| Script :
Laila Mahajan
Illustrator : Ram
Waeerkar
ISBN : 81-7508-278-X
Vol. No : 701
Noor Jahan is one of the
most fascinating figures of Mughal India. She showed considerable skill
as an administrator and proved to be a shrewd statesman. Jahangir had full
confidence in his queen. She received courtiers and held discussions with
them regarding the affairs of the state. Royal decrees carried her signature
and coins were struck in her name with this super-inscription: By order
of the King, Jehangir – Gold has a hundred splendours added to it by receiving
the impression of the name of Noor Jahan, the Queen Begum. As observed
by Mutamid Khan, a historian, who was Noor Jahan’s contemporary, “Her authority
reached such a peak that the king was such only in name”.Noor Jahan was
famous for her beauty and wisdom. She was an accomplished poet. She made
popular, the rose perfume invented by her mother. She was adept in embroidery,
and the fabrics and dresses designed by her dominated the world of fashion
for many years. As Abdul Rashid observes, “Fact and fiction have woven
a web of romance around this colourful personality.” According to popular
legends, from which material for this book has been drawn, Noor Jahan and
Jahangir were childhood playmates. But all the available evidence suggests
that the two met for the first time at the Meena Bazaar, the royal bazaar
held annually at the palace of the Emperor.
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