Nur Jahan: Empress of Mughal IndiaNur Jahan was one of the most powerful and influential women in Indian history. Born on a caravan traveling from Teheran to India, she became the last (eighteenth) wife of the Mughal emperor Jahangir and effectively took control of the government as he bowed to the effects of alcohol and opium. Her reign (1611-1627) marked the highpoint of the Mughal empire, in the course of which she made great contributions to the arts, religion, and the nascent trade with Europe. An intriguing, elegantly written account of Nur Jahan's life and times, this book not only revises the legends that portray her as a power-hungry and malicious woman, but also investigates the paths to power available to women in Islam and Hinduism providing a fascinating picture of life inside the mahal (harem). |
Contents
| 3 | |
| 8 | |
| 19 | |
3 Rise of the Junta 16111620 | 43 |
4 The World Conqueror | 62 |
5 Life in the Womens Palaces | 88 |
6 The English Embassy | 128 |
7 Breakup of the Junta 16201627 | 161 |
10 In the Gardens of Eternal Spring | 244 |
11 The Rebellion of Mahabat Khan | 260 |
12 Death of Jahangir and Retirement to Lahore | 275 |
Selected Members of Jahangirs Family | 288 |
Selected Members of Nur Jahans Family | 289 |
Brief Chronology of the Jahangir Era | 290 |
Notes | 292 |
Abbreviations and Selected Annotated Bibliography | 371 |
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Common terms and phrases
A. S. Beveridge Abul Agra Ahmad Sirhindi Ain-i Akbari Akbar Asaf Khan Aurangzeb Banu Begam Bengal Bernier Beveridge in Gulbadan Blochmann Broecke brother Burhanpur Christian Coryat court daughter death Deccan Early Travels East India Company elephant emperor English eunuch example farman father Finch in Foster Findly garden Ghiyas Beg Guerreiro harem Hawkins in Foster Hindu husband Ikbal-nama-i Jahangiri E&D imperial India Company Letters Iqbalnama Islam Itimaduddaula Jahangir Jain Jarric Jesuits junta Kandahar Kashmir Khan's Khankhanan Khurram Khusrau king Koka Laet Lahore later Mahabat Khan Mahal Manucci marriage married Maryamuzzamani Mihrunnisa Mirza Misra mother Mughal Painting Mundy Muslim Naqshbandi nobles noted Nur Jahan palace Pant Parviz Pelsaert Persian Portuguese Prasad Prince queen Qutbuddin Rajput reign religious Roe's sarai Shah Jahan Shahryar Sher Afgan Shujauddins Singh Sirhindi Sribhanucandraganicarita story Sultan Surat Tavernier Terry throne tomb took trade tradition Tuzuk Valle wife woman women zanana
Popular passages
Page 324 - There is something very impressive of state and royalty in the march of these sixty or more elephants ; in their solemn and, as it were, measured steps ; in the splendour of the Mikdembers, and the brilliant and innumerable followers in attendance...
Page 265 - I have assured myself that escape from the malice and implacable hatred of Asaf Khan is impossible, and that I shall be put to death in shame and ignominy. I have therefore boldly and presumptuously thrown myself upon Your Majesty's protection. If I deserve death or punishment, give the order that I may suffer it in your presence.
Page 10 - To carry the child was impossible : the mother could not even hold herself fast on the horse. ^. long contest began between humanity and necessity : the latter prevailed, and they agreed to expose the child on the highway. The infant, covered with leaves, was placed under a tree; and the disconsolate parents proceeded in tears. ' When they had advanced about a mile from the place, and the eyes of the mother could no longer distinguish the solitary tree under which she had left her daughter, sho gave...
Page 46 - Her former and present supporters have been well rewarded, so that now most of the men who are near the King owe their promotion to her, and are consequently under . . . obligations to her. . . . Many misunderstandings result, for the King's orders or grants of appointments, etc., are not certainties, being of no value until they have been approved by the Queen.
Page 127 - ... of her, and became in love with her. ... At length he determin'd to receive her for his lawful Wife above all the rest. And as such she commands and governs at this day in the King's Haram with supream authority ; having cunningly remov'd out of the Haram, either by marriage, or other handsome ways, all the other Women who might give her any jealousie ; and having also in the Court made many alterations by deposing and displacing almost all the old Captains and Officers, and by advancing to dignities...
Page 60 - ... Kyng hath sollicited for more. I thinck 4 or 5 handsome cases of that wyne wilbe more welcome than the richest lewell in Cheapesyde. Pictures, lardge, on cloth, the frames in peeces ; but they must be good, and for varyetye some story, with many faces, for single to the life hath beene more vsuall. If the Queene must be presented (which I will not aduise too, and doe purpose, as well out of necessytye as ludgment, to breake this Custome of daylye bribing) fine needle woorke toyes, fayre bone...
Page 244 - curious gardens, planted with fruitful! trees and delightful flowers to which Nature daily lends such a supply as that they seeme never to fade. In these places they have pleasant fountaynes to bathe in and other delights by sundrie conveyances of water, whose silent murmure helps to lay their senses with the bonds of sleepe in the hot seasons of the...
Page 10 - She endeavoured to raise herself; but she had no strength to return. Aiass was pierced to the heart. He prevailed upon his wife to sit down : he promised to bring her the infant. He arrived at the place. No sooner had his eyes reached the child, than he was almost struck dead with horror. A black snake, it is said, was coiled around it; and Aiass believed he beheld him extending his fatal jaws to devour the infant.
Page 337 - It should not escape notice that gold and silver, after circulating in every other quarter of the globe, come at length to be swallowed up, lost in some measure, in Hindoustan.