Among the great events that occurred during this interval was the Emperor Jahángír's demanding Núr Jahán Begam in marriage. This subject might be expanded into volumes, but we are necessarily confined to a limited space in thus describing the strange decrees of Fate. Mirzá Ghiyás Beg, the son of Khwája Muhammad Sharíf, was a native of Teheran. Khwája Muhammad was, first of all, the wazír of Muhammad Khán Taklú, governor of Khurasán. After the death of Muhammad Khán, he entered the service of the renowned King Tahmásp Safawí, and was entrusted with the wazírship of Yazd. The Khwája had two sons, Áká Táhir and Mirzá Ghiyás Beg. For his second son the Khwája demanded in marriage the daughter of Mirzá 'Aláu-d dín, who was the father of Áká Mullá. After the death of his father, Mirzá Ghiyás Beg, with two sons and a daughter, travelled to Hindústán. On the road, as he was passing through Kandahár, by the blessing of God another daughter was born to him. In the city of Fathpúr, he had the good fortune to be presented to the Emperor Akbar. In a short time, owing to his devotion to the King's service, and his intel­ligence, Mirzá Ghiyás Beg was raised to the office of diwán or superintendent of the household. He was considered exceedingly clever and skilful, both in writing and in transacting business. He had studied the old poets, and had a nice appreciation of the meaning of words; and he wrote shikasta in a bold and elegant style. His leisure moments were devoted to the study of poetry and style, and his generosity and beneficence to the poor was such that no one ever turned from his door disappointed. In taking bribes, however, he was very bold and daring. When His Highness the Emperor Akbar was staying at Lahore, 'Alí Kulí Beg Istajlú, who had been brought up under Sháh Isma'íl II., having come from the kingdom of 'Irák, became included among the number of the royal servants, and, as Fate ordered it, married that daughter of Mirzá Ghiyás Beg who had been born in Kandahár. Afterwards, in the reign of Jahángír, he received a suitable mansab, and the title of Sher-Afgan was conferred on him. He next received a jágír in the province of Bengal, and departed thither to take possession. His murder of Kutbu-d dín Khán and his own death have already been related. After the death of Kutbu-d dín, the officials of Bengal, in obedience to royal command, sent to Court the daughter of Ghiyás Beg, who had been exalted to the title of 'Itimádu-d daula, and the King, who was greatly distressed at the murder of Kutbu-d dín, entrusted her to the keeping of his own royal mother. There she remained some time without notice. Since, however, Fate had decreed that she should be the Queen of the World and the Princess of the Time,* it happened that on the celebration of New Year's Day in the sixth year of the Emperor's reign, her appearance caught the King's far-seeing eye, and so captivated him that he included her amongst the inmates of his select harem. Day by day her influence and dignity increased. First of all she received the title of Núr Mahal, “Light of the Harem,” but was afterwards distinguished by that of Núr Jahán Begam, “Light of the World.” All her relations and connexions were raised to honour and wealth. ^{* *} No grant of lands was conferred upon any woman except under her seal. In addition to giving her the titles that other kings bestow, the Emperor granted Núr Jahán the rights of sovereignty and government. Sometimes she would sit in the balcony of her palace, while the nobles would present themselves, and listen to her dictates. Coin was struck in her name, with this superscription: “By order of the King Jahángír, gold has a hundred splendours added to it by receiving the impression of the name of Núr Jahán, the Queen Begam.” On all farmáns also receiving the Imperial signature, the name of “Núr Jahán, the Queen Begam,” was jointly attached. At last her authority reached such a pass that the King was such only in name. Repeatedly he gave out that he had bestowed the sovereignty on Núr Jahán Begam, and would say, “I require nothing beyond a sír of wine and half a sír of meat.” It is impossible to describe the beauty and wisdom of the Queen. In any matter that was presented to her, if a difficulty arose, she immediately solved it. Whoever threw him­self upon her protection was preserved from tyranny and oppres­sion; and if ever she learnt that any orphan girl was destitute and friendless, she would bring about her marriage, and give her a wedding portion. It is probable that during her reign no less than 500 orphan girls were thus married and portioned.