Anarkali
Anarkali () is a legendary woman said to be loved by the 16th-century Mughal Prince Salim, who later became Emperor Jahangir. According to some accounts, Anarkali was the nickname of the tawaif Sharf-un-Nisa, though scholars hold varying opinions. According to speculative and fictional accounts, Anarkali had an illicit relationship with Salim, whose father, Mughal Emperor Akbar, had her executed by immurement. The character often appears in movies, books and historical fiction, most notably depicted in the 1960 Bollywood film Mughal-e-Azam in which she is portrayed by Madhubala. Historicity and development Anarkali was first mentioned in the journal of English tourist and trader William Finch, who visited the Mughal Empire on 24 August 1608. Western traveler accounts The earliest Western accounts about the relationship between Salim and Anarkali were written by British travellers William Finch and Edward Terry. Finch reached Lahore in February 1611, 11 years after the supposed death of Anarkali, to sell indigo he had purchased at Bayana on behalf of the East India Company. His account, which was written in early 17th-century English, gives the following information. ... is a faire monument for Don Sha his mother, one of the Akbar his wives, with whom it is said