Nur Jahan, a woman who did wonders in the Mughal reign

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Nur Jahan, a woman who did wonders in the Mughal reign

Nur Jahan, one of the most powerful women in Mughal history, was a lady of bewitching beauty and incomparable intelligence. Jahangir's most adored and trusted wife, who single-handedly rescued him from the clutches of a rebellious ruler, Mabahat Khan, with her cunning plan and physical strength. Nur Jahan's influence during the Mughal reign is a story worth remembering.

Nur Jahan was a girl of enchanting beauty, Image source-Youngisthan.in

Nur Jahan, or Mehr-un-Nisa, was born to Mirza Ghiyas Beg and Asmat Begum in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Her family suffered several misfortunes and unbearable circumstances before her birth. This forced them to abandon their homeland and flee to India. But, soon after Mehr-un-Nisa was born, Ghiya’s family prospered, and her father received a position in Akbar's court. Thus, she was regarded as a good luck charm by her family and was lavishly raised with the best education available at the time.

She was just seventeen when she had her first marriage to Sher Afghan Khan. He also served in the Mughal army along with Mehr-un-Nisa's father. However, he was later assassinated by Jahangir after being accused of plotting his murder. Mehr-un-Nisa's dream of life was dashed as a result of his husband's death. But, when Jahangir inherited the throne, her life changed dramatically. He summoned Mehr-un-Nissa to his court, as a custom of offering refuge to widows. Four years after she arrived, Jahangir had his last marriage with her and bestowed the name Nur Jahan on her. She became his favorite of all the wives, and it was during this time that she rose to power due to her extraordinary intelligence.

The fact that a woman was ruling the empire behind the emperor did not sit well with foreign visitors who came to see Jahangir. They mentioned several instances criticizing him for submitting the empire into the hands of his wife. Most of Nur Jahan's family members were given prestigious positions in the Mughal court during her reign, and she was also accused of using Jahangir to expand her family's influence in the empire.

During her rule, trade and commerce also thrived, and she made a major contribution to the Mughal treasury. She was particularly concerned about women's well-being and actively participated in their advancement. She was a wonderful writer who encouraged Mughal women's literary rights. She was also the first princess to have her name inscribed on coins.

Later, when Prince Khurram grew up, she also played an important role in his love life. It is said that Arjumanand Begum (Mumtaz Mahal) was her niece, and after learning of their love tale, she arranged their marriage. However, she got sidelined when Shah Jahan gained the throne after Jahangir’s death. Due to a conspiracy by Nur Jahan’s brother, Shah Jahan exiled her. She died in 1645 and was buried beside her husband. She was entombed in a tomb she created herself, with the inscription:

Let there be neither lamp nor rose on the grave of this poor stranger. Let neither butterfly’s wings burn nor nightingale sing.

Nur Jahan is described as a woman of exceptional beauty, with blue eyes and a sweet smile that could captivate anyone. Apart from her mesmerizing looks, she possessed a remarkable intellect. She was one of the most talented women in the Mughal dynasty, having mastered music, dance, the arts, and literature. Being a great patron of the arts, she always encouraged and commissioned many such projects during her reign. Although she did not rule the country directly, she was the true power behind the throne.

Being the emperor's favorite was a huge accomplishment, and thus Nur Jahan was constantly given special treatment at the court. But amidst this, Jahangir's opium addiction and heavy drinking habits increased, and he was soon in the clutches of harmful obsessions. His ability to rule the states was harmed as a result, and his reliance on Nur Jahan grew. She acquired control of the empire and proved to be a more able ruler than her husband. During Jahangir's frequent absences, she ruled everything on her own, elevating her prestige to new heights.

Gradually, her validity was sought in all political matters, and she quickly gained complete control of the empire. She was frequently seen in jharokhas, addressing audiences and issuing important orders without Jahangir. During Jahangir's constant absence from court proceedings, her authority grew in importance. At that time, such a position and power residing in the hands of a woman was a matter of amazement.