Year 2 - History
Nūr Jahān's journey to becoming Emperor Jahāngīr's wife
Ruling and religion
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
Stories about significant rulers from the past give students an understanding of key ideas related to early rulers, such as struggles for power and religious influence. They learn about specific rulers from different times and places, helping students build a chronological framework.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explain how Mehr al-Nesā came to be known as Nūr Jahān.
Key Notes
- Growing up in India, Mehr al-Nesā married a Mughal official and together they had a baby daughter.
- However, her husband was killed after an argument with the local governor, and Mehr al-Nesā became a widow.
- At this time, widows were welcomed to the Mughal Emperor's court to keep his wives company.
- The emperor, Jahāngīr, had nineteen wives; when he saw Mehr al-Nesā he fell in love with her straight away.
- They married and she was given a new title, Nūr Jahān (Light of the World), and became his favourite wife.
Vocabulary To Learn
- official: an official is someone who works for someone important like the Mughal Emperor
- widow: when someone becomes a widow, it means their husband or wife has died
- court: a court is a place where the emperor would gather and make decisions about the empire
- title: a person's title is a word such as ' Sir', ' Lord', or ' Lady' that is used in front of their name, or a phrase that is used instead of their name
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils may be confused by the emperor having 20 wives.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Summarise this historical learning in two key ideas.
Growing up in India, Mehr al-Nesā married a Mughal official and together they had a baby daughter. However, her husband was killed after an argument with the local governor, and Mehr al-Nesā became a widow.
2. Define this history term and explain why it matters in this topic. 'official'
an official is someone who works for someone important like the Mughal Emperor.
3. Correct this common history misconception using evidence language.
Mistake: Pupils may be confused by the emperor having 20 wives. Correction: Explain to pupils that in some countries and some religions you can marry multiple people. However today in the UK, it is illegal to marry more than one person.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Eleanor and the Second Crusade Study Guide
- Eleanor, Duchess of Aquitaine Study Guide
- Eleanor, Queen of England Study Guide
- Elizabeth I - the queen who did not marry Study Guide
- Mansa Musa and the Hajj Study Guide
- Mansa Musa and Timbuktu Study Guide
- Mansa Musa of Mali Study Guide
- Nūr Jahān, wielder of the imperial seal Study Guide
- Queen Elizabeth and the Spanish Armada Study Guide
- The birth of Nūr Jahān, 'sun among women' Study Guide
- The half-sisters Elizabeth and Mary Study Guide
Browse all guides in the Year 2 History guide library.