Given the precarious political connections of Sher Afghan before his death, his family was in great danger and therefore for her own protection, Mehr-un-Nissa needed to be at the court in Agra. Ruqaiya, having been the late emperor Akbar's principal wife and being the most senior woman in the harem, was by stature and ability, the most capable of providing the protection that Mehr-un-Nissa needed at the Mughal court.[22]
Mehr-un-Nissa and her daughter, Ladli Begum, served as ladies-in-waiting to the Empress for four years while earnestly endeavoring to please their imperial mistress.[21] The relationship that grew up between Ruqaiya and Mehr-un-Nissa during this time appears to have been an extremely tender one which remained so until Ruqaiya's death in 1626. The Dutch merchant, Pieter van den Broecke said: "This Begum [Ruqaiya] conceived a great affection for Mehr-un-Nissa; she loved her more than others and always kept her in her compan