Page 41 - SST Class 07

Jahangir fell ill, Nur Jahan managed the affairs of
experience of administration there. Jahangir
continued with the liberal and secular policies of
his father. He did not take interest in religion. He
wanted to bring about social and economic
reforms to the empire. He is famous for the chain
of justice that he had installed in his palace.
Anybody could ring it to complain against any
noble or officer.
Jahangir was a well read person. He took interest
in literature. He wrote his memoirs named Tizuk-i-
Jahangiri, in which he has written about his rule
and himself.
Jahangir used his time for consolidating his
empire. He strengthened his rule in Bengal and
Awadh, and established peace with the Rana of
Mewar after defeating him. He continued to forge
matrimonial alliances with the Rajputs. There
were only a few military campaigns during his
rule. He fought with some small chieftains in the
Punjab and Kangra regions.
Jahangir tried to expand his area of influence in
the Deccan. He captured the Ahmednagar Fort,
but he could not bring the
Deccan under his rule. He
had to face some setbacks in
the north-west when he lost
Kandahar (now in
Afghanistan) to the ruler of
Persia. It was a great loss
because the traders went Jahangir
through this region for trade
with the Arabs and
Europeans. Moreover, it was
a place from where the
territories in India could be
defended easily. Jahangir had
to crush the rebellion from his
Nur Jahan
son, Khusrau.
Nur Jahan
Jahangir was attracted to Nur Jahan’s beauty and
manners and married her in 1611. She was an
intelligent and clever woman. Jahangir used to
discuss important matters with her and took her
advice. It is believed that many of his decisions in
the later half of his rule were hers. Once when
the empire. She became such a powerful woman
that the coins were issued in the names of both
Jahangir and Nur Jahan. After Jahangir’s death in
1627, Nur Jahan retired from public life and lived
peacefully in Lahore until her death.
Info Bits
Info Bits
Nur Jahan set new fashions based on Persian
culture. She added grace and charm to the Mughal
court. She was the most beloved wife of Jahangir
and he even put her name on coins along with his
own.
SHAH JAHAN
The war of succession broke out on the death of
Jahangir. Prince Khurram emerged victorious in
this war as he executed his half-brother Shahryar,
his two sons and some other family members. He
ascended the throne with the name of Shah Jahan
or the Ruler of the World .
During his early reign, Shah Jahan had to face
many revolts. First, he put down the revolts of the
Bundela Rajputs and then defeated the Afghan
rulers of the Deccan. He invaded the Deccan and
annexed Ahmednagar in 1633. He compelled
Bijapur and Golconda to sign a treaty of peace
with him, accept his suzerainty and pay annual
tribute. This battle was fought under Aurangzeb,
the future Mughal emperor.
After this, Shah Jahan annexed Kamrupa (Assam).
He wanted to bring Central Asia under his control,
but he was not successful in this battle with the
Persians for the control of Balkh and Badakshan.
Kandahar too continued to remain under the
Persians.
Shah Jahan is popularly called engineer king ,
because he got constructed a number of
magnificent monuments, but he is best known for
the Taj Mahal . We shall study about this aspect of
his life later.
F ind Outind Out
Find out the names of buildings built by Shah
Jahan in Delhi and Agra.
The Mughal Emperors
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