The Mughal Age was an age of development in almost every field including the economy. The growing importance of trade and commerce and politics led to the construction of a network of roads that connected places of commercial and political interests. Along the sides of these roads, shady trees were planted, wells dug out and resting places for travelers called serais were constructed.
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The serai was constructed on the orders of Noor Jahan under the supervision of Zakariya Khan in 1618AD, then Governor of the Doab. Nurmahal got its name from Noor Jahan, who is said to have been brought up here.
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Over the entrance to the gateway is an inscription. The inscription written in four rhyming verses reads as follows :
1. During the just rule of Jahangir Shah, son of Akbar Shah, whose neither heaven nor earth remembers.
2. The Nur Saray was founded in the district of Phalor by the command of that angel, Nur Jahan Begam.
3. The poet happily discovered the date of its foundation: this Saray was founded by Nur Jahan Begam in 1028.
4. Knowledge of the date of its completion was found in the words: "This Serai was erected by Nur Jahan Begam"
There were plenty of rooms, the Emperor's quarters, a well, and a mosque inside the serai area. Jahangir mentions this serai in his memoirs when he says:
“...I took up my quarters in Nur-Saray. At this spot, the Vakils of Nur Jahan Begam had built a lofty house and made a royal garden. It was now completed. On this account the Begam, having begged for entertainment, prepared a grand feast, and by the way of offering, with great pains produced all kinds of delicate and rare things. In order to please her I took what I approved. I halted two days at this place.”
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