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{{Short description|Mughal administrator (1544–1621)}}
{{Infobox Officeholder
{{Infobox Officeholder
| honorific-prefix   =
| honorific-prefix = [[Mirza (name)|Mirza]]
| name               = Mirza Ghiyas
| name = Ghiyas
| honorific-suffix   = [[Bey|Beg]]  
| honorific-suffix = [[Bey|Beg]]
| image               = A portrait of Mirza Ghiyas Beg aka 'I'timād-ud-Daulah', 18th century.jpg
| image = A portrait of Mirza Ghiyas Beg aka 'I'timād-ud-Daulah', 18th century.jpg
| caption             = An 18th-century portrait of Mirza Ghiyas Beg. Color and gold over gold-sprinkled black ground on paper.
| caption = An 18th-century portrait of Mirza Ghiyas Beg. Color and gold over gold-sprinkled black ground on paper.
| office1             = [[Vakil of the Mughal Empire]] <br> ([[Grand Vizier]])
| office1 = [[Vakil of the Mughal Empire]] <br> ([[Grand Vizier]])
| monarch1           = [[Jahangir]]
| monarch1 = [[Jahangir]]
| term_start1         = 1611
| term_start1 = 1611
| term_end1           = 1622
| term_end1 = January 1621
| predecessor1       =
| predecessor1 = Asaf Khan Qazvini
| successor1         =
| successor1 = [[Abu'l-Hasan Asaf Khan]]
| birth_date         = Mid 16th-century
| birth_date = {{circa}} 1544
| birth_place         = [[Tehran]], [[Safavid Iran]]
| birth_place = [[Tehran]], [[Safavid Iran]]
| death_date         = 1622
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1621|01||1544|||df=yes}}
| death_place         = near [[Kangra, Himachal Pradesh|Kangra]], [[Mughal Empire|Mughal India]]
| death_place = [[Kangra, Himachal Pradesh|Kangra]], [[Mughal Empire]]
| party               =
| party =  
| spouse             = [[Asmat Begam]]
| spouse = [[Asmat Begam]]
| relations           = [[Khvajeh Mohammad-Sharif]] (father)<br>Mohammad-Taher Wasli (brother)<br>[[Jahangir]] (son-in-law)
| relations = [[Khvajeh Mohammad-Sharif]] (father)<br>Mohammad-Taher Wasli (brother)<br>[[Ahmad Tehrani]] (uncle)<br>[[Amin Razi]] (cousin)<br>[[Jahangir]] (son-in-law)
| children           = Muhammad-Sharif<br>[[Ibrahim Khan Fath-i-Jang]]<br>Itiqad Khan<br>[[Abu'l-Hasan Asaf Khan]]<br>[[Nur Jahan]]<br>Manija Begum<ref>{{cite news|title=The Riverside Mansions and Tombs of Agra: New Evidence from a Panoramic Scroll Recently Acquired by The British Library|url= https://www.bl.uk/eblj/2017articles/pdf/ebljarticle92017.pdf|last1=Koch|first1=Ebba|last2=Losty|first2=JP}}</ref><br>Sahlia Begum
| children = Muhammad Sharif{{sfn|Banks Findley|1993|p=9}}<br>Shapur Itiqad Khan{{sfn|Banks Findley|1993|p=44}}<br>[[Abu'l-Hasan Asaf Khan]]{{sfn|Banks Findley|1993|p=9}}<br>Manija Begum{{sfn|Banks Findley|1993|p=45}}<ref>{{cite news|title=The Riverside Mansions and Tombs of Agra: New Evidence from a Panoramic Scroll Recently Acquired by The British Library|url=https://www.bl.uk/eblj/2017articles/pdf/ebljarticle92017.pdf|last1=Koch|first1=Ebba|last2=Losty|first2=JP}}</ref><br>[[Nur Jahan]]<br>Khadija Begum{{sfn|Banks Findley|1993|p=45}}
| blank1             =
| blank1 =  
| data1               =
| data1 =  
| residence           =
| residence =  
| alma_mater         =
| alma_mater =  
| occupation         =
| occupation =  
| profession         =
| profession =  
| signature           =
| signature =  
| website             =
| website =  
| footnotes           =
| footnotes = <!--Military service-->
<!--Military service-->
| allegiance = [[Mughal Empire]]
| allegiance         = [[Mughal Empire]]
| serviceyears = 1577–1621
| serviceyears       = 1577–1622
| unit =  
| unit               =  
| commands =  
| commands           =  
| battles =  
| battles             =
| awards =  
| awards             =  
}}
}}
[[File:"Jahangir and His Vizier, I'timad al-Daula", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album MET DP234021.jpg | right | thumb |Emperor [[Jahangir]] and Mirza Ghiyas Beg]]
[[File:"Jahangir and His Vizier, I'timad al-Daula", Folio from the Shah Jahan Album MET DP234021.jpg | right | thumb |Emperor [[Jahangir]] and Mirza Ghiyas Beg]]


