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Empress

Page 31

by Ruby Lal


  Malik Masud, 22, 23, 24, 27, 29, 34, 36

  Malik us-Shu’ara, 160

  Malwa, 127, 132, 133, 150

  Manasa, 73

  Man Bai, 87–88, 99, 100, 102, 271n

  Mandu, 132–133, 134, 187

  Manija, 46, 58–59, 170

  Manrique, Sebastien, 68

  Manucci, Niccolao, 25–26, 28, 242, 259n

  Storia Do Mogor (History of the Mughals), 26, 117–118, 259n

  mardana, 47

  Martins, Thomazia, 118

  masnavi, 201

  Mathura, 1–2, 86, 154–155

  matriarchs, 141, 146, 219–220, 222

  Maulana Muhammad Husain Azad, 7

  Mecca, 38–39, 41–42

  Meena Bazaar, 7

  Mewar, 78, 106, 112, 113, 119, 121, 122, 125–126, 127, 183, 224

  Mewat, 195

  Mihr un-Nisa. See Nur Jahan (née Mihr un-Nisa)

  Mirza Abul-Hasan. See Asaf Khan

  Mirza Nathan, 267n

  Mongols, 129

  Monserrate, Antonio, 40

  Mu’askar-i Iqbal (Camp of Good Fortune), 104–107, 113, 122–123, 126–128, 131–132, 138, 173

  Mughal Army, 62, 63, 78, 125, 180

  Mughal art, 79, 144–147, 151, 223–224, 271–272n, 276n, 278n, 279n, 281n, 289n

  Mughal courts, Persians in, 19

  Mughal Empire, 6, 19, 29, 82

  dominion of, 83–84

  expansion of, 76

  social history of, 10–11

  trade and travel routes in, 20–21

  Mughal rulers, 1, 4, 8–9, 16, 19, 26, 168, 183–184

  education of, 57–58

  formal rites for princes entering adulthood, 170

  Kandahar and, 180

  marriages of, 170, 282n

  names and, 159

  official titles for, 234

  privileges of, 143, 152

  sons’ rebellions against fathers, 183–184

  ulema and, 151–153

  Mughal women, 4, 6, 8, 10–11, 37–42, 143, 148, 248

  biographies of, 254n

  edicts issued by, 141–142

  paintings of, 145–146

  power and, 113, 185–186

  sequestering of, 4, 122

  Muhammad Hadi Kamwar Khan (Muhammad Hadi), 103, 199, 201, 206, 214, 216, 242, 248–249, 285n, 286n

  Muhammad Salih Kanbo, 218

  Muhammad Sharif (brother of Nur Jahan), 46, 53, 57, 58, 89–90, 102, 263–264n

  Muharram, 50–51

  Mulla Kami Shirazi, 198

  “Fathnama-i Nur Jahan Begum” (Chronicle of the victory of Nur Jahan Begum), 201

  victory poem by, 207

  Waqi’at uz-zaman, 201

  Mulla Shah, 224

  Multan, 62

  Mumtaz Mahal. See Arjumand Banu (Mumtaz Mahal)

  Mundy, Peter, 9

  Muqarrab Khan, 144, 197

  Murad, 211

  Murad (third son of Akbar), 35, 39, 76

  Musée Guimet, 223–224

  Mu’tamad Khan, 151–152, 156, 157–158, 159, 181–182, 196–197, 199–200, 201, 212, 213, 214, 243

  Iqbalnama-i Jahangiri, 211, 217, 248–249, 285n

  Maathir-ul-Umara, 265n

  Nadim, 184, 199, 200

  Nadira Banu, 143, 145

  names, royal, 123–124, 159

  Nasir al-Din Tusi, Akhlaq-i Nasiri

  (Nasirean ethics), 53, 54–55

  Nauruz, 51

  Neo-Platonism, 43, 123, 159

  nishan, 141, 142

  Nizami of Ganja, Khusrau va Shirin, 289–290n

  Noor-e Chamb (Nur’s Waterfall), 158

  Nuqtavis, 42

  Nur ad-Din Muhammad Jahangir. See Jahangir (Prince Salim)

