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Orginally known as Dhameri, 66-km from
Dharamsala and 24-km from
Pathankot, it was renamed by the Emperor Jehangir, son of the Great Moghul
Jalal-Ud-Din Mohammad Akbar.
For years, Akbar yearned for a son from the empress Jodha bai, at the
advice of his religious mentors, he travelled to the Ziarat of Sheikh
Salim Chisti near Fatehpur Sikri and both the Emperor and Empress begged
to the be granted a son. Their prayers were answered and the prince was
born. He was named after the saint, Nur-ud-Salim, and took the title
Jehangir on assuming the throne.
Jehangir's eye fell on the beauteous wife of Sher Afghan, the lovely
Mehrun-Nissa; the hapless husband was sent to the wars and certain death
and Jehargir spent years to win the love of the winsome widow who would
have nothing to do with him. She finally relented and the happy monarch
named her, first, Nur Mahal, "Light of the palace" and later
raised it to Nur Jehan, "Light of the World".
The lovely town of Nurpur was named not only after her, following the
conquest of the area, but also to reflect the glory of his favourite
queen. Here is an old fort built by Raja Basu one thousand years ago. The
Nurpur fort is now in its ruins but still has some finely carved reliefs.
A ruined Krishna Temple, also finely carved, stands within the fort.
Famous for its hand made textiles a great beauty in design, Nurpur also
makes 'pashmina' shawls, which are renowned all over the state but,
unfortunately little known outside. From Nurpur one can travel straight
eastwards to Dharmasala via
Kotla.