'''Mirza Ghiyas Beg''' ({{lang-fa|مرزا غياث بيگ}}), also known by his title of '''I'timad-ud-Daulah''' ({{lang-fa|اعتمادالسلطنه آگهی الدوله}}), was an important [[Persian people|Persian]] official in the [[Mughal empire]], whose children served as wives, mothers, and generals of the Mughal emperors.
'''Mirza Ghiyas Beg''' ({{langx|fa|{{nq|مرزا غياث بيگ}}}}; {{circa|1544}} – January 1621<ref name="f389">{{cite web | title=India Medieval History | last=Chopra | first=P. N. | url=https://ia801609.us.archive.org/25/items/in.ernet.dli.2015.219987/2015.219987.India-Medieval_text.pdf | access-date=21 December 2025}}</ref>), also known by his title '''I'timad-ud-Daulah''' ({{langx|fa|{{nq|اعتماد الدوله}}}}), was an important official in the [[Mughal Empire]], whose children included the generals, wives and mothers of the Mughal emperors.


Born in [[Tehran]], Ghiyas Beg belonged to a family of poets and high officials. Nevertheless, his fortunes fell into disfavor after the death of his father in 1576. Along with his pregnant wife Asmat Begum, and his three children, they immigrated to India. There he was received by the Mughal emperor [[Akbar]] (r. 1556-1605), and was enrolled into his service. During the latters reign, Ghiyas Beg was appointed treasurer for the province of [[Kabul]].
Born in [[Tehran]], Mirza Ghiyas Beg belonged to a family of poets and high officials. Nevertheless, his fortunes fell into disfavor after the death of his father in 1576. Along with his pregnant wife Ismat Begum, and his three children, [[Emigration of Iranians to India during the 16-18th centuries|they immigrated to India]]. There he was received by the Mughal emperor [[Akbar]] (r. 1556-1605), and was enrolled into his service. During the latter's reign, Mirza Ghiyas Beg was appointed treasurer for the province of [[Kabul]].


His fortunes further increased during the reign of Akbar's son and successor Jahangir (r. 1605-1627), who in 1611 married his daughter [[Nur Jahan]] and appointed Ghiyas Beg as his Prime minister. By 1615, Ghiyas Beg had risen to further prominence, when he was given the status of 6,000 men and was given a standard and drums, a prestige normally restricted for distinguished princes.
His fortunes further increased during the reign of Akbar's son and successor [[Jahangir]] (r. 1605–1627), who in 1611 married his daughter [[Nur Jahan]] and appointed Mirza Ghiyas Beg as his prime minister. By 1615, Mirza Ghiyas Beg had risen to further prominence, when he was given the status of 6,000 men and was given a standard and drums, a prestige normally restricted for distinguished princes.


