This is the fourth book in Alex Rutherford’s excellent series on the Moghul Empire. He sticks fairly closely to history while adding fictional authorial text.
This volume covers Jahangir, the empire's fourth emperor, who reigned from 1605 until his death in 1627. He rebelled against his father, Akbar the Great, but as the last remaining son, he reconciled with him before his death. On becoming emperor, he took the regnal name Nur-ud-din Muhammad Jahangir—usually shortened to Jahangir, meaning roughly “world-seizer.”
His reign continued many of Akbar's administrative and territorial policies. He faced several rebellions, most notably one led by his eldest son, Prince Khusrau, in 1606. Jahangir suppressed the rebellion and imprisoned Khusrau. Externally, he attempted to expand the Empire to the Deccan region in the south, but without the same success as in the north.
A key element in the book was the influence of his wife Nur Jahan (Mehrunissa). They married in 1611, and she became an exceptionally influential figure at court. She participated in political decision-making, issued orders and coins in her name, and helped shape appointments and alliances. The author argues that she did this by keeping the Emperor addicted to alcohol and opium. It is difficult to know how true this is. He also developed an interest in England when the ambassador Sir Thomas Roe visited his court between 1615 and 1619 to seek trading privileges for the English East India Company.
The book ends with the inevitable succession battle, as Nur Jahan sought to retain her influence by trying to install her son as Emperor. However, Prince Khurram won the struggle, executed challengers and took the regnal name Shah Jahan.
I am a big fan of this period, and collected a lot of books while developing my 28mm armies for display games some years ago.
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