on foot beside the animal to protect her and the panniers which contained all their earthly possessions.  The morning after the caravan reached Kandahar, Turkestan, a daughter was born to the wife of Mirza, and was, naturally, a great source of anxiety and embarrassment to him, but the principal merchant of the caravan, struck with the beauty of the child and with sympathy for the mother, provided for their immediate needs, took them with him to Agra and there used his good offices with the officials in behalf of the father, who was given employment under the government.  His ability and fidelity were soon recognized.  He was promoted rapidly, and finally reached the highest office in the gift of the Mogul—­that of prime minister of the empire—­which he filled with conspicuous ability, wisdom and prudence for many years.  As his daughter grew to girlhood she attracted the attention of Prince Jehanghir, who became violently in love with her, and, to prevent complications, the emperor caused her to be married to Shir Afghan Kahn, a young Persian of excellent family, who was made viceroy of Bengal, and took his wife with him to Calcutta.

Several years later, when Jehanghir ascended the throne, he had not forgotten the beautiful Persian, and sent emissaries to Calcutta to arrange with her husband for a divorce so that he might take her into his own harem.  Shir Afghan refused, and the king ordered his assassination.  Nur Jehan undoubtedly loved her husband, and sincerely mourned him.  She repelled the addresses of the emperor, and for several years earned her living by embroidery and painting silks.  One day the emperor surprised her in her apartment.  He was the only man in India who had the right to intrude upon his lady subjects, but seems to have used it with rare discretion.  When she recognized her visitor she bowed her head to the floor nine times in accordance with the custom of the country; and although she was wearing the simplest of garments, she had lost none of her beauty or graces, and treated the Mogul with becoming modesty and dignity.  When he reproached her for her plain attire she replied: 

“Those born to servitude must dress as it shall please them whom they serve.  Those women around me are my servants and I lighten their bondage by every indulgence in my power; and I, who am your slave, O Emperor of the World, am willing to dress according to your pleasure and not my own.”

This significant retort pleased His Majesty immensely, and, with the facilities that were afforded emperors in those days, he had her sent at once to the imperial harem, where she was provided with every possible comfort and luxury and was promoted rapidly over the other women.  She received the title Nur Jehan Begam (Light of the World).  The Emperor granted her the right of sovereignty in her own name; her portrait was placed upon the coin of the country; and after several years her power became so great that the officials would not obey any important order