Jahangir was the son of many prayers. Akbar wanted a heir to succeed him, he not only prayed to God but also begged of the blessings of saints to have a son. All previous children of the emperor having died in their infancy, ultimately, a son was born in August, 1569, and he was named Muhammad Saleem. It was as a result of the blessings of the famous Sheikh Saleem Chishti that he was blessed with a son and named him after the saint Muhammad Sultan Saleem, but Akbar used to call Saleem by nick name of Sheikho Baba.
The child was brought up with utmost care and affection. Akbar paid full attention to the education of Saleem and placd him under the guardianship of the best scholars and tutors of the age.Saleem learnt Turki, Hindi, Geography, arithmetics and other important sciences from his teachers.
Saleem was married to Man Bai at the age of 15, apart from that Saleem kept some eight hundred women in his harem. Saleem developed great love for wine and other sensual pleasures at an early age. This was not liked by Akbar and he tried to mend the young prince but without much success.
The lose character of Saleem was a cause of great concern to Akbar but the young prince was not willing to pay any heed to Akbar’s advice. In 1599, when Akbar left for the Deccan expedition, he directed Saleem to attack Rana Amar Singh of Mewar. Instead of complying with the directions of Akbar, Saleem utilized the occasion to raise a banner of revolt. Saleem had declared his independence and set up court at Allahabad. Akbar rushed back to Agra and crushed the revolt.
Jahangir succeeded to the throne on November,1605,on the eight day of Akbar’s death. Soon after accession to the throne Jahangir proceeded to issue a proclaimation of his policy in the shape of twelve rules of conduct ( Dastur_ul- Amal ). These rules or instructions were as follow.
Prohibition of Cesses ( Zakat )
Regulations about Highway Robbery and Theft
Free Inheritance of Property of Deceased persons
Prohibition of Wine and all kinds of Intoxicating Liquors
Prohibition of the Taking Possession of the Houses and cutting the Noses and Ears of the criminals.
Prohibition of Ghasbi
Building of Hospitals and Appointment of Physicians to attend the Sick
Prohibiting Slaughter of Animals
Respect paid to Sunday
General Confirmation of Mnsabs and Jagirs
Confirmation of aima Lands
Amnesty for all Prisoners