A Love Story That Saved Portuguese From Mughals

Today we are going to talk about an unusual love affair between a Portuguese woman and a Mughal emperor. A Portuguese woman named Juliana Dias Da Costa descent from Cochin; was bought into the court of Aurangzeb. She married Aurangzeb’s son Bahadur Shah I who became monarch overthrowing his father later. Before he sat on the throne, he was called Shah Alam.

Juliana dias da costa

Bahadur shah 1

It is said that when Aurangzeb threw his son into the prison, Juliana used to go and provide him luxurious food and provide him basic necessities. After 7 years of imprisonment, when Shah Alam killed his father and resumed the throne, he rewarded his wife and her influence become illimitable in the court. She became the Haram-Queen. The most interesting aspect of this story is she never shifted her religion and remained Christian throughout her life. In fact, she assisted in safeguarding Christians during the Mughal rule and took measures in spreading faith in Portuguese in India.

There are several stories, which claims that she also accompanied Bahadur Shah I in wars. She usually used war elephants, fought side by side Bahadur Shah I, and defended him.

There was a well-known settlement between the Portuguese and Mughal Akbar. However, the Portuguese annoyed Mughals with their misbehaviours and around the Shah Jahan Period 4,000 Christians held captives in dreadful condition. Juliana parents were one of these captives. She was born in 1645, after the death of her parents; Father Antonio de Magalhaes bought up Juliana. As Jesuit fathers bought her up; she spent some years in Goa as well. She was fluent in several international languages. She had great knowledge regarding international trade as well as medicine and surgery.

It is also said that she assisted Bahadur Shah I in winning the battle against his own brother for the throne. She became the tutor of Shah Bahadur I. She made him organize Portuguese guns in his artillery. She also provided Portuguese financial aids, it is said that around 1707 she said to have given fortune of 40 to 50 contos to the province of Goa. The Goa personnel report address her as ‘worthy benefactress of the College and Mission of Agra’

A strange statement, IKR!

Her well-known and tremendous role in Indian Mughal history allows us to see a period of history which had huge tolerance and respect for different religions, which can serve a lesson to the entire nation.

Note: Dr. Chauhan and Madhurkar Tewari contributed a lot in exploring the history of Juliana Dias Da Costa, you could read their books for in-depth information.