suppression of a subsequent revolt there.
reserved only for the members of the royal family. But the greatest
achievement of Todar Mal was his famous revenue settlement of the
empire which has since remained the foundation of Indian land revenue
policy.
Under his instructions the revenue accounts were kept in the Persian
language and script. The Hindus had thus to learn Persian and this enabled
them to qualify themselves for higher government service. Great as a
financier and solider Todar Mal was equally noted for his honesty. Abul
Fazl speaks of him in terms of unreserved praise. There is no doubt that he
was one of the ablest and most upright of Akbar’s officers.
OTHER GREAT MUGHALS
Jahangir (1605–27)
Reforms Prince Salim assumed the title of Jahangir (World Conqueror) and
adhered to Akbar’s ideals of the coexistence of all religious communities. He
remitted some local taxes on trade and the manufacturing of goods. He also
forbade the killing of animal for food on Thursdays and Sundays. Besides, he
sought to enhance the importance of the mazolim court.
NUR JAHAN
In 1611 Jahangir married Mihr-un-nisa, the widow of Sher Afghan, who
was killed fighting the governor of Bengal. After her marriage Mihr-un-
nisa was given the title Nur Mahal (Light of the Palace) and, later, Nur
Jahan (Light of World). Nur Jahan’s father, Itimad-ud-daula, had been
appointed joint-diwan long before the wedding. After his daughter’s
marriage to the emperor, he was promoted as wazir. Nur Jahan’s elder
brother, Mirza Abul Hasan, was given the title Asaf Khan and was
appointed khan-i-saman. In 1612 Asaf Khan’s daughter, Arjumand Banu
Begum (later entitled Mumtaz Mahal), married Jahangir’s third son, prince
Khurram. Coins were even struck in her name, but it was not until 1622
that Jahangir’s rapidly declining health reduced him to a figure-head and