DltlLHI. 
61 
cast aside for that of Neur-Mahal, Light of the 
Harem. From that day forth all other favourites 
vanished from before her ; and, during the remainder 
of Jehanghir s reign, she bore the chief sway in all 
the affairs of the empire. 
The wonderful influence of Neur-Mahal was first 
evinced in the immediate advancement of her family. 
Her father, Etimaun-ud-Dowla, formerly Khaja 
Aias, who had been high-treasurer in the reign of 
Akbur, was now raised to the office of absolute 
vizier of the empire. Her two brothers were made 
nobles of the highest rank ; and all her numerous 
relations, who poured into the court from Tartary, 
upon hearing of the good-fortune of their kinswoman, 
were advanced to offices of honour and emolument. 
All whose cause she espoused were sure of promo- 
tion. According to her pleasure, they were provided 
with present power and wealth, or the means of 
attaining rank and influence by their abilities and 
exertions. Her father became a great and excellent 
minister, and his name is highly revered at this day. 
When, after several years of talented and successful 
administration of the affairs of the state, he was 
gathered to his fathers a. d. 1618, he was interred at 
Agra, and his daughter raised a splendid mausoleum 
in honourable commemoration of his many virtues. 
The historian Abul Fazil relates of her, as a proof 
of her great affection for her father, that in order 
worthily to perpetuate his memory, she had given 
G 