==Family==
==Family==
Ghiyas Beg was a native of [[Tehran]], and was the youngest son of [[Khvajeh Mohammad-Sharif]], a poet and [[vizier]] of Mohammad Khan Tekkelu and his son Tatar Soltan, who was the governor of the [[Safavid dynasty|Safavid]] province of [[Greater Khorasan|Khorasan]]. Mohammad-Sharif was later listed under the service of [[Tahmasp I|Shah Tahmasp I]] (r. 1524–1576), where he in the start served as the vizier of [[Yazd]], [[Abarkuh]], and Biabanak for seven years. Thereafter he was appointed as the vizier of [[Isfahan]], and died there in 1576.{{sfn|Shokoohy|2001|pp=594–595}} Ghiyas Beg's elder brother, Mohammad-Taher Wasli, was a learned man who composed poetry under the pen name of Wasli.{{sfn|Banks Findley|1993|p=9}}
Mirza Ghiyas Beg was a native of [[Tehran]], and was the youngest son of [[Khvajeh Mohammad-Sharif]], a poet and [[vizier]] of Mohammad Khan Tekkelu and his son Tatar Soltan, who was the governor of the [[Safavid dynasty|Safavid]] province of [[Greater Khorasan|Khorasan]]. Mohammad-Sharif was later listed under the service of [[Tahmasp I|Shah Tahmasp I]] (r. 1524–1576), where he initially served as the vizier of [[Yazd]], [[Abarkuh]], and Biabanak for seven years. Thereafter he was appointed as the vizier of [[Isfahan]], and died there in 1576.{{sfn|Shokoohy|2001|pp=594–595}} Ghiyas Beg's elder brother, Mohammad-Taher Wasli, was a learned man who composed poetry under the pen name of Wasli.{{sfn|Banks Findley|1993|p=9}}


==Immigration to India==
==Immigration to India==
After the death of Ghiyas' father, his family fell into disgrace. Hoping to improve his family’s fortunes, Ghiyas Beg chose to relocate to India where the Emperor [[Akbar]]'s court was said to be at the centre of the growing trade industry and cultural scene.<ref name="Gold148">{{harvnb|Gold|2008|p=148}}</ref> Half way along their route the family was attacked by robbers who took from them the remaining meager possessions they had.<ref name="Chandra4">{{harvnb|Chandra|1978|p=4}}</ref>
After the death of Ghiyas' father, his family fell on hard times. Hoping to improve his family's fortunes, Ghiyas Beg chose to [[Emigration of Iranians to India during the 16-18th centuries|relocate to India]] where the Emperor [[Akbar]]'s court was said to be at the centre of the growing trade, industry and cultural scene.<ref name="Gold148">{{harvnb|Gold|2008|p=148}}</ref> During their journey, the family was attacked by robbers who took from them whatever meager possessions they had.<ref name="Chandra4">{{harvnb|Pant|1978|p=4}}</ref>


Left with only two mules, Ghiyas Beg, his pregnant wife, and their three children (Mohammad-Sharif, [[Asaf Khan IV|Asaf Khan]] and a daughter Sahlia) were forced to take turns riding on the backs of the animals for the rest of their journey. When the family arrived in [[Kandahar]], [[Asmat Begam]] gave birth to their second daughter. The family was so impoverished, they feared they would be unable to take care of the newborn baby. Fortunately, the family was taken in by a caravan led by the merchant noble Malik Masud, who would later assist Ghiyas Beg in finding a job in the service of Emperor Akbar. Believing that the child had signaled a change in the family’s fate, she was named [[Nur Jahan|Mehrunnisa]], meaning "sun among women".<ref name="Nath 1990 66">{{harvnb|Nath|1990|p=66}}</ref> Ghiyas Beg was not the first member of his family to move to India—his cousin Asaf Khan Jafar Beg and the uncle of Asmat Begum, Mirza Ghiyasuddin Ali Asaf Khan, had been enrolled into the provincial assignments of Akbar.{{sfn|Banks Findley|1993|p=8}}
Left with only two mules, Ghiyas Beg, his pregnant wife, and their three children (Mohammad-Sharif, [[Asaf Khan IV|Asaf Khan]] and a daughter){{sfn|Banks Findley|1993|p=9}} were forced to take turns riding on the backs of the animals for the rest of their journey. When the family arrived in [[Kandahar]], [[Asmat Begum]] gave birth to their second daughter. The family was so impoverished, they feared they would be unable to take care of the newborn baby. Fortunately, the family was taken in by a caravan led by the merchant noble Malik Masud, who would later assist Ghiyas Beg in finding a job in the service of Emperor Akbar. Believing that the child had signaled a change in the family's fate, she was named [[Nur Jahan|Mihr-un-Nissa]], meaning "sun among women".<ref name="Nath 1990 66">{{harvnb|Nath|1990|p=66}}</ref> Ghiyas Beg was not the first member of his family to move to India—his cousin Asaf Khan Jafar Beg and the uncle of Asmat Begum, Mirza Ghiyasuddin Ali Asaf Khan, had been enrolled into the provincial assignments of Akbar.{{sfn|Banks Findley|1993|p=8}}


