A Note on Meherunnisa and Jehangir
By Dasharatha Sharma
Summary
Challenging a popular romantic narrative, this note reassesses the circumstances leading to the marriage of Mughal Emperor Jahangir and Mehrunnisa (later Nur Jahan). The author argues that the story of Jahangir orchestrating the death of Mehrunnisa’s first husband, Sher Afghan Khan, to wed her is a later embellishment. Contemporary chronicles indicate that Sher Afghan died because he rebelled against the Mughal governor of Bengal. Mehrunnisa was then taken into the imperial harem and lived there for several years before marrying Jahangir. The article suggests that political considerations, including alliance‑building and the consolidation of power, likely influenced their union. It calls for distinguishing historical fact from later romanticism and warns against imposing modern moral sensibilities on Mughal polygamy.
Conclusion
The note concludes that Mehrunnisa’s marriage to Jahangir was shaped by political dynamics rather than romantic intrigue. By relying on contemporary sources and avoiding sensationalism, the author provides a clearer understanding of Mughal court life and cautions against perpetuating legends as history.