Jahangir, the fourth Mughal emperor, was born in 1569 in Fatehpur Sikri. His father, Emperor Akbar, named him Muhammad Sultan Salim after the famous Sufi saint Sheikh Salim Chishti. Akbar ensured Jahangir received the best education and appointed Abdul Rahim Khan Khanan as his tutor. Due to his intelligence, Jahangir mastered Arabic, Persian, Turkish, and Sanskrit. He also gained knowledge in history, geography, botany, music, and painting.
Jahangir’s Love for Art and First Marriage
Jahangir had a deep interest in poetry and painting. At the age of 15, in 1575, he married Man Bai (Shah Begum), the daughter of Raja Bhagwan Das of Amber. In 1587, their son, Prince Khusrau, was born. Historians believe Jahangir had at least twenty wives during his lifetime.
Jahangir’s Rebellion Against Akbar
Jahangir, also known as Prince Salim, developed a habit of luxury and drinking from a young age. This became a concern for Akbar. In 1591, when Akbar left for the Deccan campaign, he appointed Salim as the vice-regent. However, Salim rebelled, seized Bihar’s treasury, and declared himself a ruler in Allahabad. He even adopted the title of Shah.
Akbar, deeply disappointed, sent his trusted advisor Abul Fazl to handle the situation. However, Salim ordered Abul Fazl’s assassination, which greatly upset Akbar. Despite having enough power to punish Salim, Akbar’s fatherly love stopped him from taking harsh action. Eventually, with the efforts of Salima Bano Begum, Salim apologized to his grandmother Maryam Makani and reconciled with Akbar.
Jahangir Becomes Emperor
After Akbar’s death, Salim ascended the throne on October 7, 1605, in Agra, taking the title Nooruddin Muhammad Jahangir. To celebrate his rule, he:
- Freed thousands of prisoners
- Issued coins in his name
- Promoted Akbar’s policy of religious tolerance
Jahangir’s Reforms and Policies
After becoming emperor, Jahangir introduced several reforms to improve law and order:
- Built wells, mosques, and permanent shelters along highways to protect travelers from robbery.
- Banned alcohol and opium production and sale.
- Prevented landlords (zamindars) from illegally seizing land.
- Prohibited officials from confiscating property after an official’s death.
- Limited physical punishments like cutting off hands, feet, or ears during special days.
Jahangir’s Chain of Justice
Jahangir became famous for his "Chain of Justice", which allowed people to seek justice directly from the emperor. The chain was made of pure gold, thirty yards long, and had sixty gold bells. Anyone seeking justice could pull the chain, and it would ring inside the royal palace, alerting Jahangir.
Prince Khusrau’s Role in Mughal History
Prince Khusrau, Jahangir’s eldest son, was known for his strong leadership and ambition. Some believed that Akbar wanted Khusrau to be his successor instead of Jahangir. This led to conflicts within the Mughal court.
Jahangir’s reign is remembered for art, culture, and justice reforms. His rule strengthened the Mughal Empire, continuing Akbar’s legacy of religious harmony and governance.
