MUGHAL EMPEROR SHAH JAHAN (1592 - 1666)
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Shah Jahan was born on 5 January 1592 in Lahore, Pakistan to Prince Salim and his Rajput wife from Marwar Princess Jagat Gosaini.
Prince Salim (father of Shah Jahan) later became Emperor Jahangir.
Shah Jahan was educated in martial arts and a variety of fine arts. He was brought up chiefly by Akbar’s first wife, the childless Empress Ruqaiya Sultan Begum.
He was able to obtain the submission of the Rajput state of Mewar.
Before becoming king, as prince, he had been the governor of the Deccan, Bihar, Bengal, Gujarat and Delhi.
As king, Shah Jahan expanded the military and promoted the production of arms.
He was married multiple times & his favourite was said to be Arjumand Banu Begum who is better known as Mumtaz Mahal.
She died during childbirth in 1631 and Shah Jahan got the Taj Mahal built in her honour.
He also created many other architecture including the Pearl Mosque at Agra, the Red Fort, the Jama Masjid at Delhi, the Shalimar Gardens.
He also got the famous Peacock Throne built.
Dara Shikoh was the heir apparent and the emperor’s favoured as his successor, Aurangzeb defeated and killed him in the succession struggle.
Aurangzeb started ruling the empire and put Shah Jahan under house arrest at the Agra Fort.
He was confined to the fort for 8 years and he was accompanied and nursed by his daughter Jahanara Begum.
He died on 22 January 1666 aged 74 years.
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