Born Prince Salim, Jahangir was early marked for the succession by his father, Akbar. Impatient for power, however, he revolted in 1599 while Akbar was engaged in the Deccan. Akbar on his deathbed confirmed Jahangir as his successor.

Jahangir continued his father's traditions. A war with the Rajput principality of Mewar was ended in 1614 on generous terms. Campaigns against Ahmadnagar, initiated under Akbar's rule, were continued fitfully, with Mughal arms and diplomacy often thwarted by the able Habshi, Malik 'Ambar. In 1617 and 1621, however, Prince Khurram (later Shah Jahan;) concluded apparently victorious peaces. Jahangir, like his father, was not a strict Sunnite Muslim; he allowed, for example, the Jesuits to dispute publicly with Muslim ulama (theologians) and to make converts.

After 1611 Jahangir accepted the influence of his Persian wife, Mehr on-Nesa' (Nur Jahan); her father, I'timad-ud-Dawlah; and her brother Asaf Khan. Together with Prince Khurram, this clique dominated politics until 1622. Thereafter, Jahangir's declining years were darkened by a breach between Nur Jahan and Prince Khurram, who rebelled openly between 1622 and 1625. In 1626 Jahangir was temporarily placed under duress by Mahabat Khan, another rival of Nur Jahan's group. Jahangir died while traveling from Kashmir to Lahore.

A heavy drinker and opium eater (until excess taught him comparative moderation), Jahangir encouraged Persian culture in Mughal India. He possessed a sensitivity to nature, acute perception of human character, and artistic sensibility, which expressed itself in an unmatched patronage of painting.