Drunken Mughal King: There has been a Mughal emperor in history who is not only known for his contribution in architecture and administration but is also famous for his severe addiction to alcohol and opium. This person, known as the drunkard king, is none other than Jahangir. Jahangir’s drug dependence greatly affected both his personal life and his rule. Let us know complete information about this Mughal history.

How did this addiction start?

Jahangir’s addiction started from a very young age. At the age of 15, he was given wine mixed with rose water to treat cough. This medicinal use of alcohol gradually turned into his habit. Later, during a battle against Afghan insurgents, someone advised him to drink alcohol to relieve fatigue. After this, his dependence on alcohol increased further and his addiction continued for years.

alcohol and opium addiction

Jahangir’s deep love for alcohol has also been mentioned in his autobiography Tuzuk-e-Jahangiri. It is said that Jahangir used to drink about 20 cups of liquor a day. 14 during the day and 6 at night. Not only this but he also ordered liquor from Iran and Central Asia to fulfill his hobby. Not only alcohol but Jahangir also consumed opium.

Impact on health and governance

Jahangir’s addiction had a deep impact on his health. At one time he became so weak that he could not even drink a glass of alcohol. Jahangir’s doctor had warned that if he did not stop drinking alcohol, he would not be able to survive even for 6 months. After this Jahangir started consuming opium and other dry drugs. With time his ability to rule weakened and after this his wife Noor Jahan took over the reins of administration. Not only Jahangir but his brothers Murad and Daniyal also struggled with alcohol addiction. This addiction became the reason for his death. His love for alcohol and opium greatly influenced not only his personal life but also the Mughal court.

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The Haram of the Mughal Empire has always been a mysterious and attractive theme for historians and writers. Haram was started by Babur. Akbar gave it a grand appearance. During Akbar’s era, there were more than 5,000 women in Haram, including queens, mistresses, maids and women workers. In Arabic, harem means holy place. It was a complex where only the emperor was allowed to enter.

Historian Prannath Chopra writes in his book some aspects of social life during the mughal age that women of different religions and cultures live in Haram. Different parts were made for queens, mistresses and maids. The emperor had different rooms for special favorite women and disliked women. The responsibilities of women included grooming gardens, overseeing curtains and fountains, keeping shama burning etc. There was a strict arrangement of curtains. Many maids used to spend their whole life in harem, but could not even see the king properly.

Security and arrangement
The entry of men in Haram was forbidden, so women also used to do security work. For this, women with strong stature outside India were called, who neither came to the local language nor were interested in meeting anyone.

Salary and eye
A lot of money was required for the arrangement of Mughal harem. A woman posted in a big post used to get a monthly salary of Rs 1600, while at that time 1 Tola gold used to come for only 10 rupees. The woman soldier of Haram used to get so much salary that she could buy gold every month. Many women used to get more than their salary (jewelry, Ashrafis, precious items).

Conditions and rights of entry into harem
There were strict rules to be a part of Haram. Honesty and tension were very important. Haram’s woman could not go out nor could anyone come inside. Women had so much right that they could stop any man at the door except the emperor. The secret royal decree also used to stop at the door and the maids used to do the work of sending him to the queens or the emperor.

Development and collapse of harem in Mughal period
Haram was present from Babur to Bahadur Shah Zafar. From the time of Akbar, this system came in a systematic form. Haram was at its peak during Jahangir. In the era of Aurangzeb, along with the collapse of the Mughal Empire, the collapse of Haram also started and it gradually became the base of the color. The main royal harem was located in Agra, Delhi, Fatehpur Sikri and Lahore. Apart from this, harem was also made in other cities.

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