Shah Jahan was one of the renowned Mughal Emperors who built the Red Fort in Delhi and ruled over Hindustan from 1628-to 1658. The full name of Shah Jahan was Shihab Al-Din-Muhammad Khurram, popularly known as Prince Khurram or Shah Jehan.
He was the third son of Emperor Jahangir and Queen Manmati. Born in the year 1592, this young prince has always been ambitious and wanted to succeed on the throne of Delhi.
After the death of his father, with the help of Asaf Khan, this zealous prince was successful in claiming the throne.
Real photo of Shah Jahan
Who built Red Fort in Delhi
Shah Jahan established the famous Red Fort or Lal Quila of Delhi in the 17th century when he shifted his capital from Agra to Delhi or what he called Shahjahanabad.
Situated on the banks of Yamuna this massive fort got its name from the material it is made up of red sandstone. The fort took ten years to complete, from 1638 to 1648.
The important architectural remnants of this fort are:
- Lahori gate: The main entrance of the fort
- Delhi gate: Another gate that lies on the Southern public entrance
- Meena Bazaar: Adjacent to Lahori gate, there was a public bazaar, where different luxurious items like silk, jewellery, and spices were sold. It was also called the Chatta Chowk (roofed bazaar).
- Naubat Khana: In Persian, Naubat Khana means ‘waiting hall’. It is said that different arts like music and dance were performed here.
- Diwan-i-Aam: A common hall for the public audiences
- Diwan-i-Khas: A room where the Emperor has secret meetings with his nobles
- Khas Mahal: This private palace belonged to the Emperor
- Mumtaz Mahal: A residential private palace for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal
- There are several other constructions like the Moti Masjid by Aurangzeb, luxuriant gardens, and quarters for the nobles and servants.
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Which ruler first established his capital at Delhi? – Ananga Pala
Rule and annexation of Shah Jahan
The era of Jahangir was peaceful but there were certain challenges the empire kept experiencing during his reign.
Shah Jahan took the entire matter into his hands. He put up an act of Islamic rebellion in Ahmednagar (presently in Maharashtra), imposed a tax on the Portuguese who came to trade in Bengal, captured the Rajput kingdom of Bundelkhand, and Mewar on the West to Khyber Pass, beyond north-west.
During his reign, the entire empire ran on a centralized and systemic administration. His military grew fourfold, however, the taxation on people was heavy.
The emperor possessed immense wealth. He owned an exquisite Peacock throne studded with rubies, sapphires, emeralds, and diamonds. European travelers came all the way to India to see the Peacock Throne of Shah Jahan.
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Shah Jahan Regency
Shah Jahan converted the empire into a well-oiled huge military machine.
There is a record that he had an army consisting of around 9 lakh infantry, artillerymen, and around 2 lakh Sowars (cavalrymen) led by princes and nobles.
He took great steps in the field of commerce, trade, and industry due to which there was stability all over. The entire empire ran on a centralized and systemic administration.
He was also a great pioneer of art. The Emperor welcomed the best of artisans, craftsmen, painters, and poets to his court. It is believed that during Shah Jahan’s time, Hindustan had the highest GDP in the world.
How many wives did Shah Jahan have?
Kandahari Mahal, Akbarabadi Mahal, Mumtaz Mahal, Fatehpuri Mahal and Mukti Begum: all were Shah Jahan spouse. The juvenile emperor married Mumtaz Mahal (Arjumand Banu Begum) at the age of 20.
Kandahari Begum was a Persian Princess and Shah Jahan’s first wife. A few years later he married Akbarabadi Mahal and Muti Begum and they were the ‘royal wives’ (married for political and annexation reasons).
He later married his daughter Jahanara Begum after the death of Mumtaz Mahal.
Shah Jahan Children
The children of Shah Jahan go by the names: Aurangazeb, Jahanara Begum, Gauhara Begum, Shah Shuja, Dara Shukoh, Parhez Banu Begum, and Murad Baksh. Shah Jahan’s son, Aurangzeb imprisoned him and captured the throne of Shahjahanabad (present Delhi).
Also Read: The glory of Chandni Chowk
About Shahjahanabad
The Mughals had a fairly long association with Delhi, also it had a great political and cultural significance which made the shift of capital from Agra to Delhi.
The ‘City of Gold’ took 9 long years to be built. The entire city of Shahjahanabad was beautifully organized, with the river Yamuna flowing behind the Red Fort and a canal flowing between the city.
The city was planned well enough. The palaces of the Royals within the Fort, the main city bazaar which is now the Chandni Chowk, the Jama Masjid, and the Fatehpuri Masjid were two important congregation mosques at that time showing a perfect neighbourhood plan.
It is said that a canal would flow in between the two facades of the city. The moon got reflected into the water and that is how the area was called Chandni Chowk (Chandi: moonlight, Chowk: Bazaar).
The noblemen used to stay in Havelis (mansions) along the banks of Yamuna.
If you ever visit Delhi, do visit Chandni Chowk and you will get a glimpse of how Shahjahanabad thrived.
Other architectural wonders by Shah Jahan
Shah Jahan was the true pioneer of architecture, his crowning achievement being The Taj Mahal.
Taj Mahal: The love story of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz spread far and near when people got to know about this white mausoleum constructed on the banks of River Yamuna.
Taj Mahal has been declared the 7th wonder of the world by UNESCO.
The beautiful mausoleum made out of ivory and marble was for Mumtaz Mahal, the beloved wife of the emperor who died due to childbirth complications.
Architect: Ustad Ahmed Louri.
Jama Masjid: The masjid with tall minarets and one big dome which accommodates around 25000 people at one time was an exclusive monument. Also known as Masjid-i-Jahannuma.
Agra Fort: Previously the capital of Shah Jahan’s empire was in Agra. He built the Jama Masjid and Moti Masjid in Agra Fort.
Conclusion
Under the reign of Shah Jahan, the Mughal Empire reached at its full peak of glory. His annexations, plan of building an organised capital city and his impeccable taste in architecture makes him a significant ruler of his time.