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Jahangir's Biography
| Name | Jahangir |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Mirza Noor-ud-Din Beg Mohammad Khan Salim Jahangir |
| Nickname | Shekhu Baba |
| Place of Birth | Fatehpur Sikri Uttar Pradesh India |
| Father's Name | Akbar |
| Mother's Name | Mariam uz-Zamani (Jodha Bai) |
| Wives' names | Noorjahan, Manbhavati, Manmati |
| Name of sons and daughters | Khusro Mirza, Khurram (Shah Jahan), Parvez, Shahryar, Jahandarshah, Nisar Begum, Bahar Begum Banu |
| Coronation | 3 November 1605 Agra |
| Title | Nuruddin Muhammad Jahangir Badshah Ghazi |
| Reign period | 22 years |
| The extent of the empire | North and Central India |
| Reign | 15 October, 1605 AD - 8 November, 1627 AD |
| Religion | Sunni, Muslim |
| Capital | Agra, Delhi |
| Predecessor | Akbar |
| Successor | Shahjahan |
| Dynasty | Mughal dynasty |
| Date of death | 8 November 1627 (aged 58) |
| Place of Death | Lahore Pakistan |
| Maqbara | Shahdara Lahore, Pakistan |
| Fame Work | Jahangir's Chain of Justice and 12 Edicts |
| Specifics | Mughal-e-Azam is a successful Indian historical drama film based on the famous and fictional love story of Prince 'Salim' and his beloved 'Anarkali'. |
Birth of Jahangir
Jahangir's upbringing
Revolt of Prince Salim 1600 AD
Following this pledge, Sheikh Farid made peace with Emperor Akbar and appointed Salim as his official successor. Dastarbandi and the family sword were handed over.
Ascension to the throne of Jahangir
After Akbar's death (27 October 1605), he ascended the throne with the title Nuruddin Jahangir Badshah Ghazi and celebrated for several days, releasing prisoners, issuing a coin bearing his name, being lenient with opponents, Promoting Abul Fazl's son to the Mansab post of Duhzari. The festival of nine days was also celebrated for eighteen days with great pomp and the king used to celebrate with colorful processions. But the immediate reforms implemented in the empire were as follows.
Jahangir's Reforms
Jahangir was by nature a merciful ruler like his father Akbar. After becoming the emperor, Jahangir installed a gold chain known as the 'Chain of Justice' in the Shah Burj of Agra Fort and a stone pillar on the banks of the Yamuna River. Jahangir announced 12 orders for the welfare of the public. His orders were as follows:
- Prohibition on collection of tax in the name of Tamga
- Construction of inns, mosques, and wells along the roads
- Goods of merchants should not be searched without their permission.
- On the death of any person, in the absence of his successor, his property should be spent on public works.
- Prohibition on the sale and manufacture of liquor and other intoxicants
- The practice of cutting off the nose and ears as a form of punishment came to an end.
- Government servants were prohibited from occupying any person's house illegally.
- Prohibition on forcibly occupying the land of farmers
- Jagir could not be created in marriage without the permission of the emperor.
- Order to arrange hospitals and doctors for the treatment of the poor
- On two days of the week, Thursday (Jahangir's coronation day) and Sunday (Akbar's birthday), the animal slaughter was strictly prohibited.
- All the employees and zamindars of Akbar's reign were restored to their posts.
Jahangir made some of his trusted people his advisors, such as 'Veer Singh Bundila', the killer of Abul Fazal, the commander of three thousand horsemen, Nur Jahan's father Ghiyas Beg was made Diwan and given the title of Uttamadullah, Juman Beg as Mahavat Khan and a Mansabdar. Awarded the title.
Abdul Rahim, son of Abul Fazl, was given the post of 1,500, in 2000. Jahangir gave the post of Prime Minister to some of his favorites, such as Qutb-ud-din Koka, the Subedar of Bengal, and Sharif Khan. Some foreigners also came during Jahangir's reign. Most prominent among them were Captain Hawkins and Sir Thomas Roy, who sought permission from Emperor Jahangir to trade in India.
Emperor Akbar had organized Kabul and Kandahar, a part of entire North India, and a part of South India had reduced the internal problems by getting the support of the Rajputs, so that Jahangir did not have to face any major crisis, but he could sit comfortably on the throne. Was.
