Remembering Noor Jahan: An Empress not Spared by Widowhood

The story of Nur Jahan, who was brought to the emperor’s Harem in 1607 as a widow,

and rose through the ranks to being a co-sovereign with Jahangir, is today remembered

as a mere love story. However, it was much more than that. It was the story of a woman

fighting against the prejudices of her age to take control of an Empire. Noor Jahan did not

just fight the enemies of the empire in courtrooms and battlefield, she fought patriarchal

forces throughout her life.

 

Popular culture and many historians remember her as a schemer who took advantage of

her husband’s affection and his addiction to alcohol and opium to take power. This is what

a male centric view of history does to women: It reduces their prowess to their sexuality.

 

Seventeenth century Indian women were restricted by the rules of purdah, they were

confined within the high-walled screens and curtains, and in this male-dominated world,

Nur Jahan led an entire empire by being an astute politician. She defied societal rules by

openly ruling alongside her husband, advising him on important matters.

Soon after her marriage with the emperor, she issued her first royal order to protect the land

rights of an employee. Her signature on the order reads, Nur Jahan Padshah Begum, which

translates as Nur Jahan, the Lady Emperor. It indicated that she confidently took on

responsibility, as well as power, that came with being an empress, and was not afraid of

any backslash she might face.

 

Apart from her administrative flair, she was also artistically gifted; she is the reason for many

cultural achievements of Jahangir’s rule. She designed the gardens of Kashmir and Agra and

was a patron of poetry. She took a special interest in women’s affairs and provided land for

women and opportunities for orphan girls. 

In 1626, Nur Jahan, commanding all men, including her brother Asaf Khan, led a strategy to

save her husband Jahangir from the enemy. However, her success was once again delegitimized

by critics, naming her Fitna, a word used against Ayesha, prophet Muhammad’s wife, when she

went on a battle against Ali who was eventually the leader of the Shias. For the torchbearers of

patriarchy, her power and sexuality was the reason for the chaos.

One courtier described an incident where she surprised many by appearing in the imperial

balcony, which was reserved for men only. This was not her only act of defiance. Be it hunting,

issuing imperial orders and coins, designing public buildings, taking measures to support poor

women or champion the disadvantaged, Nur lived a life that was unusual among women at the

time.

After Jahangir’s death in 1627, she was confined by her son Shah Jahan. The rivals to the

throne made sure that no other woman could follow in her footsteps. 

The voice of a powerful leader was exiled, and the question we need to ask today is, would

history remember Noor Jahan differently if she were a man? Her prowess faded out of

remembrance after her husband died. Widowhood did not spare a strong leader, a warrior, an

Empress. Even with Jahangir by her side, she was heavily criticized, and society could not

comprehend the strength of a woman without a man. Hence, they decided to let her be

forgotten.