Daily Times

‘I bought the whole of Lahore at the cost of my own life. Gave up my life and bought another paradise.” These were the words of the most powerful empress of the Mughal Empire, Noor Jahan.

She holds a prominent place among the distinguished ladies of all times, not just of India but of the entire world.

Noor Jahan’s life from early childhood to the end is fascinating. It seems more like a work of art or fiction than reality. Her father Mirza Ghayas Baig belonged to a very respectable and influential family of Tehran. He was the youngest son of Khwaja Mohammad Shareef, who was a poet and vizier (minister of state) of the province of Khorasan. After the death of Khwaja Mohammad Shareef, the family fell on hard times. The reversal in family fortunes compelled Mirza Ghayas Baig to move to India in search of a better life for himself and his young family. He left Iran, along with his pregnant wife Asmat Begum, two sons and a daughter. On the way, his wife gave birth to a daughter near Qandhar on 31 May 1577.

According to some accounts, the family was forced to abandon the child under a tree, due to extremely adverse circumstances. Luckily, a passing caravan headed by Malik Masood, found the new born baby girl and took her with him. As they moved forward, they met Mirza Ghayas Baig and his family. Some accounts narrate that the family met the caravan of Malik Masood on their way and he took them along, there is no mention of child abandonment in these accounts. Whatever the case may have been the fact remains that they met Malik Massod who helped them in every possible way. The birth of the daughter and was taken as an auspicious sign that signalled a change in the family’s fortune. This child was named Mehrunnisa (sun among women).

Malik Massod had influence and reach in the court of Emperor Akbar. He got Mirza Ghayas Baig a job in the court as well. As per traditions of the royal court, Mirza’s wife also used to visit the court. Mehr-u-Nissa accompanied her mother on these occasions and thus spent her early childhood and adolescence learning the decorum and ways of the royal court. She was able to receive first-rate education on account of her father’s position and became well versed in Arabic and Persian languages, art, literature, music and dance. The poet and author Vidya Dhar Mahajan would later praise her as having a piercing intellect and sound common sense but with a volatile temper.

Mehr u Nisa was about 14 years old when Emperor Akbar came to Lahore. One of his couturiers, Qasim Khan arranged Meena Bazar (Fair) in Dilkusha Garden. Some accounts say that it was the place where there is now Governor House and some say that it was the place where Shalimar Garden now stands. This was the occasion when the Crown prince first met Mehr-u-Nisa. As the legend goes, the prince asked her to hold two pigeons as he chased after the third one. When he returned he saw that one of the pigeons had flown away. Angrily he asked her that how did she let that happen. In reply Mehr un Nisa opened her hand and let go of the other pigeon, telling the prince sweetly, ‘That’s how….’ This innocence won the young Prince’s heart. The Emperor noticed Salim’s growing interest in Mehr U Nisa and on his orders her marriage was arranged with Ali Quli Khan. Ali Quli Khan was later given the title of Sher Afgan (The Lion Slayer) and sent to Bengal. In Bengal, Mehr un Nisa gave birth to her only daughter, Ladli Begum. She wasn’t able to bear a child after her. Ladli Begum was eventually married to Jahangir’s fifth son, Shehryar Mirza whose mother was a Hindu concubine.

There are numerous accounts in history about the second meeting of Prince Jahangir and Mehr un Nisa in royal court as many historians have written about it.

An Italian writer and traveler Niccolao Manucci has also given some detail of this encounter. According to him, after the death of Akbar and Jahangir’s ascension to the throne, he was staying in Lahore. One day as he was enjoying the weather in one of his palaces along the banks of river Ravi, he saw a covered boat approaching that was carrying an enchanting lady. The philandering Jahangir sought details about her. He found out that the lady in question was his first love, Mehr un Nisa who was at that time wife of SherAfgan.

According to some accounts, the family was forced to abandon the child under a tree due to extremely adverse circumstances. Luckily, a passing caravan headed by Malik Masood, found the new born baby girl and took her with him.

