Page:A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country (1804).djvu/620

606 poured in from Tartary, upon hearing the fortune of the house of Aiass; some of them were gratified with high employments, all with lucrative ones. The writers of Hindostan remark, that no family ever rose so suddenly, or so deservedly, as that of Chaja Aiass; for they were not dazzled by their sudden greatness, but acted with probity, honour, and moderation; and the name of her father, in particular, is still remembered in Hindostan with affection and gratitude. The empire was a gainer by the estrangement of Jehangire from public affairs; for the new visier was an enlightened patriot, and indefatigable in promoting every useful art, and the strictest administration of justice.

In the East, glory is so connected with power and magnificence, that an ambitious mind, even under the influence of a good understanding, can see nothing else to aim at. Noor-Mahil introduced such luxury and magnificence, that expensive pageants and sumptuous entertainments became the whole business of the court. The voice of music never ceased by day in the streets; the sky was enlightened at night by fireworks and illuminations; her name was joined with that of the emperor on the current coin; she was the spring, which moved the machine of state; her family took place immediately after the princes of the blood, and were admitted into the most secret apartments of the seraglio. She for the most part ruled the emperor with absolute sway: an edict was issued, to change her name from Noor-Mahil to that of Noor-Jehan, or Light of the World. To distinguish her from the other wives of the emperor, she was always addressed by the title of Shahe, or empress.

On the death of her father, about 1627, the press