Khusro's rebellion
Not even six months later, Jahangir's son Khusrau rebelled. After failing to capture Lahore, Khusrau was defeated at the Battle of Bhirudal near Jalandhar which ended in great bloodshed. Jahangir arrested Prince Khusrau and placed him in the custody of a Hindu chieftain, Ani Rai, who was later executed by Prince Khurram (Shah Jahan).
Jahangir and Nur Jahan
.jpg "Nur Jhan")
The marriage of Prince Salim (Jahangir) and Nur Jahan is a different story, in short, Ghiyasuddin, the son of Khwaja Sharif, a governor of Shah Iran, went into exile with his wife and children and reached Akbar's court with his wife. His daughter Mehr al-Nissa, who was well-educated with artistic taste, intelligence, courageous, and organizational ability, also became popular in the palaces.
Nur Jahan was introduced to Prince Salim here when she caught two of his pigeons and caught Mehrul-Nissa plucking flowers. When one of the pigeons flew away, Salim asked how it flew away, so Mehrul-Nissa innocently released the other pigeon from his hand. And said that it just flew away. Salim was disappointed by all this.
Under pressure from Emperor Akbar, Mirza Ghiyas married his daughter to an Iranian immigrant, Ali Quli Khan, a general in the Mughal army, whom Akbar sent to Bengal as Subedar of Burdwan, thus separating Mehrul-Nissa and Prince Salim.
But this love remained a spark and as soon as he became the king, he conspired to remove Ali Quli from the way and conspired to fight with the lion, but he killed the lion and got the title of Sher Afgan. Jahangir accused Ali Quli of treason and arrested and executed him, imprisoned his family, and sent them to Agra.
After this Emperor Jahangir sent a message of marriage but Mehrul-Nisa refused. Finally, after four years of hard work and tricks, he managed to persuade Mehrul-Nisa through his mother. They married in May 1611. Emperor Jahangir first gave her the title of Noor Mahal and then Noor Jahan.
Power in the hands of Nur Jahan behind the scenes
Nur Jahan took full advantage of Jahangir who was crazy about love. He gave the title of Itmad-Ud-Dullah to his father Mirza Ghiyas and his brother Abul Hasan got the title of Asif Jah. Until 1622 she remained under her father's influence and tried to exercise absolute control over major issues in state affairs and came into conflict with her brother Asif Jah.
Since Asif Khan's daughter was married to Emperor Jahangir's son Shah Jahan, while Nur Jahan's daughter (who belonged to Sher Afgan Ali Quli) Ladli Begum was married to Emperor Jahangir's younger son Shahryar. Asif wanted to see his son-in-law Shah Jahan on the throne, the tyrant who shook the foundations of the Mughal Empire within a few years, before Nur Jahan was instrumental in the assassination of Prince Khusrau, as well as Mahabat Khan and Prince Khurram.
The rebellion was also the result of Nur Jahan's conspiracies. Panic spread in the royal court. Anyone who stood outside or tried to present the correct information to the emperor became a target of Nur Jahan's conspiracy. The Mughal court came on the verge of destruction.
Shahjahan's rebellion
In the last years of Jahangir's reign, Nur Jahan ordered Shah Jahan to go to Kandahar. He knew that the purpose of sending him away from the capital was to usurp the throne, so he refused to go to Kandahar.
In 1623, a clash broke out between Shah Jahan and the imperial army, and his main supporter, the Rajput king Bikram Ajit, was killed. Shah Jahan had to flee to the Deccan, after a very difficult time he finally succeeded in capturing Bengal and Bihar, attacked Udhpur and Allahabad, and was defeated. He then apologized to Jahangir, he was fortunate that Mahabat Khan's power was rising and Nur Jahan also supported him to stop it and he was forgiven.
Mahabat Khan was a supporter of Rajkumar Parvez, Nur Jahan issued an order to remove him from the way, leaving Prince Parvez in Burhanpur and coming to the capital, where Mahabat Khan was accused of dishonesty and embezzlement in the booty received from Bengal. Nur Jahan Mahabat Khan's heart was broken and he attacked Emperor Jahangir with five thousand Rajput horsemen who were going to Kabul at that time.
