Life began to be spent on the basis of pension… How was power snatched away from Noorjahan, the most powerful woman of the Mughal Sultanate?

Begum Noorjahan of the Mughal emperor Jahangir was counted among the most powerful women of the Sultanate.

During the reign of her husband Jahangir, the reins of government were in the hands of Noor Jahan. Sardar-Subedar, Amir-Umra used to rise and fall on his orders. Coins were issued in his name. But everything had changed with the death of Jahangir. Noor’s dream of installing Jahangir’s son Shahryar on the throne by marrying her former husband’s daughter Ladli was not possible. Mahabat Khan, who was sentenced to exile, had now reached Shahjahan’s camp. Brother Asaf Khan, whom he made very powerful during the reign of Jahangir, reached the side of his son-in-law Shahjahan instead of his sister.

Noor was alone now. He spent the next 18 years in complete silence on an annual pension of Rs 2 lakh. Every now and then she was seen walking near Jahangir’s grave in black clothes. Read the story of the most powerful Begum of the Mughal era reaching the floor from her throne.

Alcohol and opium addiction ruined Jahangir

In the next sixteen years after her marriage with Jahangir in 1611, Noor Jahan was at the height of power and fame. Jahangir was on the throne but he was dependent on Noor’s gestures. Alcohol was Jahangir’s weakness. His habit of being drunk day and night had reduced his interest in government to the performance of his duties. It was Noor who maintained the rule during this period and kept the Mughal Sultanate safe amidst the wars as well as the rebellion of Jahangir’s own sons. She freed Jahangir from the captivity of a rebel Mahabat Khan. But the life of the emperor Jahangir under whose cover she was ruling was only for a few days.

Addiction to alcohol and opium ruined Jahangir’s health. His condition worsened after he contracted a respiratory disease. In the hope of some improvement, Noor took him to Kashmir. The royal doctors had raised their hands. But the air and water of Kashmir also remained ineffective. Jahangir no longer had the strength to ride a horse. The palanquin was his support. Now there was difficulty even in speaking and understanding. Despite his complaints of difficulty in breathing and chest pain, he needed a few glasses of wine and opium.

The decision was taken to withdraw from Kashmir. On reaching beyond Rajouri on 29 October 1627, Jahangir requested for liquor. But he no longer had the strength to drink it. When he breathed his last on 29 October 1627, apart from Noor, all the doctors and courtiers were present around him.

Shahryar’s condition is also bad

Noor’s good days had passed. After the death of Jahangir, he had dreamed of placing Shahryar on the throne. Noor had married Ladli, the daughter born to her former husband Quli Khan, to this son of Jahangir. But the condition of the son-in-law for whom he had made so much preparation was also bad. Shahryar was also with Jahangir in Kashmir during his last days.

Along with the king, Noor was also troubled by Shahryar’s condition. Shahryar was suffering from leprosy. His hair, beard and eyelashes were gone. The face was quite distorted. The royal doctors expressed helplessness. He advised him to go away from the cold climate of Kashmir. Shahryar asked permission from Noor. Noor immediately got ready. Here Jahangir’s last moments were going on. On the other hand, the illness of the son-in-law from whom she had future hopes was also making Noor disappointed.

Noor is alone now

After the death of Jahangir, the fight for succession began rapidly. Noor wanted the throne for her son-in-law Shahryar. Noor called special courtiers. But they were not ready to come near him now. Noor’s brother Asaf married his daughter to Shahjahan. Asaf quickly strengthened his camp and started preparations to install his son-in-law Shahjahan on the throne.

Asaf sent his messenger from Banarasi to Shahjahan, who was in the south after rebelling against his father Jahangir, and gave him the message to immediately march to Agra. Meanwhile, Noor was repeatedly sending messages to her brother Asaf to meet him, but Asaf was no longer interested in meeting his sister. To isolate Noor, people who were once trusted by her were driven away. Those who sought the blessings of light in Jahangir’s life were no longer interested in the setting sun. He was waiting for the coronation of Shahjahan.

round of tricks

It took almost a month for Shahjahan to get the news of his father’s death. In the next two months he reached Agra from the south. The throne could not remain vacant during these intervening three months. The search was for a Mughal descendant who could be easily ousted after the arrival of Shahjahan. Noor’s brother Asaf had become very powerful during this time. He convinced the courtiers in the name of Khusro’s son Dawar Baksh. In those days the gate was under the supervision of a Mughal officer. He was given the throne for a few days, which soon became the cause of his death.

According to “Shahjahannama”, this tactic was done to stop the turmoil immediately after the death of Jahangir and to thwart Noor and his son-in-law Shahryar.

Even looting the treasure didn’t work

The stars of light had set. But son-in-law Shahryar had not given up hope. As soon as he received the news of Walid Jahangir’s death, he looted the royal treasury of Lahore Fort. He distributed a huge amount of money among influential people in the court in the hope that they would help him in the fight for the throne. Made many promises for the future also. A nephew of Jahangir took command of his army. After the burial of Jahangir, Asaf and Dawar’s army, who was installed on the throne, attacked and defeated Shahryar’s army.

Shahryar himself did not leave the Lahore Fort. On receiving the news of defeat he took refuge in the harem. A eunuch dragged her from the harem. His hands and waist were tied with a scarf. When his hands were opened, he placed his right hand on the ground and then slowly got up and presented Taslim to Dawar sitting on the throne. Showed his loyalty by placing his palm on the crown adorned on his head. But no mercy. After two days he had become blind.

Noor’s last 18 years passed like this

Shahjahan was still on the way. Even before his arrival, a sermon in his name was read on 19 January 1628. The coronation of Shahjahan took place on 3 February 1628. But Dawar, who was on the throne, was already arrested. To remove the thorns in the path, on the orders of Shahjahan, Dawar, his brother, Shahryar and two cousins ​​were killed.

Noorjahan had already become Benur. She was left alone in the early stages of the succession struggle. After Jahangir’s death, his life for the next 18 years was spent in extreme silence. He had come to terms with the changed circumstances. Shahjahan fixed an annual pension of Rs 2 lakh for him. Noor did not like to stay in the harem. He lived the rest of his life very simply in a house near Lahore.

She often used to walk near Jahangir’s grave dressed in black. He had a habit of helping the poor and needy with open arms. He died on 18 November 1645. It is written about her in “Shahjahannama”, “It is not necessary to praise Noorjahan Begum, because she had already reached the heights of fame, she left for heaven at the 72nd year of her age.”

Also read: How did Noor Jahan free Jahangir from the captivity of Mahabat Khan by becoming a prisoner?