| 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]
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.[ citation needed ]
In gratitude, Chhatrasal gave Bajirao the hand of Mastani, his daughter with his concubine Ruhani Begum, along with dominion over Jhansi, Sagar and Kalpi.[ citation needed ]
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.[ citation needed ]