Ruhani Bai Begum
| Ruhani Bai Begum | |
|---|---|
| Ruhani Bai | |
| Spouse | Chhatrasal |
| Issue | Mastani |
| House | Bundela (by marriage) |
| Religion | Sunni Islam |
Ruhani Bai Begum (also spelled as Ruhaani Bai Begum) was the daughter of Nizam of Hyderabad and chief consort of Bundela Rajput ruler Chhatrasal, ruler of Panna from 1675 to 1731.[1][2]
Mastani’s marriage
Ruhaani was of Persian Muslim descent.[3]
In 1728, when Muhammad Khan Bangash invaded Chhatrasal's kingdom and besieged his capital. Chhatrasal wrote to Maratha Peshwa Bajirao I for help but being occupied in a military campaign Bajirao could not respond until 1729, when he finally marched on towards Bundelkhand. Ultimately Bajirao defeated Bangash after reaching Jaitpur near Kulpahar in present Uttar Pradesh.[4]
In gratitude, Chhatrasal gave Bajirao the hand of Mastani, his daughter with his concubine Ruhani Begum, along with dominion over Jhansi, Sagar and Kalpi.[5]
At first Ruhani Begum was against the marriage of her daughter Mastani with Bajirao I as Mastani was half-Muslim. She was concerned that her daughter may be discriminated for being a follower of Shia Islam, whereas Bajirao was a Hindu Brahmin. However, Ruhani Begum accepted this marriage later on the advice of her husband, that Mastani was also a half-Hindu and being a follower of the Pranami Sampradaya will not treated with any discrimination.[6]
In popular culture
In film and television
- Zila Khan portrayed Ruhaani Bai Begum in the historical epic film Bajirao Mastani (2015).[7]
- Dolly Sohi portrayed Begum in the TV series Peshwa Bajirao.[8]
- Rudrakshi Gupta portrayed Begum in the TV series Kashibai Bajirao Ballal.[9]
In literature
- Begum is a character in Niranjan Mudholkar's historical fiction novel The Kingdom of God.[10]
See also
References
- ^ Mehta, Jaswant Lal (2005-01-01). Advanced Study in the History of Modern India 1707-1813. Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd. ISBN 978-1-932705-54-6.
- ^ Vareekal, George (2022-03-19). Passionate love legends of the past: Stories of Undying Romances. Notion Press. p. 101. ISBN 979-8-88555-411-4.
- ^ Kullrich, Nina (2022-02-14). Skin Colour Politics: Whiteness and Beauty in India. Springer Nature. p. 60. ISBN 978-3-662-64922-0.
- ^ Mehta, Jaswant Lal (2005-01-01). Advanced Study in the History of Modern India 1707-1813. Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd. p. 108. ISBN 978-1-932705-54-6.
- ^ Chavan, Akshay (2019-05-13). "Raja Chhatrasal: Bundelkhand's Hero". PeepulTree Live History India. Retrieved 2026-02-10.
- ^ Liu, H. (2022, October 11). Pranami Sampraday. In Encyclopedia. Retrieved February 10, 2026.
- ^ "The inner child in me found the rhythmic beat of Sufi music full of 'masti': Zila Khan". Firstpost. 2016-04-10. Archived from the original on 2020-11-06. Retrieved 2025-12-05.
- ^ "Historical roles come with responsibilities: Dolly Sohi". The Hans India. 2017-07-28. Retrieved 2025-12-05.
- ^ "Exclusive! Balika Vadhu fame Rudrakshi Gupta roped for Zee TV's Kashibai Bajirao Ballal". Telly Chakkar. Retrieved 2025-12-05.
- ^ Mudholkar, Niranjan (2022-09-15). The Kingdom of God. Notion Press. ISBN 978-1-68538-288-9.