Roshanara Begum

The talented and accomplished Roshanara was overshadowed by her elder sister, Jahanara, the clear favorite not only of her father, the emperor, but also of his subjects. Disregarded by Shah Jahan, she allied herself with her brother Aurangzeb, who shared her thwarted ambition: Just as Jahanara’s ascendancy had blighted…

Roshanara Begum was Shah Jahan’s daughter and Aurangzeb’s sister. She was a politically significant woman who is believed to have advocated for Aurangzeb during the war of succession and to have exercised considerable influence over his decisions. She reportedly rejoiced at the death of Dara…