She was the first recipient of the imperial title Padshah Begum, a formal designation of being the first lady of the Mughal court.
[2] However, there is evidence to suggest that a certain Khwaja Muhammad Ali (referred to as "uncle" by Gulbadan) was Maham's brother.
One of Maham's children was born in the city and Humayun was later recorded as visiting his maternal grandparents in Khost.
[3] Abu'l-Fazl ibn Mubarak, the vizier of her grandson Akbar, states that Maham was from a noble family of Khorasan, descendants of the 11th century Sufi mystic Sheikh Ahmad Jami.
Though the exact relationship is not given, the wording used by Abu'l Fazl (nisbat-i-khwesh) may imply a blood-relation on her father's side.
[5] Consequently, Babur's marriage with Maham shortly after Sultan Husayn's death may have been a sign of condolence to her grieving royal relations.
Gulbadan, Maham Begum's adopted daughter, states that the empress was related to the owners of the New Year's Garden in Kabul, originally constructed by Ulugh Beg II, a paternal uncle of Babur.
[7] In addition, some considerations suggest that Gulbadan's mother, Dildar Agacha Begum, was also a relation of Maham's.
A devoted mother, Maham spent all her spare time to educate the prince in values dear to her.
She would narrate to him stories connected with her ancestor Shaikh Ahmad Jam and other renowned holy personages of his time.
Maham Begum was the chief queen and the only one, privileged to sit by the side of Babur on the throne of Mughal Empire.
She continued to be Padshah Begum and participated in the affairs of the imperial household organization of social functions and the maintenance of her husband's tomb, until her death.
Then she gave orders to the better class and to the soldiers also to decorate their places and make their quarters beautiful, and after this illumination became general in India.
Maham Begum was portrayed by Sahher Bambba in the Hotstar web series The Empire released on 27 August 2021.