May 23, 2024, 05:32 PM IST

Meet Mughal emperor who fell in love with his step mother

Shweta Singh

Salim, also known as Emperor Jahangir, was the fourth Mughal Emperor of India, ruling from 1605 to 1627. He was the son of Akbar the Great.

The woman in question was Anarkali, believed to be a courtesan or possibly one of the wives or concubines of Emperor Akbar, which made her Salim's step-mother.

According to popular legend, Salim fell deeply in love with Anarkali, causing a scandal within the royal court due to the taboo nature of their relationship.

When Akbar discovered the affair, he was reportedly furious and saw it as a betrayal. As a result, Anarkali was sentenced to death.

The most popular version of the story suggests that Anarkali was entombed alive in a brick wall, either to die within or as a form of living imprisonment.

There is limited historical evidence to fully verify this story. The tale of Salim and Anarkali is often considered more of a romantic legend than a documented historical fact.

The story of Salim and Anarkali has been romanticized in various forms of Indian art, literature, and cinema, most notably in the classic Bollywood film "Mughal-e-Azam."

Despite the lack of concrete historical proof, the tale remains a poignant narrative of forbidden love and royal intrigue, reflecting the complex dynamics of the Mughal court and the personal lives of its members.