Lahore, Tomb of Mughal Emperor Jahangir

    

    Jahangir was born in 1569 at Fatehpur Sikri. Akbar named him Muhammad Sultan Saleem after Sheikh Saleem Chishti. He made great arrangements for his education and training and appointed Abdul Rahim Khan Khanan as his mentor. Due to his natural intelligence, Jahangir soon mastered Arabic, Persian, Turkish and Sanskrit and mastered history, geography, botany, music and painting. He was particularly interested in poetry and painting. At the age of 15, he got married for the first time in 1575 to Manbai alias Shah Begum, daughter of Raja Bhagwan Das Wali Amber. Regarding the number of wives of Jahangir, historians believe that the number of married wives was not less than twenty. From an early age, Shahzada Saleem was a lover of luxury and drinking. And this was a source of trouble for Akbar. When Akbar set out on an expedition to the Deccan in 1591, he appointed Saleem viceroy. But when Saleem reached Allahabad, he raised the flag of rebellion and seized the treasury of Bihar province. He took the title of king and declared his kingdom. Akbar returned to Agra from Asirgarh and summoned Abu al-Fadl from the Deccan. Saleem killed Abu al-Fadl on the way, much to Akbar's chagrin. Akbar had such vast resources that he could easily quell the revolt. But out of paternal love, he did not take any severe disciplinary action. Eventually, through the efforts of Saleema Bano Begum, the father and son were reconciled and Saleem, accompanied by his grandmother Maryam Makani, apologized. After Akbar's death, Prince Saleem ascended the throne in Agra on October 5 and took the title of Nooruddin Muhammad Jahangir. In the joy of the throne, a thousand prisoners were released and a coin in their name was issued. 

    

    Jahangir announced the adherence to the policy of protection of Islam and Akbar's total peace strategy. As soon as he ascended the throne, Jahangir enacted some corrective orders. Build permanent inns, mosques and wells on highways to combat theft and robbery. Making and selling alcohol and opium was banned. The eviction of farmers who built hospitals was prohibited and some revenue was revoked. The ban on the movement of goods was lifted. The feudal lords were strictly forbidden to occupy the lands of their subjects. He also ordered that the property of any official should not be confiscated after death but should be given to the heirs of the deceased. The hands, feet and ears of the criminals should not be cut off. Slaughter was prohibited on special days. Orders were issued for the general ratification of the positions of all the officials of Akbar's time and the jagirdars of the jagirdars. Jahangir's chain of justice gained great fame. By pulling this chain, the bells would start ringing in the royal palace and Jahangir would respond to every cry by himself. As for the chain of justice, Jahangir himself is of the opinion that this chain was of pure gold which was thirty yards long and adorned with sixty gold bells. He weighed four pounds. Prince Khusrau was the eldest son of Jahangir. He was very capable, high spirited and had the light of his grandfather Akbar. Some of the courtiers thought that perhaps Akbar wanted to put Khusrau on the throne after his death. In view of these rumors, Jahangir had imprisoned Prince Khosrow in the fort of Agra. Under the pretext of reciting Fateha at the grave of his grandfather Akbar in 6 AD, Khusrau left for Delhi with his horsemen.

    

    Gradually the number of his army reached nine. Prince Khosrow laid siege to the fort of Lahore. Jahangir sent an army in pursuit of the rebellious prince and himself followed him the next day. The two armies clashed in the Bhair and Wal plains on the banks of the Chenab River. Khusrau was defeated and captured. His comrades were severely punished and Khusrau was blinded. Khusrau was handed over to Prince Khurram (Shah Jahan). He finally died in the year 2000. The most important event of Jahangir's reign is his marriage to Noor Jahan (Mahr-un-Nisa). While visiting Meena Bazaar during the celebration of Noor Roz in March, Jahangir suddenly saw Noor Jahan. She was so impressed with her beauty, her beauty and her present response that she married him in May. Historians have differing views on this marriage. The myth of the dove is also common. It is further said that Prince Salem was in love with Mahr-ul-Nisa, but Mahr-ul-Nisa was married to Ali Quli Khan Sheera Fagan. So, taking the opportunity to kill Sherafgun, Jahangir married Mahr-ul-Nisa himself. And Jahangir had nothing to do with the death of Shera Fagan. At the time of marriage, Jahangir was 5 years old and Noor Jahan was 8 years old. She started supervising all the affairs of the empire and gradually Jahangir became oblivious to the affairs of the empire. The emergence of lustful power was a natural thing. Noor Jahan's power, although beneficial to the common people, ultimately proved detrimental to the empire.

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