1 NOR JAHAN, 157
2 s
3 golation was derived ‘from her ‘company, and _ his sole happiness seemed to
4 consist in exalting his new wife, and in surrounding her with honors. From
5 Mihr-ul-nisa (sun of women) she was surnamed Nur Mahal (the light of
6 the harem), and shortly after came to be styled Nur Jahdn Begum (the
7 light of the world). Her father, who had already been created Itimdd-ud-
8 Daula by Akber, was now elevated to the dignity of grand wazir, while her
9 . elder brother, Abul Kassan, was appointed Master of Ceremonies with the
10 title of Itimdd Khan. Dil-drdm, nurse of Nur Jahan, was appointed head
11 of the royal seraglio, which consisted of six thousand women, including
12 female slaves and women soldiers and guards, among whom were Chinese,
13 Abyssinians, Hindus, Circassians, and Mahomedans. .The Sadr-ul-Sadur
14 was forbidden to issue any stipend to any member of the harem without
15 Nur Jahdn’s seal. .
16 Nur Jahdn exercised a great influence over Jahangir, directed, it is be-
17 lieved, by the sage counsels of her father, She effected a most beneficial
18 change in his cruel disposition and put a check on his savage outbursts of
19 temper. She prevented his iuduigence in wine in the day time, and moder-
20 ated his evening potations. The emperor in his autobiography alludes most
21 touchingly to the good influence of Nur Jahdn and her family, and ascribes
22 much of his prosperity to their prudent counsels. “ At the period,” declares
23 the emperor, “in which this is written (about the fourteenth year of the
24 emperor’s reign) I may say that the entire possession of my treasure, whether
25 of gold or jewels, is under her. Of my unreserved confidence, indeed, the
26 Princess is in complete possession, and I can truly say that the whole fortunes
27 of my empire are in the hands of this highly endowed family.” The ele-
28 vation of the old man, Nur Jahdn’s father, to the coveted office of wazir
29 created no envy. He possessed all the qualities that adorn that exalted
30 rank, and he proved one of the ablest ministers that ever ruled at an Eastern
31 court.
32 In a few years matters reached such a pitch that, according to Muhammad
33 Hadi, the compiler of Jahdngir’s memoirs, his majesty was king only in
34 name. Nur Jahdn differed from the emperor as to her stately functions, only
35 in the fact that her name was not read in the Ghutba. The emperor con-
36 ferred upon her rights of sovereignty and government. In all matters that
37 attracted her attention, her will alone was law. She presented herself every
38 morning at the balcony of her palace (jharoka), below which all the grandees
39 and Omerahs were assembled to pay her homage and receive orders. Coins
40 were struck in her name with the superscription :—
41 cB pep OY wlyarg Rr | dyt} Se wedly psbile old chy,
42 “ By order of the King Jahéngir gold-has a hundred splendours added to it by receiving
43 the impression of the name of Nur Jahin the Queen Begum,”
44 Her seal bore the following inscription :—
45 glg pSilys SNyoo 3 aor ad] Lady mnt wha) 53
46 “Nite Jahin became, by the grace of God, the consort and partner of King Jahéngtr.”
47 All orders were issued. with the following title, ‘beariig the name of
48 Nir Jahdu :— a 8 ea -
49 ee a
50 .
51 nee slégh ets vhs sr lesfarle (6s x
52 ; en eee
53 ** By Order of Her Exalted Majesty, Nir Jahin Begum, Queen.”
54 The emperor was so enamoured of her that he could not bear, to part with
55 her for a moment ; and it is said that, while his majesty was seated in pub-
56 lic darbdr, a curtain was hung next to the throne, behind which sat Nir
57 She receives the title
58 Nur Jahan, light of
59 the world.
60 The emperor's des-=
61 eription of her influ-
62 ence over him.
63 She assumes the
64 royal prerogative,
65 endo. ACh Saba) Safe SEM Fi ecERIY "Ade over Hh iRaHtENBral ya al.com