Jahangir: Biography, A Mughal Tale of Power, Support and Cultural Revival

PWOnlyIAS July 05, 2024 04:04 10067 0

Jahangir, the fourth Mughal emperor, known for his patronage of the arts, religious tolerance, and economic initiatives. Jahangir's relationships with European traders.

Jahangir was the fourth emperor in the Mughal Dynasty established by Babar. Jahangir ruled from 1605 to 1627. He was the son of Akbar and is famous for his patronage of the arts, his religious tolerance, and his love of gardens.

Jahangir

Portrait of Jahangir

Jahangir: Birth, Lineage, and Legacy

Full Name	Nur-ud-din Mohammad Salim, Prince Salim
Born	30 August 1569
Place of Birth	Fatehpur Sikri, AgraFatehp
Jahangir Father Name	Akbar, Jahangir was his third and only surviving son
Jahangir Mother Name	Mariam-uz-Zamani (Jodha Bai) (Harka Bai)
Jahangir Spouses	Shah Begum (Mann Bai), Yash Deiji, Malika Shikar Begum, Khas Mahal, Saliha Banu Begum, Sahib-i-Jamal Begum, Malika Jahan Begum, Zohra Begum, Karam Deiji, Kanwal Rani, Nur un-Nisa Begum, Mehr-un-Nisa (Nur Jahan)
Jahangir Children	Khusrau Mirza, Parviz Mirza , Shah Jahan, Jahandar Mirza, Shahryar Mirza

Jahangir

Jahangir with his sons

Jahangir

Nur Jahan Wife of Jahangir

Jahangir: Early Life

Jahangir also known as Prince Salim born on 31 August 1569 in Fatehpur Sikri, Agra. He was the son of Akbar with his wife Jodha Bai.

His childhood name was Nur-ud-din Mohammad Salim. His name was given Salim after the sufi saint Salim Chishti.
Jahangir was the eldest surviving son of Akbar, he was trained in warfare practice for succession from a young age.
Jahangir began his education at the age of five. Since then he was tutored by the best teachers and was given expert training in civil and military administration.
Jahangir learned to speak Persian and he also had a good understanding of the Mughal ancestral language, which was a mix of Persian and courtly Chaghatai, known as ‘Turki’.

Jahangir’s Ascension and Internal Struggles: Power Dynamics and Rebellions in the Mughal Empire

During his training days Jahngir got eager for power and rebelled in 1599 while Akbar was away in Deccan but they later reconciled. In 1605 Akbar died and Jahangir succeeded to the throne.

Jahangir’s Rise to Power and Reign: After the death of his father he was supported by his stepmothers and rose to power. He ruled from 3rd November 1605 and continued till his death on 28 October 1627.
Prince Khusrau’s Revolt: Jahangir’s ascension to throne was challenged by his eldest son Prince Khusrau who prepared to revolt against his father with the help of Sikh Guru Arjun Dev.
- Prince Khusrau was defeated in the revolt and captured later blinded by his younger brother Shah Jahan, while Guru Arjun Dev was executed.
Shah Jahan’s Rebellion: After the faceoff with prince Khusrau, Prince Khurram (Shah Jahan) also rose against his father. But this tussle was settled.
- Prince Khurram later became the emperor on Jahangir’s death and became known as Shah Jahan.

Military Campaigns of Jahangir: Consolidating Power and Expanding Mughal Territory

Reign of Jahangir was not as impressive as his father but there were several military campaigns of Jhangir to consolidate his power and expand the Mughal Empire’s reach.

Year	Conquest	Description
1615	Conquest of Mewar	Rajput kingdom of Mewar led by valiant Rana Amar Singh posed a long-standing conflict with Mughals. Multiple attempts and a major campaign was organised against Mewar but ultimately it failed. In 1615, after a year of intense guerilla warfare, Rana Amar Singh agreed to a peace treaty, acknowledging Mughal suzerainty but retaining significant autonomy.
1617	Conquest of Deccan	Deccan was in the eye of Jahangir and tried to subdue it but his several expeditions faced stiff resistance from Sultanates of Ahmednagar, Bijapur, and Golconda. With continuous efforts in 1617 Jahangir managed to capture the key fort of Ahmadnagar, but the Sultanate quickly re-established itself. Treaties were eventually signed with Bijapur and Golconda, acknowledging Mughal authority in exchange for tribute.
1622	Conquest of Kandhar	In 1622, Jahangir recaptured the important city of Kandahar from the Safavid Empire of Persia. This success made the Mughal Empire’s northwestern border safe and made Jahangir more respected.

Administrative Reforms Under Jahangir: Continuing Akbar’s Legacy and Innovations

Jahangir has taken various crucial steps to improve his administration and continue the policy of his father. Let us look at some of his changes in administration.

