Emperor Jahangir: An Emperor of Transformation – I

Emperor Akbar died, and according to Mughal tradition, his eldest son, Prince Salim, ascended the throne. His full name was Mirza Nuruddin Beg Muhammad Khan Salim Jahangir. Upon ascending the throne in 1605, he adopted the title “Nuruddin Muhammad Jahangir Badshah Ghazi” and thereafter became widely known as Jahangir.
From an early age, Salim studied Persian, Turkish and Hindi, along with subjects such as mathematics, history and geography. Under the guidance of accomplished tutors, he became proficient in various fields, while his poetic talent emerged during his adolescence. His military training and skills also marked him as a future emperor. In 1581, he successfully led an expedition to Kabul. He was later entrusted with judicial responsibilities and duties related to royal ceremonies, where he demonstrated sound judgment, intelligence and leadership. He received a mansab of 10,000 in 1577 and was elevated to 12,000 in 1585.
Akbar had three sons—Salim, Murad and Daniyal. Salim, the eldest, was capable but also fond of luxury and known for his unruly behaviour. Court scholars such as Abul Fazl were therefore critical of him. Murad was heavily addicted to alcohol and eventually died from excessive drinking. Akbar favoured his youngest son, Daniyal, which made Salim fear that the throne might pass to his younger brother.
Unwilling to wait until his father’s death, Salim began preparing for a rebellion while Akbar was still alive. While Akbar was occupied in the Deccan, Salim raised the banner of an independent state in Allahabad, issued coins in his own name and began distributing jagirs. Akbar struggled to contain the rebellion from 1601 to 1604.
Several attempts were made to suppress Salim’s revolt. Raja Man Singh even sought to have Salim’s son, Khusrau, declared Akbar’s heir, further unsettling Salim. Eventually, Salim surrendered to his father. But fate compelled Akbar to forgive him. Daniyal died at a young age, leaving Akbar devastated. He embraced Salim and pardoned him.
Soon afterward, Akbar fell seriously ill and died on October 25, 1605. Before his death, he confirmed Salim as his successor. Salim then ascended the Mughal throne as Emperor Jahangir and adopted a policy of territorial expansion.