Reimagining Nur Jahan: Young Adult Fictional Diary, Historical Memoir, and Feminist Historiography

Abstract

This paper critically examines the adolescent portrayal of Nur Jahan by comparing Deepa Agarwal’s young adult (YA) fictional diary with historical reconstructions by Ira Mukhoty and Ruby Lal, alongside Emperor Jahangir’s memoirs. Through the lens of feminist historiography and narrative theory, the study explores how differing genres—fictional diary, feminist biography, and imperial memoir—construct girlhood, agency, and political subjectivity. Drawing on theoretical insights from Gerda Lerner, Joan Scott, Michael Cart, and Rebellino, it interrogates the ideological frameworks that shape representations of historical women. A qualitative, comparative textual analysis reveals that Agarwal’s diary employs YA conventions such as emotional immediacy and introspective narration to craft a relatable and aspirational young Nur Jahan. Mukhoty and Lal, meanwhile, recover her political presence through feminist historiographical strategies that work against archival silences. Jahangir’s memoirs, steeped in patriarchal imperial discourse, acknowledge her public authority but obscure her inner life. The analysis underscores how each narrative positions Nur Jahan differently—through erasure, recovery, or reimagination—thereby revealing the complex intersections of genre, ideology, and historical memory. By tracing these variations, the paper contributes to gender studies, Mughal historiography, and YA literary scholarship, demonstrating how fictional forms can both challenge and enrich historical narratives.
Paper Type: Research Paper.