Decorated manuscript on coloured paper, with eight illustrations in the text, India, late nineteenth century. Single column, 11 lines black informal nasta'liq script, leaves ruled in green, yellow and red, some very slight marginal worming else clean and attractive. In contemporary full red leather boards and spine, ruled in blind, lightly rubbed and scuffed. Some pencil writing on rear free endpaper. Nur-ud-din Mohammad Salim, known by his imperial name Jahangir (1569-1627), was the fourth Mughal Emperor who ruled from 1605 until he died in 1627. Jahangir was the eldest surviving son of Mughal Emperor Akbar and was declared successor to his father from an early age. He was impatient for power he revolted in 1599 while Akbar was engaged in Deccan. Jahangir was defeated but ultimately succeeded his father as Emperor in 1605 due to the immense support and efforts of the ladies in Akbar's harem, like Ruqaiya Sultan Begum and Salima Sultan Begum, and his grandmother Maryam Makani. The ladies wielded considerable influence over Akbar and favoured Jahangir as his successor. The first year of his reign saw a rebellion organised by his eldest son Khusrau Mirza. The uprising was soon put down; Khusrau was brought before his father in chains. After subduing and executing nearly 2000 members of the rebellion, Jahangir blinded his renegade son. Jahangir set a precedent for sons rebelling against their emperor fathers and was much criticised for his alcohol, opium, and women addiction. He thought of allowing his wife, Nur Jahan, too much power, and her continuous plotting at court is considered to have destabilised the imperium in the final years of his rule. The situation developed into an open crisis when his son Khurram, fearing being excluded from the throne, rebelled in 1622. Jahangir's forces chased Khurram and his troops from Fatehpur Siri to the Deccan, Bengal, and Deccan until Khurram surrendered unconditionally in 1626. The rebellion and court intrigues that followed took a heavy toll on Jahangir's health. He died in 1627 and was succeeded by Khurram, who took the imperial throne of Hindustan as Emperor Shah Jahan. Jahangir is considered one of the greatest Mughal Emperors by scholars. Coloured plates in order: 1. The Emperor and the ladies of Court. 2. Siege against Akbar. Fortress Walls, men at arms, etc. 3. Armies fighting alongside a river. 4. Praying before a temple. 5. The Emperor and attendants, viewing the blinding of his Khusrau after his unsuccessful rebellion. 6. Holy Temple. 7. Emperor hunting Elephant. 8. Man struck down by a Tiger. 9. Small illumination.