Nur Jahan
Nur Jahan, d. 1646, Mughal princess, wife of Emperor Jahangir d. (1627). Originally named Mihr-un-Nisa, she was the daughter of Mirza Ghiyas Beg (Itmad-ud-Daula) a Persian refugee, and was born in Qandhar when her father was on way to India to seek his fortunes there. The princess had attracted the eyes of Prince Salim (later Emperor Jahangir) but was married off to Persian adventurer, Sher Afghan, who was given the jagir of Burdwan. When Jahangir ascended the throne in 1605 he sent Qutb-ud-Din to chastise Sher Afghan for his insubordination in 1607, but both of them were killed, and Mihr-un-Nisa was brought to the Mughal court, where she married Jahangir in 1611. She almost completely dominated the emperor who left almost the entire-affairs of the State to her, and gave her the title of Nur Jahan (Light of the World’). Her name was even mentioned on the coinage, and all her male relations were elevated to high offices. She wanted Shahryar, the younger son of Jahangir to succeed her husband which led to the revolt of Prince Khurram (Shahjahan) in 1622. She was a brave woman and contrived to rescue the Emperor through a strategem after he had been seized by Mahabat Khan in 1626. She did not play any significant role after the death of Jahangir (1627) though she survived him by 18 years and died at the age of 72. She is buried in Lahore in the mausoleum of her husband.