The royal tent was besieged and Jahangir was imprisoned. Nur Jahan came there with her army and tried to fight but the army got stuck on the bank of river Jhelum as the Rajput soldiers stopped them from crossing the river by firing arrows and the royal army fled. When they moved towards Thatta, Shah Jahan looted their treasury.
It was difficult for Mahabat Khan to fight without resources, so he moved toward the Deccan. Thus, Emperor Jahangir was released from his captivity. After going to the Deccan, Mahabat Khan established peace. Made a deal with Emperor Jahangir.
Nur Jahan remained in the Shahi Qila Lahore for eighteen years after the death of Emperor Jahangir. Her routine included reciting Fatiha at her husband's grave and organizing the education and marriage of poor orphan girls.
Nur Jahan built a mausoleum near her brother's tomb in Lahore during her lifetime at her own expense and was buried there.
Nur Jahan introduced rose perfume, the use of lime in paan, moonlight floors, new glamorous fashions, new designs of clothes, silk cotton clothes, and new patterns of jewelry, and added to the grandeur and charm of the Durbar Shahi.
In the tenth year of Jahangir's rule, a very deadly epidemic broke out in Punjab and Lahore was also affected by it, the whole area was devastated and thousands of villages were destroyed. The disease spread in the air.
Emperor Noor-Ud-din Jahangir did not follow the divine religion of his father Akbar, but there are many views on which religion he followed. He also imprisoned Hazrat Mujdadi al-Thani for opposing him.
Emperor Jahangir was very keen to meet Hazrat Miyan Mir, a Sufi saint from Lahore because of his devotion and his wisdom, and grace. Invited to visit Agra, the elderly Durandesh accepted the invitation and advised the king, The king honored him and presented a Deer Skin as a gift.
Jahangir's Administration
To overcome his infamy, Jahangir focused on reforming the administration of his vast empire. He followed the policy of his father Akbar's rule as far as possible and maintained the old system. He enriched those who helped him in his conspiracy. At the time of Akbar, he maintained his dignity by keeping the same posts on which he was working. He also promoted some officers. Such a liberal attitude had a great impact on his rule.
Chains of justice
Jahangir paid special attention to maintaining the judicial system. Apart from the judges, he himself used to listen to the grievances of the people. For this, he tied a chain from his residence to the bank of the river and hung many bells on it. If someone had a complaint, he could grab hold of the chain and pull it, so that the king could hear the sound of the bells and convey the complaint to him.
According to Jahangir's biography, this chain was made of gold and it cost a lot to make it. It was 40 yards long and had 60 bells attached to it. The weight of all these was about 10 maunds. Due to this, the glory of the king was displayed, while his justice was also destroyed. But no one ever mentioned breaking this chain and bothering to do justice to the king. The terror of the Muslim rulers during this period was such that it was very difficult to disturb the enjoyment of the king by ringing the bells tied in this chain.
Prohibition instructions
Jahangir was addicted to alcohol which lasted till his death. He knew the bad consequences of this. But could not leave. But to protect the public from alcohol, he banned its manufacture and sale as soon as he ascended the throne. As soon as he took over the government, he issued an imperial decree ordering the implementation of the 12 Commandments throughout the empire.
One of these orders was related to prohibition. Even after such an order, he himself used to drink alcohol and almost all his Sardar Samant, Hakim and employees were also addicted to alcohol. In such a situation, it is doubtful whether the royal order of prohibition will have any effect or not.
Outbreak of plague
During the reign of Jahangir, an epidemic called Plague spread several times. In 1618, when there was an outbreak of this disease again in Agra, it wreaked havoc. Jahangir has written about him that once again an epidemic spread in Agra, due to which about a hundred people were dying every day.
Lumps develop in the armpit, groin, or neck and people die. This is the third year the disease takes hold in winter and subsides in early summer.
In these three years, its epidemic has spread in the villages and towns around Agra. .... The person who was affected by this disease had a high fever and his complexion became pale and black he had diarrhea and died the next day. In a house where one person is ill, everyone becomes ill and the house is ruined.
Religious position of Braj
Braj is traditionally known for its strong religious position. Their condition was to some extent even in the Mughal period. A new era began in the religious condition of Braj during the reign of Emperor Akbar. Agra, the capital of the Mughal Empire, was under Brij Mandal.
