Page "Shah Jahan" Paragraph 13

Inheritance of power and wealth in the Mughal empire was not determined through primogeniture, but by princely sons competing to achieve military successes and consolidating their power at court.

This often led to rebellions and wars of succession.

As a result, a complex political climate surrounded the Mughal court in Shahzada Khurram's formative years.

In 1611 his father married Nur Jahan, the widowed daughter of an Afghan Noble.

She rapidly became an important member of Emperor Jahangir's court and, together with her brother Asaf Khan, wielded considerable influence.

Arjumand was Asaf Khan's daughter and her marriage to Prince Khurram consolidated Nur Jahan and Asaf Khan's positions at court.