Nur Jahan was the daughter of Mirza Ghias Beg, a native of Tehran. Her real name was Mehrunnisa. Her father came to India and sought employment at the court of Akbar. Mehrunnsia, a charming and beautiful girl, frequented the royal palace. Her beauty caught the eye of Jahangir, who fell in love with her. For many years, she repelled his advances and even married Sher Afghan, a jagirdar in Burdwan.

It is said that when Jahangir became the emperor he involved Sher Afghan in a case of treason and had him killed. Mehrunnsia was brought to the court of the Mughal emperor in A.D. 1607. In A.D. 1611, Jahangir married her and made her his chief queen. Later he conferred on her the titles of Nur Mahal and Nur Jahan (light of the World).

Jahangir was so much in love with her that he granted all her wishes. Soon she got her father and her brother Asaf Khan appointed to very high posts. The emperor sought her advice on all matters including those of administration. He started depending heavily on her and with her at the helm of affairs; he took to wine and pleasure seeking. Her name started appearing in the royal decrees and firmans were read in her name her portrait was struck on the coins along with the emperor’s.

She started wielding great power and authority. She favored her own relatives and appointed them to high posts. Her policy of nepotism aroused bitterness and jealousies amongst the courtiers. Her misuse of power created an atmosphere of suspicion and it greatly undermined the efficiency of the state.

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Decline of Nur Jahan and her Death:

After Jahangir’ death Nur Jahan made many attempts to install her son-in-law Shahriyar on the throne but failed to do so. Her own brother, Asaf Khan, whom she had raised to the rank of Khan-i-Saman, now stood in her way. Asaf Khan’s daughter Arjumand Bano (Mumtaz Mahal) was already married to Prince Khurram. He helped Khurram to arrest Shahriyar and Nur Jahan. Thus, her power and influence diminished. She died in 1645 and was laid to rest beside Jahangir in Sahadra, Lahore.