4 centuries ago, a Muslim woman ruled an empire.

Between 1611, when she became the 20th final and favourite wife of the move where Emperor

Jahangir, to 1627 when Jahangir died, Empress Nurjahan exercised to position never before

filled by a woman, true Kosoffrin.

She was the first Murghawomen to issue orders in her own right, signed in her own name.

She championed social justice, she commanded troops, and she did something that only an

emperor was allowed to do in 17th century India, she hunted tigers.

Her name meant lighter the world, and it was given to her by her husband, who himself

had gone from his birth name of Prince Salim to his imperial title Jahangir.

Even Nurjah's Persian parents had given her a name that meant son of women.

Written out by official historians to Jahangir's vengeful successor, Emperor Shah Jahan,

and generations of colonialists and nationalist scholars, this remarkable ruling woman has

been properly restored to history by today's guest, Professor Ruby Lah.

Ruby Lah is Professor of South Asian History at Emory University, and the author of three

acclaimed books, including her wonderful biography, Empress, the astonishing reign of Nurjahan

published by W. W. Norton and Company.

Professor Lah, thank you so much for making the time to join us, to talk about this superb

book, this amazing research that you've done on Nurjahan.

We're going to be talking about a woman who would become Empress, who would be named

Light of the World, which is what Nurjahan means.

But she was born in rather different circumstances.

In modern day, Afghanistan, to Persian parents fleeing to India, can you tell us a bit about

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