==Service under the Mughal Empire==
==Service under the Mughal Empire==
Ghiyas was later appointed ''diwan'' (treasurer) for the province of Kabul. Due to his astute skills at conducting business he quickly rose through the ranks of the high administrative officials. For his excellent work he was awarded the title of ‘‘Itimad-ud-Daula‘‘ (‘Pillar of the State’) by the emperor.<ref name="Chandra4"/> As a result of his work and promotions, Ghiyas Beg was able to ensure that Mehrunnisa (the future Nur Jahan) would have the best possible education. She became well versed in [[Arabic language|Arabic]] and [[Persian language|Persian]]. She also became well versed in [[art]], [[literature]], [[music]] and [[dance]].<ref name="Nath 1990 66"/>
Mirza Ghiyas Beg was later appointed ''diwan'' (treasurer) for the province of Kabul. Due to his astute skills at conducting business he quickly rose through the ranks of the high administrative officials. For his excellent work he was awarded the title of ‘‘Itimad-ud-Daula‘‘ (‘Pillar of the State’) by the emperor.<ref name="Chandra4"/> As a result of his work and promotions, Ghiyas Beg was able to ensure that Mehrunnisa (the future Nur Jahan) would have the best possible education. She became well versed in [[Arabic language|Arabic]] and [[Persian language|Persian]]. She also became well versed in [[art]], [[literature]], [[music]] and [[dance]].<ref name="Nath 1990 66"/>
[[File:I'timād-ud-Daulah, Agra.jpg|right|thumb|[[Itmad-Ud-Daulah's Tomb|Mirza Ghiyas Beg's tomb]] in [[Agra]]]]
[[File:I'timād-ud-Daulah, Agra.jpg|right|thumb|[[Itmad-Ud-Daulah's Tomb|Mirza Ghiyas Beg's tomb]] in [[Agra]]]]


Ghiyas' daughter, [[Mehrunissa]] (Nur Jahan) married Akbar's son Jahangir in 1611, and his son [[Abdul Hasan Asaf Khan]] served as a general to Jahangir.
Ghiyas' daughter, Mihr-un-Nissa Begum (later [[Nur Jahan]]) married Akbar's son Jahangir in 1611, and his son [[Abdul Hasan Asaf Khan]] served as a general to Jahangir and as a grand vizier to his successor [[Shah Jahan]].


Ghiyas was also the grandfather of [[Mumtaz Mahal]] (originally named Arjumand Bano, daughter of [[Abdul Hasan Asaf Khan]]), the wife of the emperor [[Shah Jahan]], responsible for the building of the [[Taj Mahal]]. Jahangir was succeeded by his son Shah Jahan, and Abdul Hasan served as one of Shah Jahan's closest advisors. Shah Jahan married Abdul Hasan's daughter [[Mumtaz Mahal|Arjumand Banu Begum]], Mumtāz Mahal, who was the mother of his four sons, including his successor [[Aurangzeb]]. Shah Jahan built the [[Taj Mahal]] to serve as Mumtaz Mahal's tomb.
Ghiyas was also the grandfather of [[Mumtaz Mahal]] (originally named Arjumand Banu, daughter of [[Abdul Hasan Asaf Khan]]), the wife of the emperor [[Shah Jahan]], responsible for the building of the [[Taj Mahal]]. Jahangir was succeeded by his son Shah Jahan, and Abdul Hasan served as one of Shah Jahan's closest advisors. Shah Jahan married Abdul Hasan's daughter [[Mumtaz Mahal|Arjumand Banu Begum]], Mumtāz Mahal, who was the mother of his four sons, including his successor [[Aurangzeb]]. Shah Jahan built the [[Taj Mahal]] to serve as Mumtaz Mahal's tomb.


