Ruhani Bai Begum
| Ruhani Bai Begum | |
|---|---|
| Ruhani Bai | |
| Spouse | Chhatrasal |
| Issue | Mastani |
| House | Bundela (by marriage) |
| Religion | Shia Islam |
Ruhani Bai Begum (also spelled as Ruhaani Bai Begum) was the 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.