In 1611, the daughter of a Persian nobleman and widow of a subversive official, became the 20th and favourite wife of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir. Unique and outstanding for the age in which she lived, Nur Jahan rose to become an astute politician, issuing imperial orders and appearing on coins. But she was also a talented dress designer and innovative architect whose work inspired her stepson's Taj Mahal. 

In this episode of Not Just the Tudors, Professor Suzannah Lipscomb talks to Professor Ruby Lal, author of the deeply researched and evocative biography of Nur Jahan, Empress: The Astonishing Reign of Nur Jahan.

The Senior Producer was Elena Guthrie. It was edited and produced by Rob Weinberg. 

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