1. Early Life of Shah Jahan
2. Reign of Shah Jahan
3. Military Campaigns
4. Administration
5. Relation with Deccan Sultanates
6. Relation with Safavid Dynasty
7. Relation with Ottoman Empire
8. War with the Portuguese
9. Shah Jahan’s Policies
9.1. Religious and Language Tolerance
9.2. Reforms Introduced
10. Deccan Policy of Shah Jahan
11. Contribution to Architecture
12. Death and Legacy
13. War of Succession by Shahjahan’s Sons
13.1. Battle of Samugarh
13.2. After Battle of Samugarh
13.3. Dara Shikoh: Intellectual Pursuit and Arts
14. Conclusion
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Topic – Shah Jahan (Notes)
Subject – History
(Early Medieval Indian History)
Table of Contents
Shihab al-Din Muhammad Khurram (5 January 1592 – 22 January 1666), also known as Shah Jahan, was the fifth Mughal Emperor, reigning from January 1628 to July 1658. In 1612, he married Arjumand Banu Begum, the niece of Jahangir’s wife Nur Jahan, and became a member of the influential Nur Jahan clique during Jahangir’s reign as Prince Khurram. The Mughals reached the pinnacle of their architectural and cultural achievements during his reign.
Early Life of Shah Jahan
- Shah Jahan was born in Lahore, Pakistan, to Prince Salim (later Emperor Jahangir) and his Rajput wife from Marwar, Princess Jagat Gosaini. Bilqis Makani was her Mughal name.
- Akbar, the Mughal Emperor, was Shah Jahan’s grandfather.
- Although he was born Prince Khurram, he later assumed the regnal name Shah Jahan. He was Jahangir’s third son and was regarded as the most capable and competent ruler.
- Following Jahangir’s death, he overthrew his rivals for the throne and emerged victorious. On February 14, 1628, he was crowned in Agra.
- He was trained in martial arts and a variety of fine arts. He was primarily raised by Akbar’s first wife, the childless Empress Ruqaiya Sultan Begum.
Reign of Shah Jahan
- Shah Jahan was a capable military commander. While still a prince, he was able to obtain the submission of the Rajput state of Mewar, which Akbar had been unable to defeat. Mewar was then made a vassal of the Mughal Empire.
- When Shah Jahan became Emperor, he executed many of his former rivals, including his own brother Shahryar, imprisoned many more, and consolidated his power.
- The Mughal rules of succession do not follow primogeniture, i.e., the eldest son succeeding the father; upon the death of a ruler, there is always a fight for power among brothers in the Mughal courts.
- Before becoming king, he served as governor of the Deccan, Bihar, Bengal, Gujarat, and Delhi as a prince.
- Shah Jahan expanded the military and promoted the production of arms as king. He annexed several territories.
- As was customary, Shah Jahan married several times. His favourite was said to be Arjumand Banu Begum, better known as Mumtaz Mahal. She died in childbirth in 1631, and Shah Jahan was said to be depressed.
- He had the Taj Mahal built in her honour, and he is perhaps most famous for this architectural feat.
- He also designed the Pearl Mosque in Agra, the Red Fort, the Jama Masjid in Delhi, the Shalimar Gardens, and several other buildings in modern Pakistan. He also had the famous Peacock Throne built.
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