Shah Jahan: The Golden Era of the Mughal Empire

One of the most successful emperors of the Mughal dynasty, Shah Jahan or Shahab-ud-din Muhammad Khurram, was the son of Jehangir. He was fifth in the line of succession of the Empire, preceded by Jehangir, Akbar, Humayun, and Babur. 

During his reign of 30 years, the Mughal Empire reached its peak. The development and expansion of architecture and arts later earned this period the title of the golden period of the Mughal Empire. He also earned a reputation as a great and effective administrator.

During his rule, he commissioned the construction of monuments like the Taj Mahal and the renowned Peacock Throne. At that time, experts estimated the cost of the throne alone to be millions of sterlings.

He was the founder of Shahjahanabad in Delhi. He also attained the highest union in the Empire with magnificence. 

Who Was Shah Jahan?  

Shah Jahan was born to the fourth Mughal ruler Jehangir in 1592. His grandfather Akbar named him Khurram at birth. The name derives from the Persian language and signifies “joy.” He was born to Jehangir’s second wife, the Rajput princess Jagat Gasain. His father later awarded him the title of Shah Jahan Bahadur for his victories and gallantry in Mewar, Deccan, and Kangra. 

A fortune teller gave Emperor Akbar’s first wife, Ruqaiya Sultan Begum, a prophecy that although she would not have children of her own, she would be tasked with raising the future Emperor.

This became true when Jehangir’s third son was born. Akbar gave the responsibility of raising his favourite grandchild to his first wife. The love and care that she bestowed were so profound that even Jehangir agreed that he and his wife could not love the child as much. 

Khurram received early primary education as deemed fit for princes. He underwent training in martial and cultural arts. Akbar himself taught him skills of warfare and leadership. His foster mother taught him values and morality. Khurram returned to his parents at the age of 13 after the demise of Emperor Akbar.

Family of Shah Jahan 

Here is more about Shah Jahan and his early life. 

Father of Shah Jahan: Jahangir

Shah Jahan (born as Prince Khurram) was the third son of Emperor Jehangir. However, at the time of his birth, Jehangir had not succeeded to the throne and was still Prince Salim. Prince Salim was the only surviving son of Akbar and his favourite wife, Mariam-uz-Zamani. The Father of Shah Jahan was close to his son and had intended to make Shah Jahan the heir apparent. 

Mother of Shah Jahan: Jagat Gosain

Mother of Shah Jahan, Jagat Gosain, also called Manavati Bai, Manmari, Jodh Bai, and Taj Bibi, was a Rajput princess. She was the daughter of Raja Udai Singh and sister to Sawai Raja Sur Singh. Jehangir married her at the age of 16 because of her beauty and intelligence. 

Her courage, presence of mind, and wit also characterized her reputation. They say that Jagat Gosaini, Shah Jahn’s mother, founded the village Sohagpura, dedicated to the production of glass bangles.

Jehangir named her Bilqis Makani after she died in 1619.

Shah Jahan children their role in the Mughal dynasty

Shah Jahan had 4 sons, Dara Shikoh being the eldest. However, the most prominent child of Shah Jahan is Aurungzeb, born to Shah Jahan’s wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Aurungzeb killed his brothers for the throne and later became the Emperor of the Mughal Empire. 

Shah Jahan Wife

Before ascending the throne, Shah Jahan had married two wives. They were called Akbarabadi Mahal and Kandahari Mahal. Yet, he had been engaged to the love of his life before these marriages occurred. Shah Jahan wedded Arjumand Banu Begum, the daughter of a Persian noble, in 1612, and later renamed her Mumtaz Mahal She was 14 at the time of their betrothal and 19 when the marriage took place. 

The Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Relation 

Mumtaz is an essential element in the story of Shah Jahan. Born in 1593 as Arjumand Banu Begum, Mumtaz Mahal belonged to the Persian nobility. She was the niece of Empress Nur Jahan, the chief consort of Jehangir. She was betrothed to Shah Jahan at the age of 14, but they had to wait for 5 years to marry as a fortune teller had predicted that if they did not wait, their marriage would fail. 