Hence Braj was directly related to religious places. Agra's royal customs, governance, and rise and fall had a direct impact on the constellations. During the reign of Emperor Akbar, the religious status of the Barj was not the same as before. Still, it was generally satisfactory. He followed the liberal religious policy of his father Akbar due to which there was almost peace and order in Brijmandal during his reign.
During his reign of 22 years, the peace in Burj was broken only two or three times. The religious situation at that time was chaotic and some atrocities were committed against the devotees, but it was soon brought under control.
Hunting in the forests of Braj
At that time there were many rugged forests in Braj, in which tigers and other predators also lived in large numbers. Muslim rulers used to come for hunting in these forests. King Jahangir also hunted here many times with Nur Jahan. Jahangir was an accurate shooter.
In 1614, when Jahangir was in Mathura, Ahariya reported that there was a tiger in the nearby forest that was troubling the people. Hearing this, the emperor surrounded the forest with elephants and went hunting with Nur Jahan. At that time, Jahangir had taken a vow not to torture animals, so instead of shooting himself, he ordered Nur Jahan to be shot. Nur Jahan killed the tiger with a single shot from the top of the elephant.
In 1626, when Jahangir was traveling in a boat on the Yamuna River in Mathura, Ahri informed him that a tigress with three cubs was in a nearby forest. He got down from the boat and went into the jungle and there he killed the lioness and captured her cubs alive. On this occasion, Jahangir also celebrated his birthday in Mathura itself. His 57th year started after completing 56 years. On this occasion, he did Toladan and gave a lot of donations.
Expansion of the Mughal Empire during Jahangir's reign
Jahangir's policy of expansion laid special emphasis on conquering only those territories which were not fully achieved during the reign of his father Akbar.
Kandahar (1606-1607)
Jahangir conquered Kandahar from the Persians (Iranians), which was called the 'Lion Gate of India' and was an important province both commercially and militarily. Shah Abbas sent many gifts and congratulatory letters to Jahangir's court in 1611, 1615, and 1620, but in 1621 he attacked and conquered Kandahar. But due to Shahr Khan's rebellion in 1622, Kandahar again fell out of Mughal power during Jahangir's reign.
War and Treaty with Rajput State Mewar
Despite all the efforts of Akbar, Mewar could not be completely captured by the Mughals. Rana Pratap wrested most of Mewar from Akbar before his death in about 1597 CE. After the death of Rana Pratap, Jahangir ascended the Mughal throne.
Jahangir sent about 20,000 cavalries under his son Prince Khurram (Shah Jahan) and Parvez to conquer Mewar in 1605, the first year of his reign. Asif Khan and Zafar Beg were sent along with Parvez for strategic advice.
The armies of Rana Amar Singh and Parvez clashed at 'Bebar Pass', but the conflict remained inconclusive. Parvez was recalled due to Khusro's rebellion. In 1608, a large Mughal force of about 12,000 horsemen was sent under the leadership of Mahout Khan. Mahavat Khan forced Rana Amar Singh to hide in the nearby hills.
In 1609, Abdullah Khan was sent to lead the Mughal army in place of Mahot Khan. In 1611, he defeated Prince 'Karan' in 'Ranpur Pass', but Abdullah Khan had to face defeat in the struggle of 'Ranpura'. After Basu sent Mirza Aziz Koka, Jahangir himself went to Ajmer in 1613 to terrorize the enemy with his influence. At that time, Jahangir gave the burden of the Mewar attack to Prince Khurram (Shah Jahan).
Under the pressure of the Mughal army led by Prince Khurram, the army of Mewar had to compromise. The Rana's ambassadors Shubhakaran and Haridas were duly received in Jahangir's court. Jahangir agreed to the treaty on the terms of Rana Amar Singh. In 1615, a treaty was signed between Emperor Jahangir and Rana Amar Singh.
Terms of Agreement
The terms of the treaty between Rana Amar Singh and Jahangir were as follows.
- Rana Amar Singh accepted the Mughal power half-heartedly.
- The region of Mewar was conquered during the reign of Akbar and the fort of Chittoor (Chittor) was returned to Rana Amar Singh. A complete ban was imposed on the strengthening and repair of the Chittoor Fort.
