The Story of the Most Beautiful Mughal Empress: Nur Jahan
There have been many great love stories in the history of India that have left a significant mark on the lives of thousands of people.
People from time to time have set standards of love based on these ancient love stories. I’m pretty sure people must have heard about the great love story of Salim, the crowned prince, and Anarkali, the dancer in the emperor Akbar’s court.
But what people don’t know is, that the prince fell in love again and this time with one of the most beautiful women in the history of India: Nur Jahan.
The love between Jahangir and Nur Jahan
Apparently, Salim, formerly known as Jahangir, had seen Nur Jahan while he had been exiled from his father Mirza Ghiyas Beg’s estate.
He was mesmerized by looking at her. She became his salvation and he didn’t stop until he had her. Nur Jahan, formerly known as Mehrunnisa was renamed post her marriage to Jahangir.
Many historians can retort to this statement that Mehrunnisa’s marriage had been pledged to Sher Khan of Gaur city before Jahangir could even ask to marry Mehrunnisa.
Her fathered refused the prince’s wish to marry his daughter. It is said that he did this because Ghiyas Beg did not wish for his family to be caught up in royal matters of the emperor’s court.
Alas, Mehrunnisa was married to Sher Khan, but he was later murdered and Mehrunnisa was escorted to the imperial harem to be the lady in waiting of one of the widows of the late emperor Akbar.
We can’t help but wonder if, Jahangir had paid for Sher Khan’s assassination. For all that is known is that he gets married to Mehrunnisa in the end.
Mehrunnisa didn’t really have a very good life before Jahangir came into her life, she just had a daughter from Sher Khan whom she loved dearly. But, the daughter was not much favored so much by his father since he wanted a son.
It is said that Nur Jahan grieved for three years before agreeing to marry Jahangir. The emperor couldn’t let her go even when her brother Mir Khan was executed when he was found guilty of conspiring against the emperor.
Some people till this date say that the beauty of the women of Mehrunnisa’s family was really a sight to behold!
Nur Jahan’s niece, Arjumand married Jahangir’s son Khurram. This gave birth to the beautiful love story of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz (Arjumand), and we all have the pleasure of seeing their love in the form of Taj Mahal today.
Mehrunnisa after marrying Jahangir was given the title of Nur Mahal (Light of the palace) and later on known as Nur Jahan (Light of the world).
She is known to be the most influential empress in history and the most beloved wife of Jahangir.