Get Complete Information on the Early Life of Jahangir

It has rightly been observed that Jahangir was the child of many prayers. Akbar wanted an . heir to succeed him and he not only prayed to God, but also begged of the blessings of saints to have such a son. He waited on Chisti at Ajmer for the same purpose. Ultimately, a son was born in August, 1569, and he was named Muhammad Salim. Akbar used to call him Shaikhu Baba.

As the child was got after many efforts, Akbar left no stone unturned to make him as much accomplished as he could be. He started his education at the age of 4 and many capable tutors were employed to teach him Persian, Arabic, Turki, Hindi, Arithmetic, History, Geography and other sciences. The most important was Abdur Rahim Khan-i-Khana who was a versatile genius.

Prince Salim was betrothed to the daughter of Raja Bhagwan Das of Amber at the age of 15 and he was married in February, 1586. Khasrau was the offspring of this union. In addition to this marriage, Jahangir married many other women. The total number of wives in his harem was more than 800.

In spite of all the care which his father took, Prince Salim acquired all the evils of his age. He was a young man of very loose morals and was too much addicted to wine. Akbar did all that he could to mend him but failed.

In 1600, when Akbar was away in the Deccan engaged in capturing the Fort of Asirgarh, prince Salim who was probably “weary of waiting for the long deferred and ardently desired succession,” broke into open rebellion, and declared himself as Emperor. Akbar had to return to Agra and he sent many threats and remonstrances to Prince Salim but all that had no effect on him. In 1602, Prince Salim offended his ta’.iier by bringing the death of Abul Fazal.

Akbar was so very angry that he ordered that Bir Singh Bundela, the murderer, be put to death. However, Bir Singh escaped and thus saved his life. By these occurrences, the end of Akbar was hastened. There was a time when Akbar thought of superseding Salim by putting Prince Khusrau on the throne.

The prince was the son of the sister of Man Singh of Ambar and also the son-in-law of Mirza Aziz Koka. He was handsome in appearance and blameless in private life. However, Akbar gave up the idea. Prince Salim came back to Agra and surrendered himself before his father. After some trouble, he was received well by his father. Particularly after death of Prince Daniyal in April 1604, Prince Salim was left the only surviving son and heir.

When Akbar fell il! in October, 1605 and there was no chance of his life being spared, two parties were formed at the court. The one party headed by Man Singh and Mirza Aziz Koka was in favour of the succession of Khusrau and other party was in favour of the succession of Prince Salim.

As the party of Man Singh and Mirza Aziz Koka was in minority, Prince Salim was chosen the successor. Akbar himself, before his death, placed the Imperial Turban on the head of Salim, thereby recognising him as the successor. Thus it was that Prince Salim came to the throne in November, 1605.

Early Measures of Jahangir as a ruler:

Prince Salim assumed the Title of Jahangir or “World Grasper”. He released many prisoners and struck coins in his name. He proclaimed his policy in following 12 famous regulations. He prohibited the levy of many cesses called Tamga, Mir Bahri, etc. He prohibited the opening of merchants’ bales without their knowledge and permission. He forbade the manufacture and sale of wine and intoxicating drugs.

Government officers were ordered not to take possession of the house of anyone. No Government Collector or Jagirdar was to inter-marry with the people of his Pargana without the Royal Permission. Government Hospitals were to be established for the poor. He abolished the punishment of cutting of nose and ears. He forbade the officials to take possession of the land of the cultivator by force. He prohibited the slaughter of animals on certain days in the year. He ordered the building of Sarais, Mosques and wells on the roads.

The property of the deceased person was to be given to his heirs. In case there were no heirs, the property was to be used for the erection and repair of public buildings. Jahangir also confirmed all officers and Jagirdars in the posts which were occupied by them in the time of Akbar.

Jahangir ordered the setting up of chain of justice between the Shah Burji in the Fort of Agra and a stone-pillar fixed on the banks of the Jumna, for enabling the aggrieved persons to place their complaints before the Emperor. To quote Jahangir himself, “I ordered that the chain should be of pure gold, and be thirty gaz long with 60 bells upon it. The weight of it was four Hindustani Mans, equal to thirty-two mans of Iraq.” It must have cost the Emperor about three lakhs.