Mirzá Ghiyás Beg was so charitably disposed, that no one ever left his door dissatisfied; but in the taking of bribes he certainly was most uncompromising and fearless. 'Alí Kulí Beg Istajlú, who was educated under the instructions of Sháh Isma'íl the Second, came and entered the service of the Emperor Akbar during the period of his stay at Lahore. He there married Mirzá Ghiyás Beg's daughter, who was born in the city of Kandahár. This individual afterwards entered the service of Jahángír, who honoured him with the title of Sher-Afgan, gave him a jágír in Bengal, and directed him to proceed there. The close of his life and his killing of Kutbu-d dín Khán has already been related in its proper place. After he had met with his reward, and proceeded to the desert of annihilation, by the orders of the King, the officers in Bengal sent the daughter of Mirzá Ghiyás Beg, surnamed I'timádu-d daula, to His Majesty, who, in the deepest affliction at the death of Kutbu-d dín Khán, placed her on the establishment of Rukíya Sultána, one of his father's wives, on which she continued for a long time without any employment. However, the days of misfortune drew to a close, and the stars of her good fortune commenced to shine, and to wake as from a deep sleep. The bride's chamber was prepared, the bride was decorated, and desire began to arise. Hope was happy. A key was found for closed doors, a restorative was found for broken hearts; and on a certain New Year's festival she attracted the love and affection of the King. She was soon made the favourite wife of His Majesty. In the first instance she received the title of Núr Mahal, “the Light of the Palace,” and after some days Núr Jahán Begam, “the Queen, the Light of the World.” All her relations were elevated to the highest offices in the State. I'timádu-d daula became Prime Minister, and her eldest brother, Abú-l Hasan, was appointed Master of the Ceremonies, under the title of I'timád Khán. The King and his relatives were deprived of all power; while the servants and eunuchs of I'timádu-d daula became Kháns and Turkháns. The old servant called Dila Rání, who had nursed the favourite lady of the King, superseded Hájí Koka in the appointment of superintendent of the female servants of the palace, and without her seal the Sadru-s Sadúr would not pay their stipends. Núr Jahán managed the whole affairs of the realm, and honours of every description were at her disposal, and nothing was wanting to make her an absolute monarch but the reading of the khutba in her name.
For some time she sat at the jharoká,* and the nobles came to make their salutations and receive her commands. Coins were struck in her name, and the royal seal on farmáns bore her signature. In short, by degrees she became, except in name, undisputed Sovereign of the Empire, and the King himself became a tool in her hands. He used to say that Núr Jahán Begam has been selected, and is wise enough to conduct the matters of State, and that he wanted only a bottle of wine and piece of meat to keep himself merry.
Núr Jahán won golden opinions from all people. She was liberal and just to all who begged her support. She was an asylum for all sufferers, and helpless girls were married at the expense of her private purse. She must have portioned about 500 girls in her lifetime, and thousands were grateful for her generosity.