== Death and burial ==
== Death and burial ==
Ghiyas Beg died near [[Kangra, Himachal Pradesh|Kangra]] in 1622 while the Mughal camp was moving towards its summer residence in [[Kashmir]]. His body was carried back to Agra, where he was buried on the right bank of the [[Yamuna river]]. His burial place still stands till this day, and is known as [[Tomb of I'timād-ud-Daulah|Tomb of I'timad-ud-Daulah]].
Mirza Ghiyas Beg died near [[Kangra, Himachal Pradesh|Kangra]] in 1621 while the Mughal camp was moving towards its summer residence in [[Kashmir]]. His body was carried back to Agra and buried on the left bank of the [[Yamuna river]], where the [[Tomb of I'timād-ud-Daulah|Tomb of I'timad-ud-Daulah]] stand to this day.<ref name="Rangan">{{cite news |last1=Datta |first1=Rangan |title=Agra beyond the Taj: Exploring tombs and gardens on the left bank of Yamuna |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/my-kolkata/places/agra-beyond-the-taj-exploring-tombs-and-gardens-on-the-left-bank-of-yamuna/cid/2031729 |access-date=18 July 2024 |agency=My Kolkata |publisher=The Telegraph |date=5 July 2024}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
Line 67: Line 67:


==Sources==
==Sources==
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book|last=Banks Findley|first=Ellison|date=11 Feb 1993|title=Nur Jahan: Empress of Mughal India|location=Oxford, UK|publisher=Nur Jahan : Empress of Mughal India|isbn=9780195074888}}
* {{cite book|last=Gold|first=Claudia|title=Queen, Empress, Concubine: Fifty Women Rulers from Cleopatra to Catherine the Great |year=2008 |publisher=Quercus |location=London|isbn=978-1-84724-542-7}}
* Keay, John (2000). ''India: A History''. Grove Press, New York.
* {{cite book |last1=Lal |first1=Ruby |title=The Astonishing Reign of Nur Jahan |date=2018 |publisher=W.W. Norton & Company |location=New York |isbn=978-0-393-35767-7}}
*{{cite book|last=Nath|first=Renuka|title=Notable Mughal and Hindu women in the 16th and 17th centuries A.D.|year=1990|publisher=Inter-India Publ. |location=New Delhi|isbn=9788121002417}}
* {{cite book |last=Pant |first=Chandra |title=Nur Jahan and Her Family |location=Allahabad |publisher=Dandewal Publishing House |date=1978}}
* {{cite encyclopedia | article = GĪĀṮ BEG, ʿEʿTEMĀD-AL-DAWLA | last = Shokoohy | first = Mehrdad | url = http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/gia-beg- | editor-last = | editor-first =  | editor-link = | encyclopedia  = Encyclopaedia Iranica, Vol. X, Fasc. 6 | pages = 594–595 | location = | publisher = | year = 2001 | isbn = }}
* {{cite encyclopedia | article = GĪĀṮ BEG, ʿEʿTEMĀD-AL-DAWLA | last = Shokoohy | first = Mehrdad | url = http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/gia-beg- | editor-last = | editor-first =  | editor-link = | encyclopedia  = Encyclopaedia Iranica, Vol. X, Fasc. 6 | pages = 594–595 | location = | publisher = | year = 2001 | isbn = }}
*{{cite book|last=Nath|first=Renuka|title=Notable Mughal and Hindu women in the 16th and 17th centuries A.D.|year=1990|publisher=Inter-India Publ. |location=New Delhi|isbn=9788121002417}}
{{refend}}
*{{cite book|last=Gold|first=Claudia|title=Queen, Empress, Concubine: Fifty Women Rulers from Cleopatra to Catherine the Great |year=2008 |publisher=Quercus |location=London|isbn=978-1-84724-542-7}}
*{{cite book|last=Banks Findley|first=Ellison|date=11 Feb 1993|title=Nur Jahan: Empress of Mughal India|location=Oxford, UK|publisher=Nur Jahan : Empress of Mughal India|isbn=9780195074888}}
* Keay, John (2000). ''India: A History''. Grove Press, New York.