Continuance of Akbar’s Administrative Policy- Jahangir continued and enhanced his fathers policies in areas like religious tolerance, land revenue system (Mansabdari), and the centralized administration structure.
- Jahangir also continued the Subhadar Policy for administration.
Do-aspa and Sih-aspa system– It was introduced by Jahangir this system the selected nobles could be allowed to maintain a larger quota of troopers, without raising their Zat rank.
- Do-aspa: In this system mansabdars (officers in Mughal administration) had to maintain double horses in comparison to their ‘Sawar’ rank.
- Sih-aspa: In this system, mansabdars had to maintain a triple number of horses in comparison to their ‘Sawar’ rank.
Reformed Tax collection: He introduced scrutiny of the tax records, also he introduced several measures to increase tax collection.
- Punishing the corrupt officer is one of the measures.
Reform in Justice system: He firmly believed in fair justice and established the “Zanjir-i-Adl” (Chain of Justice) which allowed citizens to directly seek justice from the emperor for redressal of grievances.

Jahangir

Portrait of Jahangir’s Chain of Justice

Jahangir

Portrait of Jahangir Delivering Justice

Delegation of Power: Jahangir’s philosophy that every person should get equal opportunity in administration irrespective of their religion no matter their religion encouraged Hindus and Muslims to live peacefully together.
- He also delegated authority to competent officials based on merit, promoting better governance in various provinces.
Promotion of trade: He fostered trade relations with other countries, particularly European powers, leading to economic growth.

Religious Policies of Jahangir: Upholding Tolerance and Liberalism

There was speculation that after Akbar’s death Sharia Law would be restored but Jahangir extended Akbar’s policy of tolerance.

Liberal Policies: Jahangir maintained the liberal character of the state instituted by Akbar.
Religious Tolerance: He did not revive the Jizya or the pilgrim tax and the Hindus still occupied high office and enjoyed freedom to construct new temples.
- In Mathura, Gokul and Vrindavan many new temples were built during his reign.

Economic Development Initiatives Under Jahangir’s Reign

Jahangir knew the importance of trade in maintaining the economy so he focused on infrastructure development and all trade related policies.

Agricultural Reforms: Jahangir improved the agriculture sector by allowing farmers to grow different crops like cotton and sugarcane which help farmers to produce more and earn more money.
Building Infrastructure: Jahangir focused on developing better roads and bridges for easy travel and transportation.
- This helped traders and farmers to move goods from one place to another quickly.
Encouraging Small Business: Jahangir encouraged and supported craftsmen and artists to make beautiful carpets, pottery, and jewellery.
- These things were sold in markets and helped people make a living.

Jahangir’s Relations with Portuguese and English Traders

Few years before the accession of thrones by Jhangir Europeans were already present in India. The Portuguese, the Dutch and the English traders had already established their business in India.

Jahangir and the Portuguese: Initially the policies of Jahangir were liberal towards Portuguese traders and granted them trade concessions but in 1613 Jahangir refused the permission to Portuguese when they seized a Mughal ship off the coast of Surat.
- He retaliated by seizing Daman and confiscating their churches.
English Diplomatic Initiatives: Refusal to Portuguese gave the English considerable concessions to gain advantage and favour.
- It was during Jahangir’s reign that two Englishmen, Sir John Hawkins and Thomas Roe arrived in India as ambassadors of King James I of England.
- John Hawkins remained in India for three years (1608-1611) while Thomas Roe came to India in AD 1615 and succeeded in obtaining trade concessions for the British traders.
- The two ambassadors have left behind detailed accounts of Mughal administration.

Jahangir

European trader can be seen with Jahangir

Jahangir

Jahangir with Sir Thomas Roe

Cultural Activity Under Jahangir: Art, Architecture, and Literature

Jahangir’s reign witnessed a vibrant period of cultural development. He patronized the arts and paintings. During his reign several architecture and gardens were built; here’s a glimpse into how he fostered cultural enrichment.

Flourishing of Painting: Jahangir was himself a connoisseur of art specifically in painting. He created a royal atelier and had the presence of renowned artists like Abul Hasan and Mansur.
- Under his patronage Mughal painting evolved towards a more delicate and refined aesthetic.
- Theme of paintings was inclined to individual portraits and realistic depictions of nature.
- Jahangir conferred Mansur with the title of “Nadir al-Asr” (Wonder of the Age).

Jahangir

Painting by Abul Hasan depicting Jahangir

Jahangir

Jahangir holding the portrait of Shah Jahan

Architectural Development- Architectural monument constructed during Jahangir shows his love towards nature.
- Shalimar Gardens in Lahore: It features cascading waterfalls, canals, and lush greenery.
- Tomb of Jahangir in Lahore: Built by his wife Nur Jahan known for its intricate marble carvings, Pietra dura inlay work, and serene gardens.
- Diwan-i-Khas in Agra: It is a hall dedicated to a private audience adorned with intricate mirror work and delicate paintings.

