2019-12-17 Tue

One of the most influential women of the Mughal Empire, Nur Jahan allegedly breathed her last on 17th of December 1645. She was the twentieth (and last) wife of the Mughal emperor Jahangir. As a favourite wife of the powerful Jahangir, she found herself uniquely positioned to brilliantly utilize her skills in administration and politics.

Born as Mihr-un-nissa in Kandahar to Mirza Ghias Beg and his wife Asmat Begum, she was 1st married to Sher Afgan, a Persian soldier. Jahangir fell in love with the courageous young woman and married Mihr-un-Nissa after the death of her first husband when she was 34-35 years of age.

The love story between Nur Jahan and Jahangir led to the expansion of the Mughal Empire, religious freedoms, and increased rights for women. Emperor Jahangir and Nur Jahan were both patrons of arts and different artistic expressions. They built many Garden, Mosques, Serais and tombs. After Emperor Jahangir’s death in 1627 the influence of Nurjahan declined, she went to Lahore where she built the Shahdara Baug and toady it encloses within its walls the mausoleums of Emperor Jahangir and Badshah Begum Nurjahan.

Many coins have Nur Jahan’s name struck on them. These coins stand testimony to the power that she wielded in the Mughal court. This coin shown beside is a Silver Rupee weighing 11.18 g issued at Agra Mint.

The poetic couplet on obverse reads a Persian Legend “Ba Hukm Shah Jahangir Yaft Sad Zewar with Sanah 1034” and the reverse reads as “Ba - Naam Noor Jahan Badshah Begum Zar”.

Image Courtesy: Todywalla Auctions