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Jahangir had to wait for 17 years to get his love.

Of course she did not sit on the throne but the government followed her instructions. She was the most powerful Begum of the Mughal era. Jahangir had a thousand begums and concubines in his harem, yet he had to wait seventeen years to get his love back. Meanwhile she became someone else's. Became the mother of a daughter. But Jahangir could not forget him. He did not shy away from getting Rakib Ali Quli Beg murdered. Then Mehar-un-Nisa became the beauty of the harem and after her marriage with Jahangir, she became famous by the name of Malika-e-Hind Noorjahan.

There were about a thousand women in Jahangir's harem. During his rule, the British ambassador Thomas Roe wrote about all these as his wives. But Roe's pastor Edward Terry has described four married begums and the rest as concubines. William Hawkins wrote that the number of begums was three hundred and four of them were major queens. These three hundred are said to be related to his bed. Jahangir himself had made a list of his wives and children. According to him the number of Begums was 19. In 1585, at the age of sixteen, his first marriage took place with his cousin Manbai of Amer. He was in love with Meher (Noorjahan) since 1594. But one had to wait till 1611 for her marriage.

Mehar at first glance

Mehar's father Ghiyas Beg was an official in Akbar's court. Meher often visited Mughal palaces with her mother. Prince Salim (Jahangir) had fallen in love with her at the very first sight. Found solitude at some point. Salim held his hand. Frightened Mehar freed his hand and ran away. The complaint reached Akbar. He advised Ghiyas Beg to immediately marry Meher to Ali Quli Beg (Sher Afghan).

Noor Jahan is also called Malika-e-Hind. Photo- Getty Images

Ruby Lal, in “Malika-e-Hind – The Surprising Reign of Noorjahan”, writes quoting historian Alexander Dow that on one occasion Salim went to Ghiyas's house. Wine was served during dinner. As per custom, the women were introduced from behind the curtain. Meher also came forward wearing a niqab. But whatever happened next, Salim's madness increased further.

Salim's request and Akbar's refusal

Meher was still in niqab at that time but her height and gait fascinated Salim. Her singing impressed Salim even more. Salim wanted to see him. Then it happened intentionally or suddenly that Meher's mask fell. The eyes of both met. Whatever happened to Meher, he kept it within himself. But Salim again remained silent that evening. Next morning, Salim expressed his desire for mercy in front of his father and Emperor Akbar. By then Mehar was engaged to Ali Quli Baig. This relationship was happening on the initiative of Akbar. Akbar rejected Salim's request. But still Salim's efforts continued.

Here the pigeons flew, there Salim remained restless

Salim kept looking for opportunities. He reached Mehar's house on several occasions. In “History of India”, Stuart Elphinstone wrote in the love story of Salim and Meher that Salim handed over two pigeons to take care of Meher. Meher blows him away. Salim was enraged by his behavior. Syed Muhammad Latif wrote in “History of Punjab” that Salim's mother was very fond of the very beautiful Mehar. She used to sing and dance as per the wishes of the queen. One day Salim reached there at the time of her dance. Meher's charm captivated him. His presence of mind also impressed me. Then both of them started wanting to see and meet each other.

Jahangir. Photo: Getty Images

Ali Kuli's mercy again

Akbar had refused. But Salim's efforts continued. He expressed his love for Mehar on many occasions. His mother Asmat also asked for Mehr's hand. Asmat conveyed the message to Akbar through Salim's mother. Meanwhile, even after getting engaged to Ali Quli, Meher's inclination towards Salim was increasing. He tried his best to convince his parents. Said that she would be happy only with Salim. Will bend it with her fingers like wax. He even warned that refusing to marry Salim would be costly for the family. He will take revenge brutally. All the news was reaching Akbar. He was adamant in his denial. His order was for the marriage of Mehar and Ali Quli Beg as soon as possible. Both of them got married in 1594. To keep Salim away from them, Akbar soon sent both of them to Bengal.

Ali was with Salim in rebellion

Of course Meher was now away from Salim. But in those days Salim, who was living in Allahabad, called Ali Coolie to him. Meanwhile, Mehar had become the mother of a daughter. She remained alone with the small girl in Bardhaman. Salim feared that his father Akbar might deprive him of the throne. Salim chose the path of rebellion. Then, on the initiative of the elderly Begums of the family, reconciliation took place between father and son. During this period, Ali Quli's distance from Salim increased. Ali Quli feared that Akbar might punish him because he was angry with Salim for supporting him. Leaving Salim, Ali Quli once again went back towards Bengal.

Jahangir, son of Mughal emperor Akbar. Photo: Getty Images

Ali again accused of rebellion against Jahangir

Akbar died in 1605. Salim was crowned as the fourth Mughal emperor on 24 October 1605. Now that emperor was Jahangir. In 1607, Jahangir's son Khusro rebelled. Khusro was made prisoner in August this year. Meher's husband Sher Afghan (Ali Quli) was also accused of taking part in the rebellion. His land in Vardwan was confiscated. A new governor was sent to Bengal and he received orders to bring Ali Quli to Agra. If someone causes any trouble, he should be punished there.

Ali Quli was unaware of all this. On hearing the news of the Governor's arrival, he left to welcome him. As soon as the Governor entered the camp, the soldiers surrounded him. Sensing the danger, by the time his hands reached the sheath of his sword, the soldiers had killed him. On the other hand, Jahangir wrote in his memoirs that the porter badly injured the governor and then the soldiers cut him into pieces and sent him to hell.

As soon as I became king, I remembered Meher again.

According to historian Syed Muhammad Latif, Salim was now Emperor Jahangir. He wanted to get dowry somehow. He asked unarmed Ali Quli to fight the lion in the jungle. Ali won and was called Sher Afghan. Saved himself from the attack of forty assassins sent by Jahangir. Jahangir sent his foster mother's son as the governor of Bengal and gave him the responsibility to persuade Ali Quli to divorce Meher.

Ali Quli rejected this offer. But ultimately Jahangir succeeded in his objective. After the death of Ali Quli, Mehar was brought back to Agra by Jahangir's soldiers in 1608. 31 year old Mehar, mother of an innocent daughter, was now more attractive, cultured and mature.

Jahangir and Noorjahan. Photo: Getty Images

Now the most favorite Begum in Jahangir's harem

Meher was kept under the protection of three elderly women in Jahangir's harem. In the sixth year of his rule, Jahangir married Meher on 11 May 1611. It was given the new name Noor Mahal. Later she became known as Noorjahan. In his memoirs, Jahangir remembers Nur Jahan as a wonderful caregiver, capable advisor, hunter, diplomat and most of all his favorite Begum. Ruby Lal has quoted court historian Muhammad Hadi on the marriage of Jahangir-Noor.

"The unfortunate days were about to pass. The star of a beautiful future was beginning to shine and he was awakening from a deep sleep. The bridal chamber was being prepared. The bride was adorned. The will to live was being aroused. Hopes were awakening. A key had been found to the locked doors. Something to strengthen broken hearts had been found. And on the celebration of a fixed date she attracted the love and charm of the king. She soon “Became the king’s favorite wife.”