Jahangir

Shalimar Garden in Lahore

Jahangir

Tomb of Jahangir in Lahore

Jahangir

Diwan-e-Khas in Agra Fort

Literature Development: Jahangir himself took keen interest in writing he wrote” Jahangirnama which describes his detailed chronicle of his reign.
- He encouraged writers to translate the literary works from Sanskrit and Persian, fostering cultural exchange and enriching the literary landscape.

Jahangir Death: The End of an Era

In his final days, the administration was overseen by his wife, Nur Jahan.
Jahangir died in Kashmir where he had gone to rejuvenate his health.
He was 58. He was succeeded by his son Khurram from his Rajput wife Jagat Gosaini.

Jahangir’s Rule: Additional Insights and Noteworthy Events

Jahangir’s Military Expedition: During the rule of Akbar, Jahangir charged an expedition and captured Orchha, constructing the Jahangir Mahal to commemorate his triumph.
- Jahangir also dispatched the Mughal army to root out Koli plunderers in Gujarat.
Religious Policies and Conflicts: He met with Hindu leaders and issued edicts against forced conversions to Islam, but he suppressed Jains and executed Guru Arjan Dev.
City Construction under Jahangir: Jahangir, a builder as well, oversaw the construction of new cities, including Jahangir Nagar (later Dhaka), the capital of the Mughal province of Bengal.

Conclusion

Jahangir, a significant ruler of the Mughal Dynasty, upheld the legacy of his father, Akbar, by maintaining a liberal state and overseeing various reforms. His policies reflected a balance between religious tolerance and assertive governance.
His patronage of arts and architecture left a lasting impact on Mughal culture. However, controversies such as the execution of Guru Arjan Dev highlight the complexities of his rule.
Overall, Jahangir’s era contributed to the rich fabrication of Mughal history, marked by both challenges and prosperity.

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Frequently Asked Questions

He was famous for his chain of justice and his affection towards painting.

Jahngir died during travelling for his treatment from Kashmir to Lahore.

Jahagir had more than 20 wives.

Nur Jahan was his favorite wife.

Yes Jahangir was the son of Jodha Bai and Akbar.

Jahangir was succeeded by his son Khurram, who later became known as Shah Jahan.

Some architectural monuments constructed during Jahangir's reign include the Shalimar Gardens in Lahore, the Tomb of Jahangir in Lahore, and the Diwan-i-Khas in Agra.

Jahangir's conquest of Kandahar in 1622 from the Safavid Empire of Persia secured the Mughal Empire's northwestern border and enhanced Jahangir's reputation.

Jahangir focused on infrastructure development, agricultural reforms, and encouraging small businesses. He improved roads, bridges, allowed diverse crop cultivation, and supported craftsmen and artists.

Initially liberal, Jahangir later refused Portuguese trade concessions in 1613 after a conflict. He granted considerable concessions to the English, and English ambassadors gained favor during his reign.

Jahangir conferred the title of "Nadir al-Asr" (Wonder of the Age) upon the artist Mansur.

Jahangir focused his military campaigns in regions such as Mewar, Deccan, and Kandahar to consolidate power and expand the Mughal Empire.

Jahangir introduced the Do-aspa and Sih-aspa system, allowing selected nobles to maintain a larger quota of troopers without raising their Zat rank.

Jahangir extended Akbar's policy of religious tolerance. He did not revive the Jizya or pilgrim tax, and Hindus continued to occupy high offices with the freedom to construct new temples.

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Jahangir: Biography, A Mughal Tale of Power, Support and Cultural Revival

Jahangir: Birth, Lineage, and Legacy

Jahangir: Early Life

Jahangir’s Ascension and Internal Struggles: Power Dynamics and Rebellions in the Mughal Empire

Military Campaigns of Jahangir: Consolidating Power and Expanding Mughal Territory

Administrative Reforms Under Jahangir: Continuing Akbar’s Legacy and Innovations

Religious Policies of Jahangir: Upholding Tolerance and Liberalism

Economic Development Initiatives Under Jahangir’s Reign

Jahangir’s Relations with Portuguese and English Traders

Cultural Activity Under Jahangir: Art, Architecture, and Literature

Jahangir Death: The End of an Era

Jahangir’s Rule: Additional Insights and Noteworthy Events

Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Jahangir most famous for?

How did Jahangir die?

How many wives did Jahangir have?

Who was Jahangir's Favourite wife?

Was Jahangir son of Jodha Bai?

Who succeeded Jahangir after his death?

Which architectural monuments were constructed during Jahangir's reign?

What was the significance of Jahangir's conquest of Kandahar?

How did Jahangir contribute to the economic development of his empire?

What was Jahangir's approach towards European traders, especially the Portuguese and English?

What title did Jahangir confer upon the artist Mansur?

In which region did Jahangir focus his military campaigns?

What was the Do-aspa and Sih-aspa system introduced by Jahangir?

What was Jahangir's stance on religious tolerance and policies?

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