Jahangir sent his step brother, Qutub ud Din to Sher Afgan asking him to divorce his wife. Sher Afgan not only refused to follow the royal command but also killed Qutub Ud Din. Sometime later Jahangir got Sher Afgan killed in Patna through a conspiracy.

Mehr un Nisa was captured and sent to Agra. It took Jahangir four years to woo the grieving and loyal Mehr un Nisa. Succumbing to the Emperor’s continued pressure and insistence; she finally accepted his proposal and the two were married in the year 1611 AD. She was thirty four years old at the time of her second marriage and she would be Jahangir’s twentieth and last legal wife. Although she was two years older than Jahangir but she was a ravishing beauty with fair skin, a sharp nose and large eyes. One of the reasons of Noor Jahan’s fame is her being the axis of Emperor Jahangir’s legendary love story.

Shortly after the wedding, she was given the title of Noor Mahal (light of palace). Sometime later she was bestowed with the title of Noor Jahan (light of the world). A coin was also struck in her name in the year AH 1037.

She was the only Mughal Empress to have coinage struck in her name. The value of this coin was greater than that of the Emperor’s own coin. According to some accounts the coin was inscribed with twelve towers.

She was also responsible, almost single handedly, for many artistic, cultural, and architectural achievements of the Jahangir era. She also has the distinction of inventing Atar e Gulab (Rose Essence). There is an interesting story behind the invention. The empress usually had her bath in a pond along with the Emperor, in Bagh E Dilkusha. In preparation of the royal bath, the pond was filled with rose water. One day, they were both standing by the pond when she noticed bubbles on the surface of the water due to the high temperature. When the Empress sniffed a handful, she realized that it had turned into essence. This chance discovery led to the distillation of rose essence. In Tuzk e Jahangiri, this invention is attributed to Noor Jahan’s mother but majority of historians consider Noor Jahan as the inventor of rose essence.

Noor Jahan possessed great physical strength and courage and was renowned for her marksmanship. She often accompanied her husband on hunting trips.

Tuzk E Jahangiri mentions her feat of killing four tigers in one hunting expedition thus, Noor Jahan slays lions’.

“On 7 Mah Ordi Bahisht 1026 AH, as the leading soldiers had the lions surrounded, I left for the hunt in the afternoon with the ladies of the palace. As soon as the lions were sighted, Noor Jahan Begum requested that may I be granted permission to shoot the lions with gun? I said, ‘It is fitting.’ She killed two lions with one bullet each and two were slain with two bullets. Four lions were laying dead, in the blink of an eye. I had never witnessed such marksmanship that too while sitting inside Imari (platform with a railing and a canopy) riding an elephant, six bullets are fired and not even one is missed and the four beasts couldn’t even get time to move or jump. I showered three thousand Ashrafi (gold coins) to show my appreciation of this marksmanship and bestowed upon Noor Jahan, a pair of diamond Poohnchi (Bracelets).’

It is said that a poet read this verse on the occasion, “Though Noor Jahan be in the form of woman. In the ranks of men she is the woman who is a tiger slayer.”

The literary nuance of this verse is that it also alludes to the fact that before becoming Jahangir’s wife, she was the wife of Sher Afgan.

The queen possessed great skills in arranging different functions and gatherings.

’26th, Mah Amardad, 14 Sha’aban 1026 AH on Thursday was the occasion of Shab e Bara’t, I arranged a feast in the buildings where Noor Jahan was staying that were surrounded by large ponds. In this gathering that was organized by the Begum; I called my amirs (Lords) and masahibs (couturiers) and decreed that all the guests should be served wine and other pleasure inducing drugs. Many of them chose wine. I ordered that anyone who partakes of wine should get seated on the place that befits his position and designation. Following my orders every guest was served a variety of Kebabs and nuts as condiments. It was a distinctly enjoyable feast. In the evening innumerable lamps were lighted. It was such a magnificent sight that surpassed any such event since the day this tradition of lamp-lighting was initiated. The reflection of lights in the ponds set fire to the water.’