The importance of Mumtaz Mahal in Shah Jahan’s life

Mumtaz Mahal became the second wife of Shah Jahan. Shah Jahan and Mumtaz had 14 children, which include the heir apparent, Dara Shikoh and Shah Jahan’s favourite daughter, Jahanara Begum. Later, Dara Shikoh was killed by Mumtaz Mahal’s sixth child, Aurungzeb, who became the sixth emperor. It has been well recorded that Shah Jahan was besotted with Mumtaz Mahal, so much so that he had little to no interest in exercising his rights of a polygamous marriage. 

Shah Jahan and Mumtaz decided on private and state matters together, and he trusted her as an advisor. Mumtaz Mahal followed her predecessor, Nur Jahan, to sit in the Hall of Private Audience and Hall of Public Audience next to the emperor. Along with influencing court decisions, she also patronized various artists and poets. She also commissioned the development of a riverside garden in Agra known as Zahara Bagh. 

Death of Mumtaz

Shah Jahan wife died giving birth to her 14th child, at the age of 38, in Burhanpur. At that time, she was with her husband with his campaign in the Deccan Plateau. After her death, Shah Jahan went into a long mourning period of a year. His daughter, Jahanara Begum, consoled him, prompting him to resume his duties and initiate the design and construction of the Taj Mahal.

Historical Context and Achievements of Shah Jahan  

Shah Jahan’s reign was peaceful and stable. However, towards the end of it, some issues arose throughout the empire. Shah Jahan had proven his abilities with the military even when he was a prince. Because he had such control over the military, he could succeed to the throne even in favour of Nur Jahan. 

Shah Jahan’s accomplishments during his reign

During his reign, he aimed to expand the empire and secure his position. Shah Jahan made alliances with Bagalan, Mewar and Buldelkhand. He waged war against the Bundela Rajputs. The Shah Jahan was also successful in capturing Daulatabad after the imprisonment of Husain Shah. He then went on to capture Kandahar, resulting in the empire reaching beyond the Khyber Pass. 

Shah Jahan’s Contributions to architecture, art, and Culture

One of the most significant architectural marvels is the Taj Mahal. After 22 years of detailed planning and the efforts of over 20,000 artisans and workers, along with immense sacrifices, they built it. Phrases from the Holy Quran have been inscribed onto the monument. After the completion of the monument, Mumtaz Mahal rested in the tomb. Along with the Taj Mahal, Shah Jahan also constructed marvels spread across India and Pakistan. These include Red Fort, Lahore Fort, Jama Masjid, Moti Masjid, Agra Fort, Shalimar Gardens, Takht-e-Taus, etc. 

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Shah Jahan’s Death and Legacy

Shah Jahan had appointed his heir apparent, Dara Shikoh, to temporarily take over his role. This was because of the deteriorating health of the emperor. Immediately after this, Shah Jahan’s children began asking for their provinces. Aurungzeb, the third son of Mumtaz Mahal, raised his army. He defeated his brothers, killed Dara Shikoh, and assumed the throne. 

Later, Shah Jahan recovered his health. However, Aurungzeb declared him unfit to rule and imprisoned him in Agra Fort. Along with his father, he also imprisoned his father’s favourite daughter and his sister, Jahanara Begum. 

It was during his imprisonment that Shah Jahan became ill again. He called his first wife, Akbarabadi Mahal, to his side and asked her to care for his daughter, Jahanara Begum. He spent his last years imprisoned, with the view of the Taj Mahal his only consolation. At the age of 74, Shah Jahan death was in imprisonment. 

Reflection on his contributions to Indian culture and history

After Shah Jahan’s death, Aurungzeb instructed the placement of Shah Jahan in a sandalwood coffin. They brought the coffin to the Taj Mahal through the river and placed it beside his beloved wife. However, it is of note that Shah Jahan never meant to bury anyone under the mausoleum in the Taj Mahal. You can observe this by the asymmetrical placement of his coffin.

On the other hand, Mumtaz rests right at the centre of the mausoleum. 

Conclusion 

Shah Jahan’s reign is notable for his successes in battles across the country. His reign, though a splendid period in terms of architecture and expansion of the empire, later became the starting point of the destruction of the empire. Because of his relentless attempts to expand the empire to the Deccan plateau, the empire was on the verge of bankruptcy. 

Shah Jahan is known as a contemporary of France’s King Louis XIV. He was passionate about architecture and building. The era is recognized as the magnificent period of the royal court, attracting artisans from around the world. It was also a period of great literacy, with calligraphy and painting being promoted.

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