The History of Humāyūn (Gulbadan Begam) 171: CCIII. Zuhra Begi and Agha.

171

Ar. zuhra, beauty, a yellow; the star Venus.
An inferior wife of Sultan Mahmud Mirza, mother of Makhduma Sultan Begam and of Sultan ‘Ali Mirza. She was married during the lifetime of Mahmud’s father, and therefore before Rajab 873H. (January, 1469), and was widowed Rabi II, 900H. (January, 1495). In 905H. (1499-1500) she entered into an intrigue with Shaibani, a fellow-tribesman, of which the ultimate aim was dominance in Samarqand for her son ‘Ali. A part of her scheme and offer was her own remarriage with Shaibani. Babar stigmatizes her action as ‘stupidity and folly,’ and says, further, ‘the wretched and weak woman, for the sake of getting herself a husband, gave the family and honour of her son to the winds. Nor did Shaibani Khan mind her a bit, or value her even so much as his other handmaids, concubines, or women. Sultan ‘Ali Mirza was confounded at the condition in which he now found himself, and deeply regretted the step he had taken. Several young cavaliers formed a plan for escaping with him, but he would not consent. As the hour of fate was at hand, he could not shun it. They put him to death in the meadow of Kulba. From his overanxiety to preserve this mortal and transitory life, he left a name of infamy behind him; and, from following the suggestions of a woman, struck himself out of the list of those who have earned for themselves a glorious name. It is impossible to write any more of the transactions of such a personage (? Zuhra), and impossible to listen any further to the recital of such base and dastardly proceedings.’