Mar 19, 2025, 01:07 PM IST

Aurangzeb’s Hindu wife: Woman who wanted to practise Sati

Muskaan Gupta

The Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's Hindu wife demonstrated her devotion by wanting to commit sati after his death. She continues to be a little-known historical figure. This is Aurangzeb's Hindu wife, who wanted to become sati.

One could argue that Aurangzeb was the most contentious monarch in Indian history. From 1658 until 1707, this Mughal emperor dominated one of the wealthiest empires in history. For many years, Aurangzeb's persona has been the subject of controversy, particularly among Hindus.

It's unclear what the truth is about Aurangzeb amid the flurry of enquiries and accusations. However, it's evident that a lot of the criticism directed at Aurangzeb stems from prevailing opinions about him.

However, it is astonishing that Aurangzeb, the Mughal emperor, had 2 Hindu wives despite his alleged hatred of a certain religion. Aurangzeb's reputation as a "orthodox-Muslim and a hater of Hindus" is seriously called into question by this facet of his personality.

Nawab Bai and Udaipuri were the names of Aurangzeb's two Hindu wives. They both had a deep affection for their husband, Aurangzeb. In addition, one of Udaipuri's wives was so devoted to Aurangzeb that she had planned for him to die if he did.

In a letter to his son, Aurangzeb himself had disclosed his Hindu wife Udaipuri's wish. But the fact that Aurangzeb and Udaipuri passed away in the same year was a coincidence. In 1707, a few months after Aurangzeb's passing, Udaipuri also passed away. 

The English translation of Rukkate Alamgiri's "Letters of Aurangzeb" makes reference to this. In a letter to his son Kam Bakhsh, Alamgir Aurangzeb shares with him Udaipuri's ambition to become a sati. 

Aurangzeb loved his Hindu wife Udaipuri just as much as Udaipuri loved him. Aurangzeb expressed his deepest feelings to his sons in a letter he wrote in his final days. In addition, he has given his son Kam Bakhsh, who was born to his Hindu wife Udaipuri, some instructions. 

He made reference to Kam Bakhsh's mother at the end of the letter. "Kambakhsh... your mother is with me in my illness," he writes. She is getting ready to become a sati after I die, so she is prepared to accompany me to the other world. God bless you with peace.

Image source: Google Images

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