Maiden Name
After turning the pages of book, I came to know that she originally hailed from Persia. Her maiden name was Arjumand Banu and she was the daughter of Asif Khan, the brother of the emperor Jahangir's consort Noorjahan. It was after the death of her father-in -law(Jahangir) she was bestowed with the name Mumtaz Mahal and her husband Khurramm with Shah Jahan.

Fortuitous Meeting
Mumtaz Mahal was so pretty that Prince Khurram (Later shah Jahan) lost his heart to her in their very first meeting at her silk and glass beads shop. The next day of their fortuitous meeting, Prince Khurram put up a proposal before Emperor seeking Arjumand's hand. The emperor raised his hand in assent, perhaps recalling his own love for Noorjahan.

Grand Affair
However, five years were to pass before the two could marry. Astrologers chose 1612 as the auspicious year for their union. It was a grand wedding characterised with great pomp and show. Nobles in expensive dresses, musicians and dancers with their rare skills, rare animals in cages, acrobats, slaves and priests were all who witnessed the grand ceremony and enhanced the splendor of the event.

Golden Virtues
She was generous , and full of compassion. Mumtaz used to intercede on behalf of petitioners and gave allowances to widows and orphans. She had nerves of steel and used to accompany her husband in his expeditions. She is said to have enjoyed the spectacle of men in combat with animals

In her nineteen years of marriage she had 14 children, seven of whom died in infancy. When Mumtaz Mahal was still alive, she extracted four promises from the emperor: first, that he build the Taj; second, that he should marry again; third, that he be kind to their children; and fourth, that he visit the tomb on her death anniversary.

Eternal silence
Mumtaz Mahal died in childbirth to a child in 1630 in Deccan where she had gone accompanying Shah Jahan when he went to war with Khan Jahanbi Lodhi. The death of Mumtaz Mahal gave a blow to Shah Jahan. Entire kingdom went into mourning for two years. There were no celebrations and no merry-making.