{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Ghiyas Beg, Mirza}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ghiyas Beg, Mirza}}
[[Category:Mughal nobility]]
[[Category:Nobility from the Mughal Empire]]
[[Category:People from Tehran]]
[[Category:Politicians from Tehran]]
[[Category:1622 deaths]]
[[Category:1622 deaths]]
[[Category:16th-century births]]
[[Category:16th-century births]]
[[Category:17th-century Iranian people]]
[[Category:Iranian emigrants to the Mughal Empire]]
[[Category:Iranian emigrants to the Mughal Empire]]
[[Category:16th-century Iranian people]]
[[Category:Grand viziers of the Mughal Empire]]
[[Category:Grand viziers of the Mughal Empire]]
[[Category:16th-century Mughal Empire people]]
[[Category:17th-century Mughal Empire people]]

Latest revision as of 23:04, 28 February 2026


Mirza
Ghiyas
Beg
An 18th-century portrait of Mirza Ghiyas Beg. Color and gold over gold-sprinkled black ground on paper.
Vakil of the Mughal Empire
(Grand Vizier)
In office
1611 – January 1621
MonarchJahangir
Preceded byAsaf Khan Qazvini
Succeeded byAbu'l-Hasan Asaf Khan
Personal details
Bornc. 1544
Tehran, Safavid Iran
DiedJanuary 1621(1621-01-00) (aged 76–77)
Kangra, Mughal Empire
Spouse(s)Asmat Begam
RelationsKhvajeh Mohammad-Sharif (father)
Mohammad-Taher Wasli (brother)
Ahmad Tehrani (uncle)
Amin Razi (cousin)
Jahangir (son-in-law)
ChildrenMuhammad Sharif[1]
Shapur Itiqad Khan[2]
Abu'l-Hasan Asaf Khan[1]
Manija Begum[3][4]
Nur Jahan
Khadija Begum[3]
Military service
AllegianceMughal Empire
Years of service1577–1621
Emperor Jahangir and Mirza Ghiyas Beg

Mirza Ghiyas Beg (Script error: The function "langx" does not exist.; c. 1544 – January 1621[5]), also known by his title I'timad-ud-Daulah (Script error: The function "langx" does not exist.), was an important official in the Mughal Empire, whose children included the generals, wives and mothers of the Mughal emperors.

Born in Tehran, Mirza Ghiyas Beg belonged to a family of poets and high officials. Nevertheless, his fortunes fell into disfavor after the death of his father in 1576. Along with his pregnant wife Ismat Begum, and his three children, they immigrated to India. There he was received by the Mughal emperor Akbar (r. 1556-1605), and was enrolled into his service. During the latter's reign, Mirza Ghiyas Beg was appointed treasurer for the province of Kabul.

His fortunes further increased during the reign of Akbar's son and successor Jahangir (r. 1605–1627), who in 1611 married his daughter Nur Jahan and appointed Mirza Ghiyas Beg as his prime minister. By 1615, Mirza Ghiyas Beg had risen to further prominence, when he was given the status of 6,000 men and was given a standard and drums, a prestige normally restricted for distinguished princes.

Family[edit | edit source]

Mirza Ghiyas Beg was a native of Tehran, and was the youngest son of Khvajeh Mohammad-Sharif, a poet and vizier of Mohammad Khan Tekkelu and his son Tatar Soltan, who was the governor of the Safavid province of Khorasan. Mohammad-Sharif was later listed under the service of Shah Tahmasp I (r. 1524–1576), where he initially served as the vizier of Yazd, Abarkuh, and Biabanak for seven years. Thereafter he was appointed as the vizier of Isfahan, and died there in 1576.[6] Ghiyas Beg's elder brother, Mohammad-Taher Wasli, was a learned man who composed poetry under the pen name of Wasli.[1]

Immigration to India[edit | edit source]

After the death of Ghiyas' father, his family fell on hard times. Hoping to improve his family's fortunes, Ghiyas Beg chose to relocate to India where the Emperor Akbar's court was said to be at the centre of the growing trade, industry and cultural scene.[7] During their journey, the family was attacked by robbers who took from them whatever meager possessions they had.[8]

Left with only two mules, Ghiyas Beg, his pregnant wife, and their three children (Mohammad-Sharif, Asaf Khan and a daughter)[1] were forced to take turns riding on the backs of the animals for the rest of their journey. When the family arrived in Kandahar, Asmat Begum gave birth to their second daughter. The family was so impoverished, they feared they would be unable to take care of the newborn baby. Fortunately, the family was taken in by a caravan led by the merchant noble Malik Masud, who would later assist Ghiyas Beg in finding a job in the service of Emperor Akbar. Believing that the child had signaled a change in the family's fate, she was named Mihr-un-Nissa, meaning "sun among women".[9] Ghiyas Beg was not the first member of his family to move to India—his cousin Asaf Khan Jafar Beg and the uncle of Asmat Begum, Mirza Ghiyasuddin Ali Asaf Khan, had been enrolled into the provincial assignments of Akbar.[10]

