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