Jhangir Mughal Era
Jhangir Mughal Era
Jhangir Mughal Era
Prince Salīm was the eldest son of the emperor Akbar, who early
marked Salīm to succeed him. Impatient for power, however, Salīm
revolted in 1599 while Akbar was engaged in the Deccan. Akbar on his
deathbed confirmed Salīm as his successor. The new emperor chose the
Persian name Jahāngīr (“World Seizer”) as his reign name.
1. Chain of justice:
The earliest measure of Jahangir was that a golden chain having 60 bells
and weighing several ‘maunds’ was fastened between the Shahburj of
Agra fort and a stone pillar raised on the banks of river Jamuna. People
seeking justice were required to pull this chain in order to put forth
their complaints or petitions to the King. This act speaks very high of
Jahangir’s sense of justice but to what extent it proved helpful is not
clearly known.
2. Issuance of 12 rules of conduct (‘Dastur-ul-Amal’):
Jahangir issued the following orders which demonstrate his concern for
the welfare of the people:
1) He abolished the Tagma’ and “meerwahi” toll taxes and the taxes
that the Subedars imposed on the people for their expenses
(2) He ordered for the construction of mosques, sarais, and wells on the
road-sides which reduced the dangers from the thieves and dacoits.
(3) He ordered that the property of the dead would be passed over to
their legal heirs and the unclaimed property would go to the state, the
income of which would be spent on public-welfare.
(6) He ordered that the land-lords would not forcibly occupy the lands
of the farmers.
(8) Animal slaughter was banned on two days in the week i.e. Thursday,
his Coronation day, and Sunday, the day of his father and on certain
other occasions in the year.
(9) Akbar held Sunday with respect because it was the day of the sun.
So Jahangir did like-wise.
(10) He reinstated all the mansabdars, appointed during Akbar’s reign,
in their positions and promoted them on merit.
(11) The Jagirs, known as Aima and Madadgar, granted to the religious
and charitable institutions were allowed to remain with them.
(12) All the convicts, serving for longer periods, were released from the
jails.