  Nurafza bagh (Light-Enhancing Garden), 159–160

  Nur Jahan (née Mihr un-Nisa), 1, 7, 42, 101–103, 111–115, 123–124, 140–141, 156, 234, 243–244, 267n

  abandonment story of, 27–28

  advance toward co-sovereignty, 137–143

  advocacy for Shahryar, 178, 179, 181, 211–212, 213–214

  in Agra, 50

  architecture and, 148–149, 166, 175–176, 218–219, 224–225

  ascent of, 4, 13, 106–108, 110, 112, 113, 137–143, 147–148, 151–154, 220–221

  becomes Nur Mahal, 101

  as Bilqis-uz-Zaman (Powerful Sheba), 168

  biographies of, 9–10

  birth of, 7, 15–16, 22–29, 65, 180, 263–264n

  birth of Ladli, 73–74

  blamed for chaos during Jahangir’s reign, 179–180, 184, 217

  in Burdwan, 69–75, 95

  childhood of, 12, 46–59, 160

  coins of, 143–144, 186

  commissions and designs her first public building, 148–149

  considers husbands for Ladli, 162–164

  as co-sovereign, 8, 9, 13, 151–152, 185–186, 222, 223

  creates Bagh-i Nur Afshan, 166–176

  darshan and, 151

  death of, 220, 249

  deliberately written out of Mughal history, 217–218, 221

  dominance of, 131

  education of, 49–50, 51, 54–57

  fall from power, 217

  in Fatehpur-Sikri, 32–33, 49–50

  first marriage of, 59, 60–75, 76, 265n, 282n

  garden pavilions of, 281–282n

  generosity of, 107–108

  Heart-Contenting Garden and, 213, 218–219

  historical accounts of, 222–223

  hunting skills of, 128–130

  illness of, 150–151

  inheritance of, 175

  I’timad ud-Daula’s Tomb, 175–176

  Jahanara and, 224–225

  in Jahangirnama (The memoirs of Jahangir), 128–129

  Jahangir’s death and succession and, 211–221

  Jahangir’s drinking and, 117–119, 172, 220–221, 223

  Jahangir’s rescue and, 193–207

  Jahangir’s tomb and, 213, 218–219

  in jharokha, 151–152, 186

  in Kabul, 194–195

  in Kangra, 174

  Khurram and, 112–113, 125–126, 135–137, 162–165, 171, 178–179, 185–191, 209

  Ladli’s wedding and, 166–171

  in Lahore, 31–32

  leadership of, 8, 120–121, 147–148

  learns about structure and politics of governance in Bengal, 79–80

  leaves harem after Shah Jahan’s accession, 219–220

  legacy of, 224–225

  legends about, 10

  liberties of, 12–13

  Mahabat’s dislike of, 154, 195

  in Malwa, 150

  marriage to Jahangir, 7, 9, 101, 122

  in Mu’askar-i Iqbal, 104–105

  official signature of, 140–141, 234

  orders of, 140–142, 175–176, 186, 188, 249, 286n

  paintings of, 151, 223–224

  palace gardens and, 166–167

  Parvez and, 283n

  poetry written by, 111–112, 273n

  political and cultural acumen of, 8

  portraits of, 3, 144–148, 249, 271–272n, 276n, 278n, 279n, 282n, 289n

  portrayed as gold-digger and schemer, 222–223

  property of, 220

  religion and, 254–255n

  renaming of, 123–124, 159, 234

  resources of, 220

  returns to Agra, 92, 94

  return to Lahore after kidnapping, 207

  ritual weighing of the emperor and, 109–110

  romance of, 6–7, 9, 10

  seal of, 140–141, 234

  in seclusion after Jahangir’s death, 218–219

  Shahryar and, 170–171

  as Sheba of her age, 168

  shooting skills of, 3–4

  Siddhichandra and, 120

  signs as Nur Jahan Padshah Begum, 142

  stories of, 5–6

  in Toda, 140

  trade privileges and, 139

  travels of, 153–163, 192, 2
08

  ulema and, 151–153

  use of feminine wiles to gain influence, 7–8

  vision for Jahangir’s tomb, 218–219

  widowed, 91–93

  Nur Jahan (painting), 279n

  Nur Jahan Holding a Musket, 146–148, 251–252n, 278n

  Nur Jahan Holding a Portrait of Emperor Jahangir, 289n

  Nur Jahan: Portrait to Be Worn as a Jewel, 151, 279n

  Nur Mahal Begum. See Nur Jahan (née Mihr un-Nisa)

