succeeded by his son Hoomayoon, who, dying from a fall very shortly after his elevation to sovereign power, made way for his son Akbar, whose name occupies so conspicuous a place in Oriental history.
The reign of Akbar was long and principally employed in resisting rebellion or invasion, or in extending his own dominions by that conquest whose spirit is one of the fundamental principles of Mahomedanism, which decrees that unbelieving nations should be reduced to the alternative of extermination or tribute. His success, though but partial, was sufficient in his own judgment to authorize his assuming the title of Emperor of the Deccan; and at the time of his death his territories were divided into thirteen Soobahs, or vice-royalties, viz., Allahabad, Agra, Oude, Ajmere, Guzerat, Behar, Bengal, Delhi, Caubul, Lahore, Mooltan, Mahe, Berar, Candeish, and Ahmednugour.
Akbar was succeeded by his only son, Selim, who, with Oriental modesty, assumed the name of Jehanghir, or Conqueror of the, World. The most remarkable circumstance of this monarch's life was his romantic passion for the daughter of a Tartar adventurer, who had raised himself to favour in the court of Akbar. She was a woman of exquisite beauty and accomplishments; and after some singular adventures she was espoused by the Conqueror of the World, who changed her name to Noor Mahal, or Light of the Harem, and, subsequently, to Noor Jehan, or Light of the World. Thenceforward, her influence was unbounded; her family were raised to the highest offices and distinctions; her father becoming Vizier, and her two brothers Omrahs of the empire.[1]
- ↑ According to the legend current in Asia, the birth and infancy of Noor Mahal had been distinguished by circumstances of an extraordinary character. It is said that her father travelling towards Hindostan, with his wife far advanced in pregnancy, their means of subsistence failed in the desert. They had fasted three days, when their sorrows were aggravated by the birth of a daughter. Without the means of supporting themselves, they regarded the preservation of their child as hopeless; and after a struggle between natural affection and necessity, they yielded to the latter, and agreed to abandon the infant. She was placed accordingly at the foot of a tree, and, having been covered with leaves, the travellers slowly departed. While the tree was in sight, the mother retained her
