The
Princess Jahanara
(April
02,1614
to September 16,1681)
was the eldest
daughter of
5th
Mogul
Emperor
ShahJahan,
the builder of the world famous Taj Mahal, Agra and Empress Mumtaz
Mahal.
She was the older sister of Aurangazeb
(6th
Mogul Emperor). After
the death of her mother Mumtaz Mahal, she took care of the Royal house
with care and dedication. As Shahjahan
was
very
much shattered after the death of Mumtaz,
Jahanara paid special attention to him to
help him recover
from grief and pangs of pain.
 |
| Jahanara Begum,daughter of Shahjahan, India indianetzone.com |
Shahjahan,
very much impressed as he was, allowed Jahanara
to
live in her own palace outside the confines of Agra fort, a special
privilege other princesses were not given.
 |
| Shahjahan, 5th Mogul Emperor,India.madhukidiary.com, |
Just
after her 30th birthday, when applying fragrant
perfume
oil on her garment, unexpectedly her dress caught fire which had
caused serious burn injuries to her..
The Emperor was quite miserable that she would remain disfigured for
life.
Then
he heard that at the English
factory
in Surat, there was a very clever British
doctor who could give his daughter right medicine and treatmentand he sent word to him to come to his
Court
at once Dr. Gabriel
Boughton
obeyed, and
succeeded
in curing the Princess,
and nursing her back to lead a normal life as other people.
The
Emperor was delighted, and told him to
name
his own reward; would he have
gold
or jewels? would he have lands,or a place at Court?
As
the British India company was struggling to settle down to Business
in Bengal the shrewd and intelligent doctor, taking advantage of the
pleasant situation, requested the Emperor to allow the company to carry on ''duty free'' mercantile trade. The Emperor obliged and the East
India company got the best trade concession which helped them a lot
in the future operations.
''Dame Luck''smiled on the British traders. The smart doctor
went away having done
so
much
for his country and nothing for himself, unlike many other Englishmen (who were prone to lay their hands on the treasures of Indian Maharajas and Nawobs).
Some
historians say that it was not
the
Princess Jahanara whom Dr. Boughton cured, but some other lady in the
palace. When
the Company wanted
lands
to build a factory in Bengal, and they chose a place on the banks of
the river Hughli. That
time Mogul Emperor Farrukh-siyar,
became weak and
was
taken
ill and was
unfit
to
rule.
Because,
none
of his own doctors
could
cure him,
he asked William Hamilton of East India co, to get a surgeon. When
the Emperor asked about his fees surgeon
Gabriel Boughton
requested for a grant of lands for the Company. The Emperor obliged,
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