Post by prashna on Mar 16, 2011 21:09:16 GMT
It was 1640. Shah-n-Shah Shah Jehan had been in the throne for 13 years now. 8 years had passed since work began on the construction of Taj Mahal. Jahanara Begum Sahib was the eldest of 14 children and Shah-n-Shah's favourite. She never married.
Beautiful in looks and talented as a poet, she was also active in Imperial matters behind the scenes. As Badshah Begum she had considerable power and influence. In her honour, her father had erected the famous Jumma Masjid in Delhi, the largest Mosque in India.
She had a favourite maid. One day by accident ther burqua caught fire. Jehan Ara herself rushed to her aid and suffered extensive burns. From across the empire, many hakim's (medicine men) came, much elaj (treatment) was done. But to no avail. The princess was at death's door.
In desperation, Shah Jehan called for a famous English Surgeon, Gabriel Boughton, from the English settlement in Surat. Boughton said, I need to see the patient.
WHAT?
The courtiers were stunned! What says the beyadab (boor)?
The kambakt(scoundrel) refuses to honour the jenana (privacy) of Shah-n-Shah Badshah?
But in the end, a father's love triumphed over prevailing Muslim practice. Shah-n-Shah agreed to Boughton. Within weeks Jehan Ara was well again. At her request, Shah Jehan offered to grant whatever Boughton wished!
Bowing low to the ground, Boughton asked, " I wish nothing for myself. But for my countrymen, please award a small piece of land near Balasore 140 miles South of Calcutta. It should be a FREE PORT and give the English traders right to free and unlimited trade.
So let it be written, so let it be done - came the Imperial decree.
That was the start of the trading empire, later to become the East India Company. The rest is history....
In modern history, there is only one other example of such sacrifice for one's own country. That was the Jewish Scientist, [/b]
Dr. Chaim Weizmann...
But that's another story..... ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
References:
Prashna
Beautiful in looks and talented as a poet, she was also active in Imperial matters behind the scenes. As Badshah Begum she had considerable power and influence. In her honour, her father had erected the famous Jumma Masjid in Delhi, the largest Mosque in India.
She had a favourite maid. One day by accident ther burqua caught fire. Jehan Ara herself rushed to her aid and suffered extensive burns. From across the empire, many hakim's (medicine men) came, much elaj (treatment) was done. But to no avail. The princess was at death's door.
In desperation, Shah Jehan called for a famous English Surgeon, Gabriel Boughton, from the English settlement in Surat. Boughton said, I need to see the patient.
WHAT?
The courtiers were stunned! What says the beyadab (boor)?
The kambakt(scoundrel) refuses to honour the jenana (privacy) of Shah-n-Shah Badshah?
But in the end, a father's love triumphed over prevailing Muslim practice. Shah-n-Shah agreed to Boughton. Within weeks Jehan Ara was well again. At her request, Shah Jehan offered to grant whatever Boughton wished!
Bowing low to the ground, Boughton asked, " I wish nothing for myself. But for my countrymen, please award a small piece of land near Balasore 140 miles South of Calcutta. It should be a FREE PORT and give the English traders right to free and unlimited trade.
So let it be written, so let it be done - came the Imperial decree.
That was the start of the trading empire, later to become the East India Company. The rest is history....
In modern history, there is only one other example of such sacrifice for one's own country. That was the Jewish Scientist, [/b]
Dr. Chaim Weizmann...
But that's another story..... ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
References:
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shah_Jahan#Rule
- india-saga.blogspot.com/2009/11/europeans-in-india.html
- www.flickr.com/photos/anirbanbrahma/508490681/
- www.aish.com/jl/h/48961161.html
Prashna