 However, Mumtaz took no interest in affairs of state and Nur Jahan is therefore unique in the annals of the Mughal Empire for the political influence she wielded.The royal harem played an important role in the history of Safavid Persia.In the early Safavid period, young princes were placed in the care of a "lala" (high-ranking Qizilbash chief who acted as a guardian) and eventually given charge of important governorates.