Hamida Banu Begum was was the wife of Mughal Emperor Humayun and mother of Akbar the Great.
Hamida was the daughter of Shaikh Ali Akbar Jami. She born in the year 1527. Mah Arfraz Begum was the mother of Hamida Banu Begum. Her father was a Persian Shia and is also known as as Mir Baba Dost.
Hamida Banu Begum first met Humayun when she was merely 14 years old. The marriage of Hamida Banu Begum and Mughal Emperor Humayun took place in the year of 1541.
After her marriage, Hamida gave birth to a boy on 15th Oct, 1542. The boy, Jalaluddin Muhammad Akbar, became one of the greatest emperor in Indian History.
The early life of Humayun and Hamida Banu Begum as tough one. Humayun had to travel a lot and she had to accompany her.
She gave birth to a beautiful daughter in the year 1544. After a long period, Hamida had a chance to meet his son Akbar in 1545. The classic event has been beautifully presented in Akbarnama. Then young Akbar and his mother Hamida Banu Begum accompanied his father Humayun to Kabul.
It is important to note that Hamida Banu Begum was given the title of “Maryam Makani”. Hence, she is also known as Maryam Makani in historical chronicles.
Humayun died at the age of 47 in 1556. Akbar was merely a boy of 13 year old. Bairam Khan was appointed as the regent of Akbar. Hamida Banu Begum came from Kabul and joined Akbar to help him in politics. Akbar had deep love and felling of respect for his mother.
Hamida Banu Begum died on 29th of August 1604. Her remains were buried at the Tomb of Humayun in Agra.