- Rana Amar Singh was not pressurized to establish a matrimonial alliance with the Mughals. The Rana was allowed to send his son 'Karan' to the Mughal army in his place.
With the rank of 5000 'Jaat', Yuvraj Karna was placed in the Mughal court at the Emperor's right hand with all due respect. Rana Amarsingh was deeply saddened by this agreement, as a result of which he handed over the throne to his son Karan and spent the rest of his life in a secluded place called 'No Chowki'.
Thus, due to political understanding on both sides, the long-standing conflict came to an end, in which Jahangir and his son Khurram played an important role. Emperor Jahangir kept the treaty made with Mewar completely benevolent and did not interfere in his personal affairs. This was an important achievement of Jahangir's reign.
Campaigns of the conquest of the south
Jahangir's southern conquests were a continuation of Akbar's progressive policies. Jahangir's earlier goal was the complete conquest of 'Khandesh' and 'Ahmednagar', which could not be accomplished due to Akbar's death, and the annexation of the independent territories of 'Bijapur' and 'Golkonda'.
Ahmednagar Vijay
In the time of Jahangir, there was a major obstacle in the southern conquest - Malik Ambar, who was an able and powerful Vizier of 'Ahmed Nagar'. Malik Anbar, a native of Abyssinia, was the minister of Ahmednagar, Merik Dabir, a slave bought by Genghis Khan from the market of Baghdad. While in the army of Ahmednagar, Malik Anbar carried out many military and civil reforms.
Impressed by Todar Mal's revenue system, he did land reforms in Ahmednagar. Under military reforms, he started the 'guerrilla warfare method' by recruiting Marathas into Nizam's royal army. Who shifted his capital to many places.
First from Parendra to Junar, then from Junar to Daulatabad, and finally made 'Kharki' his capital.
Malik Ambar formed the Nizam Shahi 'Navy' on Janjira Island. To crush his growing power, the Mughal army launched a military campaign against Ahmednagar. As part of the military campaign, Emperor Jahangir sent Abdul Rahim Khan Khana in 1608, Prince Parvez sent Asif Khan in 1610, then Khan Jahan Lodi and Abdullah Khan, but they all failed to stop the Abyssinian minister Malik Anbar.
Finally, on Nur Jahan's advice, in 1616, Jahangir sent Prince Khurram (Shah Jahan) on a southern campaign with the title 'Shah Sultan'. Frightened by the power of Prince Khurram, Malik Ambar agreed to a treaty without a fight. In 1617 an agreement was reached between the two.
The terms of the agreement were as follows
- 'Balaghat', freed from Mughal slavery, recovered from the rights of the Mughals.
- The Mughals captured the fort of Ahmednagar.
- The emperor attended Adil Shah Khurram's service with costly gifts worth 16 lakh rupees.
- Pleased with this important achievement of Khurram, Emperor Jahangir gave him the title of 'Prince'.
- Jahangir gave the title of Farzand (son) to Adil Shah, the ruler of Bijapur.
- Khankhana in the south was made a Subedar.
Malik Ambar made an agreement with 'Bijapur' and 'Golkonda' and violated the agreement in 1620 AD and attacked the Ahmednagar fort. Shah Jahan, who was then engaged in the battle of 'Kangra' in Punjab, returned south at the request of Jahangir.
In 1621 a treaty was again signed between Shah Jahan and Malik Anbar. After this treaty, Shah Jahan received about 64 lakh rupees as gifts from the rulers of Ahmednagar, Golconda, Bijapur, and some other border areas.
In this way, there was no success in the expansion of the empire, especially in the south, during Jahangir's time, but the pressure of the Mughals on these southern states increased.In 1621 Khurram killed the popular prince Khusro, and his untimely death shocked the whole country.
Campaign for the conquest of Kangar (1620 AD)
Represented by Prince Khurram (Shah Jahan), King Vikramajit captured the fort of Kangra. Jahangir's efforts to expand the Mughal Empire were partially successful.
Jahangir was a lover of art and literature
One of the qualities of Jahangir's character was a heartfelt enjoyment of nature and a keen interest in flowers, exquisite beauty, and perceptiveness. Jahangir himself was a brilliant painter and a patron of art and literature.
