The Book of Jahāngīr's Fortune 5: The Marriage of Jahangir with Nur Jahan.
Ikbál-náma-i Jahángírí, of Mu’tamad Khán (Elliot & Dowson, extracts) 5
- Language
- English
The Marriage of Jahangir with Nur Jahan.
5.1
Among the great events that occurred during this interval was the Emperor Jahangir’s demanding Nur Jahan Begam in marriage. This subject might be expanded into volumes, but we are necessarily confined to a limited space in thus describing the strange decrees of Fate. Mirza Ghiyas Beg, the son of Khwaja Muhammad Sharif, was a native of Teheran. Khwaja Muhammad was, first of all, the wazir of Muhammad Khan Taklu, governor of Khurasan. After the death of Muhammad Khan, he entered the service of the renowned King Tahmasp Safawi, and was entrusted with the wazirship of Yazd. The Khwaja had two sons, Aka Tahir and Mirza Ghiyas Beg. For his second son the Khwaja demanded in marriage the daughter of Mirza ’Alau-d din, who was the father of Aka Mulla. After the death of his father, Mirza Ghiyas Beg, with two sons and a daughter, travelled to Hindustan. On the road, as he was passing through Kandahar, by the blessing of God another daughter was born to him. In the city of Fathpur, he had the good fortune to be presented to the Emperor Akbar. In a short time, owing to his devotion to the King's service, and his intelligence, Mirza Ghiyas Beg was raised to the office of diwan or superintendent of the household. He was considered exceedingly clever and skilful, both in writing and in transacting business. He had studied the old poets, and had a nice appreciation of the meaning of words; and he wrote shikasta in a bold and elegant style.
5.2
His leisure moments were devoted to the study of poetry and style, and his generosity and beneficence to the poor was such that no one ever turned from his door disappointed. In taking bribes, however, he was very bold and daring. When His Highness the Emperor Akbar was staying at Lahore, 'Ali Kuli Beg Istajlu, who had been brought up under Shah Isma'il II., having come from the kingdom of 'Irak, became included among the number of the royal servants, and, as Fate ordered it, married that daughter of Mirza Ghiyas Beg who had been born in Kandahar. Afterwards, in the reign of Jahangir, he received a suitable mansab, and the title of Sher-Afgan was conferred on him. He next received a jagir in the province of Bengal, and departed thither to take possession. His murder of Kutbu-d din Khan and his own death have already been related. After the death of Kutbu-d din, the officials of Bengal, in obedience to royal command, sent to Court the daughter of Ghiyas Beg, who had been exalted to the title of 'Itimadu-d daula, and the King, who was greatly distressed at the murder of Kutbu-d din, entrusted her to the keeping of his own royal mother. There she remained some time without notice.
5.3
Since, however, Fate had decreed that she should be the Queen of the World and the Princess of the Time, it happened that on the celebration of New Year’s Day in the sixth year of the Emperor’s reign, her appearance caught the King’s far-seeing eye, and so captivated him that he included her amongst the inmates of his select harem. Day by day her influence and dignity increased. First of all she received the title of Nur Mahal, “Light of the Harem,” but was afterwards distinguished by that of Nur Jahan Begam, “Light of the World.” All her relations and connexions were raised to honour and wealth. * * No grant of lands was conferred upon any woman except under her seal. In addition to giving her the titles that other kings bestow, the Emperor granted Nur Jahan the rights of sovereignty and government. Sometimes she would sit in the balcony of her palace, while the nobles would present themselves, and listen to her dictates. Coin was struck in her name, with this superscription: “By order of the King Jahangir, gold has a hundred splendours added to it by receiving the impression of the name of Nur Jahan, the Queen Begam.” On all farmans also receiving the Imperial signature, the name of “Nur Jahan, the Queen Begam,” was jointly attached. At last her authority reached such a pass that the King was such only in name.
5.4
Repeatedly he gave out that he had bestowed the sovereignty on Nur Jahan Begam, and would say, “I require nothing beyond a sir of wine and half a sir of meat.” It is impossible to describe the beauty and wisdom of the Queen. In any matter that was presented to her, if a difficulty arose, she immediately solved it. Whoever threw himself upon her protection was preserved from tyranny and oppression; and if ever she learnt that any orphan girl was destitute and friendless, she would bring about her marriage, and give her a wedding portion. It is probable that during her reign no less than 500 orphan girls were thus married and portioned.