Service under the Mughal Empire[edit | edit source]

Mirza Ghiyas Beg was later appointed diwan (treasurer) for the province of Kabul. Due to his astute skills at conducting business he quickly rose through the ranks of the high administrative officials. For his excellent work he was awarded the title of ‘‘Itimad-ud-Daula‘‘ (‘Pillar of the State’) by the emperor.[8] As a result of his work and promotions, Ghiyas Beg was able to ensure that Mehrunnisa (the future Nur Jahan) would have the best possible education. She became well versed in Arabic and Persian. She also became well versed in art, literature, music and dance.[9]

Mirza Ghiyas Beg's tomb in Agra

Ghiyas' daughter, Mihr-un-Nissa Begum (later Nur Jahan) married Akbar's son Jahangir in 1611, and his son Abdul Hasan Asaf Khan served as a general to Jahangir and as a grand vizier to his successor Shah Jahan.

Ghiyas was also the grandfather of Mumtaz Mahal (originally named Arjumand Banu, daughter of Abdul Hasan Asaf Khan), the wife of the emperor Shah Jahan, responsible for the building of the Taj Mahal. Jahangir was succeeded by his son Shah Jahan, and Abdul Hasan served as one of Shah Jahan's closest advisors. Shah Jahan married Abdul Hasan's daughter Arjumand Banu Begum, Mumtāz Mahal, who was the mother of his four sons, including his successor Aurangzeb. Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal to serve as Mumtaz Mahal's tomb.

Death and burial[edit | edit source]

Mirza Ghiyas Beg died near Kangra in 1621 while the Mughal camp was moving towards its summer residence in Kashmir. His body was carried back to Agra and buried on the left bank of the Yamuna river, where the Tomb of I'timad-ud-Daulah stand to this day.[11]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Banks Findley 1993, p. 9.
  2. ↑ Banks Findley 1993, p. 44.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Banks Findley 1993, p. 45.
  4. ↑ Koch, Ebba; Losty, JP. "The Riverside Mansions and Tombs of Agra: New Evidence from a Panoramic Scroll Recently Acquired by The British Library" (PDF).
  5. ↑ Chopra, P. N. "India Medieval History" (PDF). Retrieved 21 December 2025.
  6. ↑ Shokoohy 2001, pp. 594–595.
  7. ↑ Gold 2008, p. 148
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Pant 1978, p. 4
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Nath 1990, p. 66
  10. ↑ Banks Findley 1993, p. 8.
  11. ↑ Datta, Rangan (5 July 2024). "Agra beyond the Taj: Exploring tombs and gardens on the left bank of Yamuna". The Telegraph. My Kolkata. Retrieved 18 July 2024.

Sources[edit | edit source]

  • Banks Findley, Ellison (11 Feb 1993). Nur Jahan: Empress of Mughal India. Oxford, UK: Nur Jahan : Empress of Mughal India. ISBN 9780195074888.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: publisher location (link)
  • Gold, Claudia (2008). Queen, Empress, Concubine: Fifty Women Rulers from Cleopatra to Catherine the Great. London: Quercus. ISBN 978-1-84724-542-7.
  • Keay, John (2000). India: A History. Grove Press, New York.
  • Lal, Ruby (2018). The Astonishing Reign of Nur Jahan. New York: W.W. Norton & Company. ISBN 978-0-393-35767-7.
  • Nath, Renuka (1990). Notable Mughal and Hindu women in the 16th and 17th centuries A.D. New Delhi: Inter-India Publ. ISBN 9788121002417.
  • Pant, Chandra (1978). Nur Jahan and Her Family. Allahabad: Dandewal Publishing House.
  • Shokoohy, Mehrdad (2001). "GĪĀṮ BEG, ʿEʿTEMĀD-AL-DAWLA". Encyclopaedia Iranica, Vol. X, Fasc. 6. pp. 594–595.
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