The forgotten architects: Mughal women who shaped Delhi’s skyline

Mughal architecture is often attributed to emperors whose grand visions gave rise to some of India’s most celebrated monuments. Yet, behind the majestic domes and sprawling gardens, a lesser-known force was at play—Mughal women who exercised power and influence not only in governance but also in the artistic and architectural evolution of Delhi. This International Women’s Day, we revisit the contributions of these women, whose architectural patronage remains overshadowed by the men they stood beside.

Maham Anga: The strategist behind the throne

Maham Anga, the formidable wet nurse of Emperor Akbar, was not just a caretaker but a political architect of early Mughal rule. Her influence was so profound that her period of dominance is often referred to as the “petticoat government.”

Her most enduring contribution to Delhi’s skyline is the Khair-ul-Manazil mosque, constructed in 1561-62. Located opposite the Purana Qila, this mosque is one of the earliest known structures commissioned by a Mughal woman. A Persian inscription credits Maham Anga with its patronage, highlighting her role in religious and architectural initiatives. The mosque’s location, near a key seat of power, underscores her political shrewdness.

Built with red sandstone, the structure boasts elegant calligraphy and fortified gateways, suggesting that it may have served a dual purpose—as a place of worship and a defensive outpost during unstable times.

Bega Begum: The architect of remembrance

Bega Begum, the chief wife of Emperor Humayun, ensured that her husband’s legacy was immortalised in stone. She commissioned Humayun’s Tomb, the first grand garden-tomb in the Indian subcontinent and a forerunner to the Taj Mahal.

Constructed in the 1560s, the mausoleum was designed by Persian architect Mirak Mirza Ghiyath and introduced key architectural elements that would define Mughal aesthetics: a towering double dome, a symmetrical charbagh garden, and intricate geometric designs. Bega Begum personally oversaw the project, even travelling to Mecca for Hajj and bringing back skilled artisans.

Today, the 27-hectare UNESCO World Heritage Site not only houses Humayun’s grave but also serves as the final resting place of Bega Begum herself. Historian Ira Mukhoty observes, “Bega Begum ensured that Humayun’s Tomb became the prototype for the Taj Mahal, forever linking the architectural identity of the Mughals to a grand vision of love and memory.”

Fatehpuri Begum: A mosque lost in history

Among Shah Jahan’s wives, Mumtaz Mahal is remembered for the Taj Mahal, but Fatehpuri Begum’s architectural legacy is often overlooked. In 1650, she commissioned Fatehpuri Masjid, a grand mosque at the western end of Chandni Chowk.

Built with red sandstone and crowned with a single dome, the mosque features intricate calligraphy and geometric patterns, epitomising the Mughal architectural style. Despite its historical significance, Fatehpuri Begum remains a shadowy figure, her contributions largely unrecognised. The mosque itself bore the scars of history—following the Revolt of 1857, the British confiscated it and repurposed it as a warehouse, before restoring it to the Muslim community in 1877.

Qudsiya Begum: A queen’s garden retreat

Qudsiya Begum, the consort of Emperor Muhammad Shah “Rangeela” and the mother of Ahmad Shah Bahadur, wielded considerable influence during her son’s reign. In 1748, she commissioned Qudsiya Bagh, a sprawling palace-garden complex near Kashmere Gate.

Inspired by Persian charbagh layouts, the palace featured lush gardens, water channels, and elegant pavilions. Much of it was destroyed during the British siege of Delhi in 1857, but remnants of its grandeur still survive. The complex stands as a testament to Qudsiya Begum’s cultural patronage and her role in preserving Mughal artistic traditions in a time of political decline.

Zeenat-un-Nisa Begum: A princess’s lost legacy

Aurangzeb’s daughter, Zeenat-un-Nisa Begum, left her mark with the construction of Zeenat-ul Masjid, a red sandstone mosque modelled after Jama Masjid. The mosque’s black-striped domes earned it the nickname “Ghata Masjid” (cloud mosque).

Zeenat-un-Nisa meticulously planned her final resting place within the mosque’s enclosure, yet her legacy was disrupted by the Revolt of 1857. The British occupied the mosque, turning it into a bakery, and her tomb was destroyed. Historian Rana Safvi reflects, “The Zeenat-ul Masjid is not just an architectural marvel but a testament to the enduring spirit of Mughal women. It stands as a reminder of their ability to rise above adversity.”

Jahanara Begum: The visionary planner of Chandni Chowk

Daughter of Emperor Shah Jahan, Jahanara Begum played a crucial role in urban planning. She designed Chandni Chowk, Delhi’s bustling commercial hub, and commissioned the Jami Masjid in Agra. Her caravanserai at Chandni Chowk served as a rest stop for traders and travellers.

Roshanara Begum: The builder of Roshanara Bagh

Roshanara Begum, Jahanara’s younger sister, constructed Roshanara Bagh, a Mughal pleasure garden in northern Delhi, complete with intricate pavilions and water features.

Zeb-un-Nissa: The poet-princess and patron of the arts

Aurangzeb’s eldest daughter, Zeb-un-Nissa, was a renowned poet, scholar, and cultural patron. While no surviving structures are directly attributed to her, she played a vital role in promoting literary and artistic endeavours in Mughal Delhi.

Zeenat Mahal: The last empress of Delhi

Zeenat Mahal, the wife of Bahadur Shah Zafar, wielded significant political influence in the final years of the Mughal Empire. She is believed to have commissioned several structures in Old Delhi, though most were lost after the British suppression of the 1857 Revolt. Her once-grand residence, Zeenat Mahal, now lies in ruins near Chandni Chowk.

Echoes of an overlooked past

Across Delhi’s landscape, the traces of these women endure—in mosques where prayers still rise, in tombs where silence lingers, and in gardens where history whispers through rustling leaves. Their commissions, whether grand or modest, were not merely architectural feats but statements of power, devotion, and intellect.

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Even as time has obscured their names, the monuments they left behind continue to shape the city’s cultural fabric, reminders of an era when these women, often relegated to the margins of historical narratives, inscribed their presence in stone.