Paper Details

The Mughal Empire was largely shaped by male rulers, and women were traditionally expected to remain within the private sphere of the royal household. However, the period between 1611 and 1627 marked a significant change with the rise of Nur Jahan, the wife of Emperor Jahangir. This study examines the political influence of Nur Jahan in the Mughal court and highlights how she challenged traditional gender roles in a patriarchal society. The paper explores Nur Jahan’s active participation in governance, administration, and decision-making during Jahangir’s reign. It focuses on her authority in issuing royal orders, her influence over court politics, and her role in diplomatic and military matters. Unlike earlier Mughal women, Nur Jahan exercised power openly, which was a rare and remarkable development in medieval Indian history. Her name appearing on imperial coins and official documents symbolises her recognised political authority. This study also analyses how Nur Jahan redefined the position of women in the Mughal court by stepping beyond domestic boundaries and entering the public and political sphere. Through her leadership, confidence, and political skills, she demonstrated that women were capable of effective governance. The paper is based on historical sources and modern scholarly interpretations to present a balanced understanding of Nur Jahan’s role. It concludes that Nur Jahan’s political career not only strengthened Mughal administration during Jahangir’s rule but also left a lasting impact on the history of women and power in South Asia.

Mughal court politics, Women’s political authority, Mughal administration, Gender roles , Patriarchal power structure