The Mughal Empire - Jehangir

After the death of Akbar, his son Salim succeeded to the throne at the age of thirty-six and took the title of Jehangir. Shortly after his succession he tried to win over the hearts of all his people and announced a series of concessions. Prisoners were given pardons and his opponents received an amnesty and were forgiven. Jehangir's rule was opposed in its early stages by his own son Khusrav. Khusrav had gotten along very well with his grand father Akbar and was a popular prince amongst the royal family. He became ambitious and began coveting the throne. Shortly after Jehangir's succession, Khusrav left the empire to prepare for his attack. He returned and attacked the empire, which was easily able to fend off the attack. Jehangir who personally marched to the battle with a large army was greatly disturbed by the whole episode. Khusrav was taken a prisoner and after being severely reproached and humiliated by Jehangir in the open court, he was imprisoned. In 1611 Jehangir married Nur Jehan, a woman of exquisite beauty with tastes for Persian literature, poetry and arts. Her entry into the life of Jehangir would have a tremendous impact on his rule. One of the dominating traits of her character was ambition, and soon she ensured that her father and brother became important nobles of the court.

The early part of Jehangir's rule achieved some notable military successes, which further extended the empire. However towards the later years, he faced one crisis or rebellion after the other, which plagued his life till the very end. In perhaps a classic example of divine justice, his own son Shah Jehan rebelled against him and attempted to seize the throne. Jehangir was able to hold on to the throne until his death, but such developments damaged the Mughal empire. Jehangir as a person was one of extreme contrasts. He could be exceeding cruel at times and surprisingly gentle at others. He was a man who would be at ease seeing men tortured and yet retain a passion for fair justice. Jehangir was a man who had orchestrated the murder of one of the closest friends of his father, Abul Fazl ,yet he would feel sorry for the royal elephants when in winter they shivered because of the cold water that was sprinkled on them. Over all he was perhaps a sensible and kind hearted man. Jehangir loved nature and was specially interested in flowers. He was a humane and considerate ruler, who attempted to rule justly and fairly. Jehangir perhaps combined two traits essential to being an effective emperor, ruthlessness and humaneness. He would handle his enemies with a tough hand, ordering the most brutal measures against them, but at the same time he did not behave irrationally and would not condemn somebody without a substantial reason. Whilst not as tolerant of religions as his father, he allowed his subjects the freedom to practice whatever religion they chose. He studied the beliefs of many religions and enjoyed conversations with their philosophers, but he did accept any of their practices, something which his father had done. Jehangir ruled for a relatively short period and upon his death was succeeded by his son, Shah Jehan. After the death of Akbar, his son Salim succeeded to the throne at the age of thirty-six and took the title of Jehangir. Shortly after his succession he tried to win over the hearts of all his people and announced a series of concessions. Prisoners were given pardons and his opponents received an amnesty and were forgiven. Jehangir's rule was opposed in its early stages by his own son Khusrav. Khusrav had gotten along very well with his grand father Akbar and was a popular prince amongst the royal family. He became ambitious and began coveting the throne. Shortly after Jehangir's succession, Khusrav left the empire to prepare for his attack. He returned and attacked the empire, which was easily able to fend off the attack. Jehangir who personally marched to the battle with a large army was greatly disturbed by the whole episode. Khusrav was taken a prisoner and after being severely reproached and humiliated by Jehangir in the open court, he was imprisoned. In 1611 Jehangir married Nur Jehan, a woman of exquisite beauty with tastes for Persian literature, poetry and arts. Her entry into the life of Jehangir would have a tremendous impact on his rule. One of the dominating traits of her character was ambition, and soon she ensured that her father and brother became important nobles of the court. The early part of Jehangir's rule achieved some notable military successes, which further extended the empire. However towards the later years, he faced one crisis or rebellion after the other, which plagued his life till the very end. In perhaps a classic example of divine justice, his own son Shah Jehan rebelled against him and attempted to seize the throne. Jehangir was able to hold on to the throne until his death, but such developments damaged the Mughal empire. Jehangir as a person was one of extreme contrasts. He could be exceeding cruel at times and surprisingly gentle at others. He was a man who would be at ease seeing men tortured and yet retain a passion for fair justice. Jehangir was a man who had orchestrated the murder of one of the closest friends of his father, Abul Fazl ,yet he would feel sorry for the royal elephants when in winter they shivered because of the cold water that was sprinkled on them. Over all he was perhaps a sensible and kind hearted man. Jehangir loved nature and was specially interested in flowers. He was a humane and considerate ruler, who attempted to rule justly and fairly. Jehangir perhaps combined two traits essential to being an effective emperor, ruthlessness and humaneness. He would handle his enemies with a tough hand, ordering the most brutal measures against them, but at the same time he did not behave irrationally and would not condemn somebody without a substantial reason. Whilst not as tolerant of religions as his father, he allowed his subjects the freedom to practice whatever religion they chose. He studied the beliefs of many religions and enjoyed conversations with their philosophers, but he did accept any of their practices, something which his father had done. Jehangir ruled for a relatively short period and upon his death was succeeded by his son, Shah Jehan.