  Nur Mahali, 107

  Nur Mahal Serai, 148–149, 166

  Nurpur, 160

  opium, 10, 17, 87, 116, 119, 209

  Orchcha, raja of, 80

  orders, as privilege of Mughal rulers to issue, 143

  orientalism, 9

  Orissa, province of, 77–78, 109, 188

  Ottoman Turkey, 185

  Oxus River, 171

  Pakhli, Kashmir, 155

  Pampur, Kashmir, 163

  Panipat, 88

  Paradise Town, 94

  Pari Khan Khanum, 56, 222

  Parvati, 5

  Parvez, 100, 112, 138–139, 164, 178, 188–190, 194, 202–203, 283n, 284n

  Pashto, 58

  pathaks, 74

  Patthar mosque, 225

  “Perfect Man,” 42, 44

  Persia, 15, 16–18, 19, 171

  Safavid Persia, 20–21, 31, 53

  tolerance in, 17–18

  women in, 18

  Persian court records, 249

  Persian language, 31–32, 58, 74

  Persian migrants, 18–19, 22, 31

  Persian poetry, Indian style of, 258–259n

  Persian poets, 31–32. See also specific poets

  Persians, in Mughal courts, 19

  Peshawar River, 201

  Pim Drang, 157

  Portuguese, 189

  Pravin Ray, 42

  Prophet Muhammad, 43, 153, 184–185, 188, 222, 257–258n

  Punjab, 29, 62, 87, 89, 187

  Pushkar Lake, 126

  Qabus-Nama, 55

  Qasim Khan, 59

  qawwali, 62

  Quran, 51, 54, 159, 168

  Radha, 1

  Rahim (general). See Abdur-Rahim Khan-i Khanan

  Rahim Ruhullah, 150–151

  Raja Bhoj, 144

  Raja Man Singh, 69, 77–78, 85, 87, 100, 271n

  Rajasthan, 195

  Raja Surat Singh, 140

  Rajmahal, Bengal, 68–69, 71, 92

  Rajoar, 211

  Rajputs, 40, 42–43, 78, 138, 195

  Rajput warriors, revolt against Jahan gir, 192–207

  Rakhi festival, 133

  Rama, 43

  Ramayana, 5, 43, 52

  Ramazan, 50

  Ram Bagh, 166–176, 281–282n

  Rampur Raza Library, 147, 251–252n, 275n, 278n

  Ramsar, 126, 131, 132

  Rani of Jhansi, 5

  Ravi River, 29

  ritual weighing of the emperor, 109–110, 172–173

  robbers, 23–24, 259n

  Roe, Thomas, 9, 13, 99–100, 118, 125, 135, 138–139, 164, 244

  Rohtas, fortress at, 189, 191

  Roshan Ara Begam, 118

  Rumi, 52

  Ruqayya Begum, 98, 99, 112, 244

  Saadi, Gulistan, 54

  Sabk-i Hindi, 31–32, 258–259n

  Safavid Army, 178, 179, 186–187

  Safavid dynasty, 17, 19, 171, 180, 206

  Safavid Empire, 62

  Safavid painting, 144–145

  Safavid Persia, 20–21, 31, 53

  Sahib Jamal, 100, 123

  Saliha Banu, 162

  Salim. See Jahangir (Prince Salim)

  Salimeh Sultan Begum, 62–63, 80, 98, 99, 110, 111, 112, 245, 273n

  Sanam Ali Khan, 147, 278n

  Saraswati, 51, 73, 74

  Scheherazade, 47

  sehras, 169, 282n

  Shab-i barat, feast of, 51, 133

  Shah Abbas, 178, 180–181, 186

  Shahdara, 213, 215

  Shah of Bijapur, 193–194

  Shah Jahan, see Khurram (Shah Jahan)

