married to Akbar?

 The story of the Mughal Emperor Akbar and Jodha Bai has been turned into a romantic tale by many. As a result of this romanticization of this relationship in the modern world, many people assume Jodha Bai to have been similar to what Mumtaz Mahal was to Shah Jahan. The truth is quite the opposite.

Let’s begin with the name. Her name was actually Mariam-uz-Zamani. Though this was not her birth name. Her real name in lost to us, but she is known by many names. Names such as Harkha Bai or Harkhan Champavati. The Mughal sources refer to her as Mariam-uz-Zamani. One thing to note is that her name was never Jodha Bai. This is a very popular misconception.

Depiction of Mariam-uz-Zamani.

The marriage between Akbar and Mariam-uz-Zamani was never a love affair. It was a political union. Mariam-uz-Zamani was the daughter of Raja Bharmal, the Rajput ruler of Amber. He was in conflict with and being harassed Sharif-ud-din Mirza, the Mughal governor of Mewat and Akbar’s brother in law. Raja Bharmal asked Akbar to intervene in the matter. In return, Raja Bharmal had to submit to Akbar and this was to be solidified via marriage. Mariam-uz-Zamani was to marry Akbar. As it can be seen, the marriage was completely political in nature.

The marriage took place on 6 February 1562 in Sambhar. At the time of marrige, both of them are believed to have been around twenty years of age. This union bound the family of Raja Bharmal into the service of the Mughals. This was not the only marital alliance between the Mughals and Rajput rulers. There were many others as well.

Despite the common misconception, Mariam-uz-Zamani received no special treatment from Akbar. She was just one of the many wives and concubines of the Mughal emperor. She only rose in status after she gave birth to Akbar’s eldest son, Jahangir, in August 1569. She was granted the title Mariam-uz-Zamani, the name used for her by the Mughal sources.

Mariam-uz-Zamani (Mary of the era/age) gives birth to Salim (future Jahangir)

She rose in rank and influence after the death of Akbar. Akbar was succeeded by his son Jahangir, Mariam-uz-Zamani’s son. The reason that she became more well known and influential was because of her status as the mother of the new Mughal Emperor. Not because of any special relationship that she previously had with Akbar.

Jahangir, the son of Mariam-uz-Zamani