The correct option is (a).
Explanation
Nur Jahan, the wife of Emperor Jahangir, held unprecedented political power and influence during his reign. She is the only Mughal empress to have had coinage struck in her name and to issue royal orders (farmans). Her farmans serve as historical evidence of her elevated status as a co-sovereign.
Statement-wise Analysis:
- Statement 1 is Correct: In her farmans, Nur Jahan used titles that reflected her supreme status. The square seal on her farmans explicitly states: "Command of her most Sublime and Elevated Majesty Nur Jahan Padshah Begum". The title "Padshah Begum" signifies her position as the chief consort and a figure of imperial authority.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: The title "Shadow of God" (Zill-i-Ilahi) was exclusively reserved for the Mughal Emperor (in this case, Jahangir) to assert the divine origin of his kingship. Nur Jahan’s seals described her authority as being derived from the Emperor (likening him to the sun and herself to the moon), rather than claiming the Emperor's divine title for herself.
- Statement 3 is Incorrect: The farman explicitly acknowledges Emperor Jahangir. The round seal on the document typically bears the inscription: "By the sun of Shah Jahangir she became as brilliant as the moon; may Nur Jahan Padshah be the lady of the age." This demonstrates that while she exercised power, her legitimacy was textually linked to the Emperor.
Key Takeaway:
Nur Jahan was the only Mughal empress allowed to issue farmans and have coins struck in her name, bearing the title "Padshah Begum", though her authority was symbolically linked to Emperor Jahangir.