  Shah Jahan Nama, 212, 213–214, 218, 220

  Shahnama (Book of Kings), 46

  Shahryar, 85, 96, 100, 112, 149, 178, 184, 188, 245, 267n, 271n

  appearance of, 169

  birth of, 282n

  blinding of, 215

  commands Mughal forces in Kandahar, 179, 186

  defeat of, 214–215

  execution of, 215–216

  health issues of, 209–210

  Jahangir’s kidnapping and, 198–199, 200

  in Kabul, 194–195

  marriage to Ladli, 164–165, 166–171, 282n

  Nur’s advocacy for, 178, 179, 181, 211–212, 213–214

  Shah Tahmasp, 15, 16–18, 19, 43

  Shaikh Abdul-Wahab, 154

  Shakespeare, William, 2

  Shakuntala, 52

  Shankar Tank, 133

  Shapur, 22, 53

  Sharif ul-Mulk, 170–171, 184, 208–209, 216

  Shashti, 73

  Sher Afgan. See Ali Quli Beg

  Shi’a Muslims, 11–12, 17, 44, 50–51, 180, 184–185, 254–255n, 257–258n

  Shirazi, Mulla Kami, 243, 249

  Shiva, 5, 73

  Shuja, 131, 161–162, 224

  Siddhichandra, 120, 223 Bhanuchandra Carita, 274n

  Sikandara, 94

  Sikri, 32

  Silk Road, 7

  Sind, 62, 63, 206, 208–209

  Sir-nag, 135

  Sistan region, 23–24

  Sita, 5

  Solomon, King, 168, 282n

  sovereignty, new styles of, 12

  Spin Ghar Mountains, 29

  Srinagar, Kashmir, 158–160, 225

  Sufism, 11–12, 17, 18, 42, 44, 73, 128, 159, 188, 279–280n

  Suhrawardi, 43

  Sulaiman Mountains, 180

  Sundar Das, 183

  Sunni Muslims, 11–12, 17, 44, 180, 254–255n, 257–258n

  Sunullah Efendi, 185

  syadvada (relativism), 120

  Taj Majal, 166, 175, 176, 225

  Talib Amuli, 53, 160

  Tamerlane, 1, 218

  Terry, Edward, 100

  Thana, 211

  Thatta, fortress at, 208–209, 216

  Thousand and One Nights, 47

  Tibet, 15

  Tieffenthaler, Josef, 176

  tigers, 1–4, 154–155

  Timur, 218

  Toba Kakur range, 29

  Toda, 132, 140

  Tons River, 190

  trade and travel routes, 20–21

  Tree of Zakkum, 52–53

  tughra, 141

  Turan (Transoxiana), 171

  Turkestan, 15

  Turks, 17, 129

  Tuti-Nama, 47

  Ujjain, 126–128

  ulema, 152

  “Universal Peace” philosophy, 42–43

  Uzbekistan, 15

  Uzbeks, 171

  Vaishnavite, 128

  Valeh Dhagestani, Riaz al-sho’ara, 273n

  van den Broecke, Pieter, 118–119

  Vedanta, 128

  Vedas, 51, 128

  Vernag springs, 160–161

  Verse of Light, 159

  Victoria, Queen, 5

  vina, 74

  Vishnu, 73, 128

  Wak-Wak, 46–59

  Wasli, 53

  wet nurses, 86

  women, 148. See also girls; Mughal women

  intellectual achievements of, 55–56

  in Islamic history, 222

  literacy of, 264–265n

  in Persia, 18

  as source of trouble, turmoil, and temptation, 185

  Xavier, Jerome, Mirror of Holiness: A Life of Christ, 79

  Yamuna River, 67, 94 166, 225

  Yusuf Khan Kashmiri, 269n

  Yusufzai clan, 115

  Zu-Zanab, 14–15

  ALSO BY RUBY LAL

  Coming of Age in Nineteenth-Century India:<
br />
  The Girl-Child and Art of Playfulness

  Domesticity and Power in the Early Mughal World

  Copyright © 2018 by Ruby Lal

  All rights reserved

  First Edition

  For information about permission to reproduce selections from this book, write to Permissions, W. W. Norton & Company, Inc., 500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110

  For information about special discounts for bulk purchases, please contact W. W. Norton Special Sales at specialsales@wwnorton.com or 800-233-4830

  Book design by Chris Welch

  Production manager: Anna Oler

  JACKET DESIGN: Chin-Yee Lai

  JACKET ART: Idealized portrait of the Mughal empress Nur Jahan (1577–1645), ca. 1725–1750. India, Rajasthan, Kishangarh. Watercolor, opaque watercolor and gold on paper; 11 5/8 × 8 1/2 in. (29.52 × 21.59 cm). Gift of Diandra and Michael Douglas (M.81.271.7). Digital image © 2018 Museum Associates / LACMA. Licensed by Art Resource, NY.

  ISBN: 978-0-393-23934-8

  ISBN: 978-0-393-63540-9 (e-book)

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