Jahangir – The Ruler

The fourth Mughal ruler, Jahangir (31 August 1569 – 28 October 1627) was a successor and Son of Akbar. Jahangir was recognized for his ambivalent stand on religion and his adoration for art. Like most of the Mughal rulers, Jahangir has provided India with a few of the most remarkable buildings and monuments structures that have lasted the centuries without losing their magnificence.

Also called Nur-ud-din Mohammad Salim, he was acknowledged as a supporter of the arts. Jahangir was claimed to be a just ruler, one who personally paid attention to the grievances of his subjects. He ruled from 1605 until his demise in 1627.

Reign

Prince Salim, Son of Akbar ascended to the throne on Thursday, 3 November 1605, eight days subsequent to his father’s demise. He was given the name of Nur-ud-din Muhammad Jahangir Badshah Ghazi and hence commenced his 22-year long rule at the age of 36.

The initial year of Jahangir’s reign saw an upheaval carried out by his eldest son Khusraw with the aid of the Sikh Guru Arjun and others. The revolt was quickly put down; Khusraw was presented before his father in chains. Guru Arjun was executed, resulting in permanent corrosion of relations between the Mughal Empire and the Sikhs.

Jahangir’s relations with the Hindu rulers of Rajasthan were more thriving, and he was successful in settling the conflicts inherited from his father. Three military campaigns were escorted to conciliations and were settled on good terms. The Hindu rulers acknowledged Mughal supremacy but were able to keep their territories & possessions. They were given high ranks in the Mughal aristocracy.

Being the Son of Akbar, Jahangir’s rule was inspired by his father’s institutions of brilliant administration, and his reign was distinguished by political constancy, a strong economy, and remarkable cultural achievements. Delhi, Lahore, Agra, and Ahmedabad became important cities of the world.

Jahangir enjoyed the pastimes away from the court and was a heavy drinker & habitual user of opium. From a young age, he demonstrated a propensity towards painting and had an atelier of his own. His concentration in portraiture led to much expansion in this art form. The art of Mughal painting achieved great heights under Jahangir’s rule, blending technical mastery with a spiritual perception of personalities portrayed in the portraits. 

Jahangir’s leaning in painting also served his scientific curiosities in nature. The painter Ustad Mansur became one of the finest artists to portray animals and plants which Jahangir either stumbled upon on his military exhibitions or obtained as donations from emissaries of other countries. Jahangir sustained an enormous aviary and a large zoo kept documentation of every specimen, and organized experiments. A later historian commented that Jahangir would have made a brilliant museum director.

In affairs of government, Jahangir quickly came under the influence of his Persian wife and her relatives, who from 1611 controlled Mughal politics. While this had an advantageous influence on intellectual and artistic life – Jahangir encouraged Persian culture and prolonged his father’s custom of public debate between different religions – the incessant plotting at court weakened the country.

The situation extended into open crisis when Jahangir’s third son Prince Khurram, dreading to be eliminated from the throne, revolted in 1622. Jahangir’s forces hunted Khurram and his troops from Fatehpur Sikri to the Deccan, to Bengal, and reverse to the Deccan, till Khurram surrendered categorically in 1626.

Marriages

Jahangir had almost 20 wives in total, comprising his favorite wife and consort, Nur Jahan. Many of his marriages took place for political reasons, whereas others were personal. 

Death

On the drive from Kashmir to Lahore, Jahangir expired near Bhimber in 1627. To preserve and protect his dead body, the entrails were eliminated; these were buried within Baghsar Fort close to Bhimber in Kashmir. The body was subsequently transmitted by palanquin to Lahore and was buried in Shahdara Bagh, a neighborhood of that city. The graceful mausoleum is today a well-liked tourist attraction site.

Jahangir’s third son, Prince Khurram succeeded the throne, who acquired the regnal name Shah Jahan.

Conclusion

Jahangir, Son of Akbar was a harmonious, moderate Muslim—an emperor who adored painting, architecture, and the fine arts. A triumphant and generous ruler, he valued the security of his Indian subjects, respected both Hindu and Muslim saints, and advanced social conditions without interfering with traditions. But Jahangir was indeed not devoid of military ambitions.