“Nearer the city, to the West of Sabzi Mandi, the suburb of the vegetable market, is Roshanara Begam’s garden. Visiting the garden would make you feel a part of the mughal history..roshanara the second daughter of the Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan and his Empress consort Mumtaz Mahal, lies buried in the middle of the garden
The ramshackle tomb, known as Baradari meaning ‘open pavilion’, has a roofless grave surrounded by intricately carved screens made of marble, and a hall, which had apartments with arched openings. The interior of the hall was beautifully decorated with paintings, some of which can be seen even today on the ceilings of the hall.As per history,.Governorship of Gujarat was taken away from Murad,shah jahan’s youngest son, and offered to the eldest and shah jahan’s favourite son Dara Shikoh, due to Murad’s efficiency to control the province. Shah Shuja, the second son and Aurangzeb, the third son had open intentions of seizing the throne for themselves. During this power struggle, Dara Shikoh received the support of his oldest sister ,Jahanara Begum ,while Roshanara Begum sided with Aurangzeb.
Roshanara became a powerful figure when she successfully foiled a plot by her father and Dara Shikoh(her elder brother)to kill Aurangazeb Shah Jahan sent a letter of invitation to Aurangazeb to visit Delhi, in order to peacefully resolve the embittered rivalry amongst the sons for the peacock throne. Shah jahan’s true intentions were to capture, imprison and kill him.When Roshanara got cue of her father’s plan, she sent a messenger to Aurangazeb, outlining Shah Jahan’s true intentions, and warning Aurangazeb to stay away from Delhi.When the war of succession was resolved in favour of Aurangazeb, she quickly became a powerful figure at court.
Roshanara resorted to untraditional and corrupt methods..owing to her greedy nature she accumulated wealth on a large scale, and had also earned hatred of her brother’s wives and people and. Roshanara, who was obliged to remain single, as was the tradition with Mughal princesses, instead took many lovers, some openly, some secretly. Aurangazeb ,being a very strict Muslim, did not approve of Roshanara’s lifestyle and her greedy nature. He stripped Roshanara of her powers, banished her from his court, and ordered her to remain in seclusion and live a pious life in her garden palace outside of Delhi.As per few historians Aurangazeb poisoned Roshanara in 1671 when she was caught with her lover in the garden.
In 1923, a European club known as Roshnara Club was established here and is today one of the most prestigious clubs of the capital.
