Today in History: April 27 — Mumtaz Mahal, Zohra Sehgal, Feroz Khan, Vinod Khanna and More

April 27 is a date that weaves together centuries of Indian history - from the grand sweep of Mughal power to the glitter of Bollywood, from social reform to space exploration. It marks the beginning of Babur's reign as King of Delhi in 1526, the birth of Mumtaz Mahal - the inspiration behind the Taj Mahal - and the passing of two of Indian cinema's most iconic stars, Feroz Khan and Vinod Khanna.

April 27 is truly a date that spans the full spectrum of India's historical, cultural, and political legacy.

April 27 in Indian and World History: Key Events

Babur's Reign Begins - April 27, 1526

Following his decisive victory at the First Battle of Panipat on April 21, 1526, Babur formally commenced his reign as the King of Delhi on April 27, 1526. This marked the beginning of the Mughal Empire - one of the most powerful, culturally rich, and architecturally magnificent empires in the history of the Indian subcontinent. The Mughal dynasty that Babur founded would go on to rule India for over three centuries, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy in art, architecture, literature, and governance.

India's First Telegram - April 27, 1954

On April 27, 1954, India dispatched its first telegram - a landmark moment in the country's communication history. The telegram service went on to become a vital means of communication for millions of Indians across several decades before the Telegraph service was officially discontinued in July 2013 with the rise of mobile phones and the internet. The first telegram symbolised India's early steps toward building a modern communication infrastructure in the post-independence era.

Mumtaz Mahal - Born April 27, 1593

One of the most poignant births associated with April 27 is that of Mumtaz Mahal - born Arjumand Banu Begum on April 27, 1593. She was the beloved wife of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan and the inspiration behind one of the most magnificent structures ever built - the Taj Mahal in Agra. When Mumtaz Mahal passed away in 1631 during childbirth, a grief-stricken Shah Jahan commissioned the construction of the Taj Mahal as an eternal monument of his love for her. Completed in 1653, the Taj Mahal is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Wonders of the World - an immortal symbol of love that draws millions of visitors every year.

Mahatma Gandhi Suspends Passive Resistance - April 27, 1911

On April 27, 1911, Mahatma Gandhi - then leading the Indian community's rights movement in South Africa - agreed to suspend the Indian passive resistance movement following a significant meeting with General JC Smuts. This was an important moment in Gandhi's evolving philosophy of Satyagraha (non-violent resistance) and his early experiments with passive resistance as a tool of political negotiation. The lessons Gandhi learned through these South African struggles would later form the philosophical and strategic foundation of India's independence movement.

Notable Births on April 27

Zohra Sehgal (Born April 27, 1912)

Zohra Mumtaz Sehgal, born on April 27, 1912, was one of the most extraordinary and beloved figures in Indian performing arts. A pioneering actress, dancer, and choreographer, she trained under the legendary Uday Shankar and went on to have a remarkably long and illustrious career spanning theatre, Bollywood, and international cinema and television. She remained professionally active well into her 90s - earning the affectionate title of "India's oldest working actress". She received the Padma Shri and the Padma Vibhushan - two of India's highest civilian honours - for her extraordinary contributions to Indian arts and culture. Her infectious energy, sharp wit, and love for life made her one of the most cherished personalities in Indian entertainment.

Manibhai Bhimbhai Desai (Born April 27, 1920)

Manibhai Bhimbhai Desai, born on April 27, 1920, is celebrated as the "Father of the White Revolution" - the man who played a foundational role in transforming India's dairy sector and enhancing milk production across the country. His work built on the legacy of Operation Flood and contributed enormously to making India one of the world's largest producers of milk. His dedication to rural development and cooperative dairy farming changed the lives of millions of farmers across India.

Harish Rawat (Born April 27, 1948)

Harish Rawat, born on April 27, 1948, is a senior leader of the Indian National Congress and a prominent political figure in Indian politics. He served as the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand and has been a long-standing member of Parliament with deep roots in the political landscape of the Himalayan state. His political career reflects a lifelong commitment to public service and the welfare of the people of Uttarakhand.

Palanisamy Sathasivam (Born April 27, 1949)

Palanisamy Sathasivam, born on April 27, 1949, is a distinguished jurist who served as the Chief Justice of India - the highest judicial office in the country. He later served as the Governor of Kerala. His distinguished legal career and contribution to Indian jurisprudence have earned him deep respect in the country's legal fraternity.

Syed Akbaruddin (Born April 27, 1960)

Syed Akbaruddin, born on April 27, 1960, is one of India's most senior and respected diplomats. He served as India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations and as the Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs. Known for his sharp intellect and articulate communication, he is widely regarded as one of India's most effective voices on the international diplomatic stage.

Notable Dealth on April 27

Feroz Khan (Died April 27, 2009)

Feroz Khan was one of the most charismatic, stylish, and influential stars in the history of Hindi cinema. Known for his rugged good looks, western-influenced style, and magnetic screen presence, he brought a new dimension of glamour and action to Bollywood. As an actor, director, and producer, his films - including the iconic Qurbani (1980) - were landmark entertainers that defined an era. He passed away on April 27, 2009, leaving behind a legacy as one of Bollywood's greatest showmen.

Vinod Khanna (Died April 27, 2017)

Vinod Khanna was one of the most handsome and talented actors in the history of Indian cinema. Born in Peshawar, he rose to become one of Bollywood's biggest superstars in the 1970s and 80s, delivering memorable performances in films like Amar Akbar Anthony, Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, Hera Pheri, and Dayavan. In a remarkable life choice, he temporarily left the peak of his film career to follow the spiritual teachings of Osho Rajneesh, before returning to both cinema and politics. He served as a Member of Parliament from Gurdaspur, Punjab, and as a Union Minister in the BJP government. He passed away on April 27, 2017, and his loss was mourned deeply by fans, colleagues, and the entire film fraternity.

Apollo-16 Returns to Earth - April 27, 1972

On April 27, 1972, the Apollo-16 spacecraft successfully returned to Earth after its historic mission to the Moon. Astronauts John Young, Charles Duke, and Ken Mattingly safely splashed down in the Pacific Ocean, completing the fifth crewed lunar landing mission in NASA's Apollo programme. The Apollo-16 mission collected over 95 kilograms of lunar samples and conducted extensive scientific experiments on the lunar surface - advancing humanity's understanding of the Moon significantly.

Airbus A-380 Inaugural Test Flight - April 27, 2005
On April 27, 2005, the Airbus A-380 - the world's largest commercial passenger aircraft - made its inaugural test flight from Toulouse, France. This was a landmark moment in the history of commercial aviation. The A-380, capable of carrying up to 853 passengers in an all-economy configuration, represented a giant leap in aviation technology, engineering, and passenger capacity. The aircraft went on to become a symbol of modern long-haul travel for airlines around the world.

National Defence College Established - April 27, 1960

On April 27, 1960, India established the National Defence College (NDC) in New Delhi - a premier institution for higher defence studies and strategic thinking. The NDC trains senior military officers and civil servants in national security strategy, international relations, and defence management. Its establishment reflected India's commitment to building a world-class strategic defence education system in the post-independence era.