The Emperor was extremely enamoured with his wife. The extent of his love could be ascertained from the following incidents.

‘Hakeem RoohUllah to be given his weight in silver:

Noor Jahan was ailing for a long time. Hindu and Muslim At’ba (physicians) who were reserved for serving the royal family, tried numerous remedies and therapies, but nothing worked, so he took up the responsibility for the treatment of Noor Jahan. With the grace and help of Khuda e Ta’ala, his treatment worked and in a short while Noor Jahan gained her health completely. In acknowledgement of this outstanding service I awarded him a befitting designation and ordered that he should be weighed in silver and be rewarded with the silver that is equal to his weight .’

The letter of Imam Quli Khan addressed to Noor Jahan begum,

“Around that time the mother of Imam Quli Khan, lord of Toran, sent a letter to Noor Jahan in which she expressed her love and affection and along with that gifts of Toran were sent as offerings. For that reason I sent Khwaja Naseer, who is one of my old servants and attendant since the time when I was a prince, with Noor Jahan Begum’s letter as an envoy and sent the delicate gifts of that country by his hand, when I was staying at Bagh e Noor Afshan.”

Bestowing Etimaadul Doala’s property on Noor Jahan,

“On 1st Safandar 1030 AH all the lands and all the holdings of the state and property belonging to EtimaadulDoala is being given to Noor Jahan Begum, and ordered that in future after the beating of the Royal drum her drum should be beaten.”

Noor Jahan was interested in architecture as well. She took keen interest in the construction of Jahangir’s mausoleum in Lahore. She had her own tomb built during her lifetime. It is also said that the design of Taj Mahal was also inspired by one of her own designs.

Numerous buildings including serays and gardens are credited to her.

According to the Dutch traveller Pelaert, her patronage of architecture was extensive, as he notes, “She erects very expensive buildings in all directions. Sarais or halting places for travellers and merchants, and pleasure gardens and palaces such that no one has seen before.”

The Bagh-e-Noor Afshan or Ram Bagh is a garden that reflects Noor Jahan’s legacy and is situated on the river bank. Its area is 40 begah, 40 bsoah pukhta or 22 acres, 3 rode 32 poal.

The empress was blessed with great political acumen. She exercised political authority with courage, intelligence and astuteness and did it despite constraints like pardah. During her previous marriage to Sher Afgan, her family had also become influential. After his death, they were found in a less than honourable position. Her marriage to the emperor changed everything. She got her close relatives appointed at influential positions like the governor of Bengal and the Sipah Salar (Head of the Army). Her father was appointed as prime minister. Her brother Asif Jah was also appointed as grand Wazir (minister) to Jahangir. Even her governance was given the title of Sadarunnisa (chief of women). To ensure the continuation of her family’s influence, she arranged the marriages of her daughter Ladli Begum with Jahangir’s son Prince Shehryar and her niece Arjumand Begum with Prince Khurram. She got Jahangir to give Khurram, the title of Shah Jahan as well. Due to her abilities, she became the centre of Jahangir’s life and was running the affairs of the kingdom. Emperor Jahangir acknowledged her pivotal role and wrote in Tuzk-e-Jahangiri, “I have sold my kingdom to my queen for a cup of wine and a dish of meat.”

Maulvi Zakaullah Dehlvi writes about the life of Noor Jahan in his book Tareekh-e-Hindustan, “Although the wives of the emperor were daughters of influential rajas, but none could hold a candle to Noor Jahan. Gradually, she started wielding all the authority and running of the affairs of the empire came in her hands. She was the mistress of privacy and company. She had unprecedented powers in running the affairs of the empire that no other king’s wife ever had before. She had coinage struck in her name.”

By the order of Emperor Jahangir, value of the gold hath increased a hundred fold with the inscription of the name of Noor Jahan, the Badshah Begum on it.

The writer can be reached at sherwani.tabassum@gmail.com