This book review was written by Eugene Kernes
“Nur’s shooting skill wasn’t the only
thing that made her highly unusual. She
held a position in the empire never before filled by a woman:
co-sovereign. For more than a decade and
a half, from a few years after their wedding until Jahangir’s death, Nur Jahan
ruled along with her husband, effectively and prominently, successfully
navigating the labyrinth of feudal courtly politics and the male-centered
culture of the Mughal world. She issued
her own imperial orders, and coins of the realm bore her name along with her
husband’s” – Ruby Lal, Chapter One: Queen of Queens, an Introduction, Page 11
“Her husband sought her counsel when he honored and
increased the ranks of deserving officials and noblemen and gave directions for
local administration. Nur was making
decisions having to do with her jagir at Ramsar, about commerce and
taxes, and the concerns of her poor subjects.
She intervened, for example, to protect peasants from harassment or
overtaxation by provincial authorities.” – Ruby Lal, Chapter Ten: Wonder of the
Age, Page 129
“With two formal rites, a Mughal prince moved to
adulthood. The first was when the
emperor gave him an appropriate rank, with or without a significant
administrative-military assignment. The
second was the prince’s marriage. But
these vital signs of a princely adulthood did not make him fully
independent. He had to work in various
offices in order to establish himself as a holder of power and possible
contender for the throne.” – Ruby Lal, Chapter Twelve: The Light-Scattering
Garden, Page 165
Is This An Overview?
The Mughal Empire was a Muslim state, a Mongol successor
state, that controlled much of India.
Within a male dominant political structure, Nur Jahan was able to become
co-sovereign of the empire. The emperor,
Jahangir, trusted Nur to lead. Although
part of a harem, Nur became the favorite, and an equal to the emperor. Earned the ability to lead through talent,
rather than inheritance.
Nur was able to navigate court politics, issue edicts, and made
decisions that were on par with the emperor.
Made decisions on economic policy, property rights, military strategy,
and criminal cases. Nur advised on
official ranks, and gave directions for local administration. Nur was perceived as generous, for Nur protected
the vulnerable members of society, protected people from harassment and over
taxation by officials. Nur was more than
an effective leader, but also had exceptional skill with the musket.
Caveats?
The focus of the book is on court politics, with a lot of
background information on Mughal culture.
Although general effects of decisions were stated, there was not much
information on Nur’s local decisions and administration effects. This organization makes Nur’s influence
appear underwhelming.
