Page:History of India Vol 4.djvu/110

80 counsel. She was born in India, but of Persian Race, and was formerly wife in India to another Persian Captain, who served the Moghul. After her husband's death, however, a fair opportunity being offered, as it falls out many times to some handsome young Widows, I know not how, Shah Selim had notice of her and fell in love with her. At length he determined to receive her for his lawful Wife above all the rest, and as such she commands and governs at this day in the King's Haram with supream authority; having cunningly removed out of the harem, either by marriage, or other handsome ways, all the other Women who might give her any jealousy; and having also made many alterations in the Court by deposing and displacing almost all the old Captains and Officers, and by advancing to dignities other new ones of her own creatures, and particularly those of her blood and alliance. This Queen is called at this day Nurmahal, which signifies 'Light of the Palace.'"

"By degrees," says Mohammad Hadi, the continuer of Jahangir's memoirs, "she became, in all but name, undisputed sovereign of the empire, and the king himself was a mere tool in her hands. He used to say that Nur Jahan Begam had been selected, and was wise enough, to conduct the affairs of state, and that he wanted only a bottle of wine and a piece of meat to keep himself merry. Nur Jahan won golden opinions from all people. She was liberal and just to all who begged her support. She was an asylum for all sufferers, and helpless girls were married at the expense of her pri-