The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c17.25

v4.c17.25

The chief power in the empire was now vested in the empress Nūr Jahān, who acted with her father I'timād-ud-daula, and brother Āsaf Khān. A legend grew up later that Jahāngīr had fallen in love with her in childhood, and had treated her husband as David dealt with Uriah. Contemporary history does not support this story,¹ which appears to have grown up long after her influence was established. When Sher Afgan was killed in 1607 his widow who was then styled Mihr-un-Nisa (Sun of womankind) was sent to court and became an attendant on Salīma Begam, the widow of Akbar. At the spring ceremony in March, 1611, Jahāngīr was attracted by her and married her two months later, changing her name to Nūr Mahall (Light of the palace). Her charm and beauty was equalled by her devotion to Jahāngīr and by her capability and tact, and her own influence over the emperor was immensely enhanced by the other members of her family. Rapid promotion was given to her father and brother, and her mother's discovery of the way to prepare attar of roses won the admiration of the aesthetically-minded emperor. A year after his own marriage Jahāngīr celebrated the wedding of his son Khurram with Arjumand Bānū, daughter of Āsaf Khān, thus cementing a link which bound Khurram to the leading spirits for many years. As the emperor's intellect deteriorated through his bodily indulgences and his concentration on pleasure, he was glad to leave to his wife and her advisers the task of deciding most affairs of state. His biographer records that he repeatedly said that he had bestowed the sovereignty on Nūr Jahān and for himself needed nothing but a quart of wine and a pound of flesh. Within a month of his arrival at the court at Ajmer, Roe discovered the power exercised by her and her clique. When his draft of a treaty was returned with alterations which he could not possibly accept he at first supposed that the lower officials were responsible. He soon found that Āsaf Khān was unreliable and had strong influence over Khurram. He writes bitterly: