40 Facts About Shah Jahan

Here are 40 detailed facts about Shah Jahan, the Mughal emperor best known for commissioning the Taj Mahal:

Birth Name: Shah Jahan was born as Prince Khurram on January 5, 1592.
Father: He was the son of Emperor Jahangir.
Mother: His mother was Jagat Gosaini, a Rajput princess from Marwar.
Dynasty: He belonged to the Mughal dynasty, which was of Turco-Mongol origin.
Grandfather: His grandfather was the famous Emperor Akbar.
Wife: He married Mumtaz Mahal (originally Arjumand Banu Begum), who was his favorite wife.
Marriage Year: They married in 1612.
Children: Shah Jahan had 14 children, including Aurangzeb, Dara Shikoh, and Jahanara Begum.
Love for Mumtaz: Mumtaz died in 1631 during childbirth. Her death deeply affected him.
Title: “Shah Jahan” means “King of the World” in Persian.

Reign Period: He ruled from 1628 to 1658.
Accession: He ascended the throne after a brief war of succession following Jahangir’s death.
Capital: He shifted the capital from Agra to Shahjahanabad (modern-day Old Delhi).
Red Fort: He commissioned the Red Fort in Delhi as his imperial palace.
Delhi’s Jama Masjid: One of the largest mosques in India, also built under his reign.
Deccan Campaigns: He launched successful military campaigns in the Deccan.
Architectural Patronage: His reign is known as the Golden Age of Mughal architecture.
Peace & Prosperity: His early reign was marked by stability and prosperity.
Justice System: He was known for being a strict administrator, ensuring law and order.
Religious Tolerance: Although a Muslim ruler, he maintained relative religious tolerance, unlike his son Aurangzeb.

Taj Mahal: Built in memory of Mumtaz Mahal; located in Agra.
Construction Period: The Taj Mahal was constructed between 1632 and 1653.
Taj Mahal Artisans: Involved artisans from across Asia – India, Persia, and the Ottoman Empire.
Other Works: Also built Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque) in Agra and Lahore.
Shalimar Gardens: Developed and expanded these gardens in Lahore.
Wazir Khan Mosque: Commissioned during his rule in Lahore.
White Marble: He favored white marble in architecture, setting a trend for future Mughal structures.
Minaret Designs: Introduced more delicate and graceful minarets compared to earlier Mughals.

Illness: He fell seriously ill in 1657, leading to a war of succession among his sons.
Aurangzeb’s Seizure: His son Aurangzeb deposed him in 1658 and confined him.
Imprisonment: He was imprisoned in Agra Fort for 8 years.
View of the Taj: His cell had a view of the Taj Mahal, where his beloved wife was buried.
Death: Shah Jahan died on January 22, 1666.
Burial Place: He was buried beside Mumtaz Mahal in the Taj Mahal.

Architectural Genius: His reign is considered the zenith of Mughal architecture.
Economic Growth: India’s economy was one of the richest in the world during his rule.
Coins: Issued beautifully designed gold and silver coins with Persian inscriptions.
Cultural Flourishing: Promoted Persian culture, poetry, and fine arts.
Mughal Grandeur: He expanded Mughal influence both territorially and culturally.
Romantic Symbol: Today, the Taj Mahal stands as a global symbol of eternal love.