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Nur Jahan: Powerful Queen of Mughal India

Nur Jahan was a favourite wife of Jahangir, the fourth Mughal Emperor. She was one of very few women who was part of decision making process in the affairs of the Mughal state. She had deep influence on Jahangir who took pride in saying that he had handed her the country in lieu of a cup of wine and few pieces of mutton. She was the first Mghal queen in whose name coins were struck. 

Daughter of a Persian immigrant, Mirza Giyas Beg of Teheran, Nur Jahan, born Mehr-un-Nissa, married Jahangir after the death of her first husband Sher Afghan (Ali Quli Istajlu), who was a Mughal officer posted in the province of Bengal. Sher Afghan was killed fighting Kutubuddin, the governor of Bengal, in 1607. Nur Jahan married Jahangir in 1611.  

After her marriage with Jahangir, she came to be known as Nur Mahal (Light of the Palace). Five years later she was bestowed the title of Nur Jahan (Light of the Palace) by the emperor. 

The contention of some that Jahangir was instrumental in the murder of Sher Afghan is disputed. 

Tombs of Sher Afghan and Qutubuddin In Burdwan in West Bengal / Image source

Being a favourite consort of Jahangir it was natural that important posts and positions in the state were given to her relatives while the emperor enjoyed wine and opium. Her father received high office and was given the title of Itmad- ud- Daulah. Her brother, Asaf Khan, became the prime minister of the empire. Asaf Khan’s daughter Mumtaz Mahal was married to Shah Jahan who later succeeded Jahangir.

As Nur Jahan grew more powerful, she invited the jealousy of other Mughal officers. Her relations with Khurram (Shah Jahan) became sour. She married off her daughter, Mihr-un-nissa Begum better known as Ladli Begum (from her first husband, Sher Afghan), to Shaharyar, another son of Jahangir in 1621, and pushed his claim to the Mughal throne. 

Under the influence of Nur Jahan who created a wedge between Jahangir and Khurram, the former deprived the later of all posts. Khurram rose in revolt but was defeated by the imperial forces in 1623.

Jahangir died in 1627. Nur Jahan survived him by 18 years and died in 1645. She was buried in a tomb at Shahdara, Lahore, which she herself got built during her lifetime.

Nur Jahan was a great patron of art. She built an elegant tomb for her father known as Itmad- ud- Daulah’s tomb located in Agra. This monument has the deep "imprint of the refined feminism of Nur Jahan".

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