THE EMPRESS Nur Jahan

Nur Jahan was the only Empress in the history of the Mughal Empire. Reigning as an equal with her husband Jahangir, she was the only woman to issue executive orders, mint coins, or lead an army — and her tiger-hunting skills were legendary. Though she was one of the most influential leaders in 17th century Asia, for centuries her legacy has been reduced to a love story that ends where her real adventure began–at her marriage to Emperor Jahangir. With our guest Dr. Ruby Lal, author of the new book Empress: The Astonishing Reign of Nur Jahan, we discover the incredible life of this enigmatic and influential ruler.

Olivia’s interview with Ruby Lal was recorded on location at the 2018 Jaipur Literature Festival at the Boulder Public Library.

Nur Jahan shown dressed in man's clothing of 17th century India (full orange trousers and white shirt, wtih black turban) and holding a rifle with her hand on the muzzle. — Nur Jahan Holding a Gun
Abul- Hasan Nadiruz Zaman
courtesy of Rampur Raza Library

Nur Jahan in striped trousers, overskirt, and jewelry holds a stylized portrait of Emperor Jahangir — Nur Jahan Holding a Portrait of Emperor Jahangir
courtesy of The Cleveland Museum of Art

A group of people on horseback stand near a river, gazing at a dead tiger with a spear in its side — Nur Jahan Kills a Tiger with a Spear
Ustad Haji Muhammad Sharif
courtesy of S. M. Mansoor

A group of Mughal princesses on horseback play polo — Nur Jahan Plays Polo With Other Princesses
Ustad Haji Muhammad Sharif
courtesy, S. M. Mansoor

A large red sandstone building with many arcaded openings and palm trees in front. — Tomb of Nur Jahan
Lahore, Pakistan
photo by Sohaib Tahir

A white marble building with four towers, a central raised section and broad entry path. — I’timād ud Daulah (the “Baby Taj”)
The tomb designed by Nur Jahan for her parents
Agra, India
photo by Olivia Meikle

A highly stylized red sandstone building with towers and balconies in a stone courtyard. — Fatehpur Sikri, where Nur Jahan’s parents joined the court of Akbar the Great after her birth
photo by Olivia Meikle

Embossed silver coins with stylized writing bearing the rulers' names. — Silver Rupee with Nur Jahan and Jahangir’s Names
H. Nelson Wright, Indian Museum Calcutta

Ruby Lal is Professor of South Asian Studies at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. She holds a D.Phil. in Modern History from the University of Oxford, UK, and an M.Phil in History from the University of Delhi, India. Her narrative history Empress: The Astonishing Reign of Nur Jahan, was published in 2018. Her first two books were Domesticity and Power in the Early Mughal World and Coming of Age in Nineteenth Century India: The Girl-Child and the Art of Playfulness, both from Cambridge University Press.

Music featured in this episode included

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