Sher Afgan Khan
Ali Quli Istajlu, also known by his later, given name of Sher Afgan Khan (Persian: شيرافگن خان) was a Turkoman who initially served the Safavids, and later became a Mughal courtier, becoming the jagirdar of Burdwan in West Bengal (1605–1607). He was also the first husband of Nur Jahan (Mehrunissa), who later married Jahangir after Ali Quli Khan's death and became Empress of India and the power behind the emperor.
Sher Afgan Khan | |
|---|---|
| Jagirdar of Badh-e-Dewan | |
| In office 1605–1607 | |
| Monarch | Jahangir |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Ali Quli Istajlu Safavid Empire (modern-day Iran) |
| Died | 1607 Badh-e-Dewan, Bengal Subah, Mughal Empire |
| Resting place | Raiganj, Bardhaman, West Bengal |
| Spouse | Nur Jahan |
| Children | Mihr-un-nissa Begum |
| Relatives | Shahryar Mirza (son-in-law) |
He was given the title Sher Afgan Khan ("tiger grappler") by Prince Salim, Jahangir after his meritorious actions during a war with the Rana of Mewar. Ali Quli Khan Istajlu was educated under the instructions of Shah Ismail II of the Safavid dynasty in Iran. Like his wife, Sher Afgan was also an immigrant from Persia, who fled from Iran to Kandahar, then in India.
He was the father of a daughter called Mihr-un-nissa Begum, after she married Prince Shahryar, the fifth and youngest son of Jahangir and rival to Shah Jahan.