Jahangir is credited with the origin of the Kirana family (Gharana). His book 'Tazuk Jahangiri' is a testament to his literary prowess. He abolished heavy duties and taxes and tried to ban the trade of eunuchs. In 1612 AD, Jahangir calls it Nigah-e-Dasht.
Like an ideal lover, he commissioned a beautiful marble tomb in Lahore in 1615 with a beautiful inscription, "If I see the face of my beloved again, I will keep thanking Allah till the Day of Resurrection."
The golden age of Mughal painting
The period of Jahangir was the climax of Mughal painting. Jahangir established a gallery in Agra under the leadership of Akarija, a famous painter from Herat. During Jahangir's reign, the practice of using manuscripts as subjects for painting was abandoned and replaced by the tradition of depicting natural scenes and still the lives of individuals.
Who was the chief painter of Jahangir's court?
The chief painter of Jahangir's court was Ustad Mansoor, also known as Mansoor or Manohar. He was a renowned painter who served as the official court artist during the reign of Jahangir, the fourth Mughal emperor of India from 1605 to 1628. Ustad Mansoor was known for his exceptional skill in depicting animals, birds, and plants. And his works were highly prized by Emperor Jahangir. He is regarded as one of the greatest painters of the Mughal period and his works are regarded as masterpieces of Persian miniature painting.
Master Painter (chief painter of Jahangir's court)
- Major painters of Jahangir's era
- Farooq Baig,
- Bisandas,
- Ustad Mansoor,
- Daulat, Manohar and
- Abul Hassan
Farrukh Beg entered the Mughal painting gallery during the time of Akbar. At the time of Jahangir, he made a portrait of Sultan Adil Shah of Bijapur. Daulat was a disciple of Farrukh Baig. On the order of Emperor Jahangir, he made a group portrait of his fellow painters Bisandas, Govardhan and Abul Hasan, etc., and also brought his own portrait.
Jahangir sent his favorite and famous painter Bisandas with his special ambassador Khan Alam to the court of the Shah of Persia (in the court of the ruler of Iran) to bring paintings to India Bisandas worked diligently and he also brought many portraits of Shah's nobles (the rich) and their families.
The best painters of Jahangir's time were Ustad Mansoor and Abul Hasan. The emperor conferred on them the titles of 'Nadir al-Asrar' (Ustad Mansur) and 'Nadir al-Zama' (Abul Hasan) respectively. Ustad Mansoor was a renowned zoologist while Abul Hasan specialized in portraiture.
Ustad Mansoor made many famous paintings of rare animals, rare birds, and exotic flowers. A rare Siberian stork and a unique Bengal flower are particularly noteworthy among his major works.
Abul Hasan was the son of Akrija. He grew up living in the shadow of the emperor. At the age of 13, he first made a replica of Duarte's (1600 AD) portrait of St. John Paul. Abul Hasan painted the cover of 'Tazuk Jahangiri'.
A wonderful picture is available in a library in London, in which countless squirrels are depicted in different postures on a poplar tree. This picture is probably attributed to Abul Hasan, but given the influence of the names on the cover, it should be considered a joint work of Mansur and Abul Hasan.
The reign of Jahangir saw a significant development in the depiction of human portraits (paintings) and natural scenes (animals, birds, etc.) apart from hunting, war, and court scenes (Akbar's reign).
Jahangir himself describes in his autobiography 'Tujuk Jahangiri' that any type of picture, whether it is of a dead person or a living person, I can immediately tell by looking at it which artist has prepared it. If there is a group portrait, I can separate their faces and tell which painter did each part.
Historian Percy Brown has said of Jahangir's interest in art that "with the death of Jahangir, Mughal painting headed for its demise."
.jpg "Jahangir Kaa Mqbara")
Jahangir's death
In March 1628, with Jahangir's health declining, doctors advised him to move to Kashmir, a recuperative place. There, the king's asthma became severe. Couldn't eat or drink anything else. In this desperate situation, he left for Agra, and his health deteriorated badly in Rajouri, after several days of struggle for life and death, Emperor Jahangir died on 28 October 1628, and as per his wish was buried on the banks of the river Ravi. But Nur Jahan was buried in the garden.
