Mariam-uz-Zamani

The birth of their son made Rajkumari Heer Kunwari's husband, Emperor Akbar, give her the title Mariam-uz-Zamani - Mary of the Age - and he named the boy Salim, to acknowledge the holy man who had promised him three sons. Though she was his third wife, as mother of the heir-apparent Mariam-uz-Zamani took precedence over Akbar's other wives. She is a Hindu and her marriage to Akbar led him to look more favorable on Hinduism and his Hindu subjects. It also gave Akbar the powerful support of her family throughout his reign, and with the marriage to a Hindu Rajput princess he signaled that he would be the Badshah of his whole people, no matter their religion. Few women in court has ever been granted the right to issue farman, official documents which are usually the exclusive privilege of the emperor, but Akbar trusted Mariam-uz-Zamani enough to grant her that privilege. She used her title Wali Nimat Begam - the Gift of God - when she issued farmans. With her wealth amassed from her international trade in spices, silk and many other wares, she builds gardens, wells, and mosques. Mariam-uz-Zamani's private fortune dwarf many a European king and she is known to be an adventurous trader and the most prodigious trader at court. She held the Mansab rank of 12,000, the only woman to do so. Her ships carries pilgrims to and from Mecca, and the outrage at the court when the Rahimi, known as the great pilgrim ship, was seized by European soldiers and they officially refused to return the ship and its 600 passengers could be heard all the way to the holy city. It was released, and its passenger with it, but she bears a grudge against those who hindered the pilgrims to reach Mecca.