The Mughal Empire - Shah Jehan

After the death of Jehangir, there was a power struggle amongst the sons of Jehangir, in which Shah Jehan emerged as the emperor. Shah Jehan was in South India at the time of his father's death and speedily rushed to the north and proclaimed himself the emperor. Shah Jehan had a fairly stable rule, with a few rebellions and conquests from which he emerged largely successful. He was able to expand the Mughal territories deep into the South. However, in some areas like the North West Frontier, the Mughal army was defeated repeatedly which lowered the prestige of the Mughal Empire. Shah Jehan's reign was a return to that of the great Mughal kings like Babur and Akbar. An able military commander and man of tremendous cultural ambition. Shah Jehan is perhaps best remembered as being the best builder of the Mughal period, creating some of the finest structures, which blended the distinct Indian and Persian styles into a coherent whole. His most famous building is the mausoleum he made for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, which is called the Taj Mahal.

Shah Jehan reign is described by many to be the golden age of the Mughal Empire, when the empire reached its climax. The empire prospered under his rule and was faced with very few external or internal threats, although the European influence was slowly beginning to increase, a fact that was tragically overlooked. The empire possessed a gentle and fair emperor, who could also be a strong,severe conqueror if the situation demanded. Shah Jehan was an able soldier as well as a fine administrator. He cared tremendously for the welfare of his people, and helped them out during a severe famine that struck during his rule. Shah Jehan was a strong believer in his religion, Islam, and took steps to promote it amongst the people. He was a loving father and a devoted husband. He married Mumtaz Mahal in 1612, with whom he had a happily married life for nineteen years. The two were a perfect couple, remaining close friends and confidants. Her death in 1631 devastated him, and to leave a lasting tribute to her, Shah Jehan built the exquisite Taj Mahal on her grave.

Shah Jehans reign while it lasted was a glorious period of the Mughal empire. However cracks had begun appearing, his policies of massive building had drained the resources of the state, which seriously threatened the empire. The military and administrative system grew weaker and weaker through his rule. The Mughal empire reached its height during his reign and then began a steady decline. Shah Jehan's last years were spent in shame and humiliation. Shah Jehan fell seriously ill in 1657, and a power struggle took place between his sons, with Aurangzeb after ruthlessly defeating his brothers, emerged successful and marched to the capital. Aurangzeb then imprisoned his father, extinguishing Shah Jehan's plan for one last great building, a mausoleum for himself, designed like the Taj but in black. Shah Jehan would die a dejected and saddened man.

After the death of Jehangir, there was a power struggle amongst the sons of Jehangir, in which Shah Jehan emerged as the emperor. Shah Jehan was in South India at the time of his father's death and speedily rushed to the north and proclaimed himself the emperor. Shah Jehan had a fairly stable rule, with a few rebellions and conquests from which he emerged largely successful. He was able to expand the Mughal territories deep into the South. However, in some areas like the North West Frontier, the Mughal army was defeated repeatedly which lowered the prestige of the Mughal Empire. Shah Jehan's reign was a return to that of the great Mughal kings like Babur and Akbar. An able military commander and man of tremendous cultural ambition. Shah Jehan is perhaps best remembered as being the best builder of the Mughal period, creating some of the finest structures, which blended the distinct Indian and Persian styles into a coherent whole. His most famous building is the mausoleum he made for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, which is called the Taj Mahal.

Shah Jehan reign is described by many to be the golden age of the Mughal Empire, when the empire reached its climax. The empire prospered under his rule and was faced with very few external or internal threats, although the European influence was slowly beginning to increase, a fact that was tragically overlooked. The empire possessed a gentle and fair emperor, who could also be a strong,severe conqueror if the situation demanded. Shah Jehan was an able soldier as well as a fine administrator. He cared tremendously for the welfare of his people, and helped them out during a severe famine that struck during his rule. Shah Jehan was a strong believer in his religion, Islam, and took steps to promote it amongst the people. He was a loving father and a devoted husband. He married Mumtaz Mahal in 1612, with whom he had a happily married life for nineteen years. The two were a perfect couple, remaining close friends and confidants. Her death in 1631 devastated him, and to leave a lasting tribute to her, Shah Jehan built the exquisite Taj Mahal on her grave.

Shah Jehans reign while it lasted was a glorious period of the Mughal empire. However cracks had begun appearing, his policies of massive building had drained the resources of the state, which seriously threatened the empire. The military and administrative system grew weaker and weaker through his rule. The Mughal empire reached its height during his reign and then began a steady decline. Shah Jehan's last years were spent in shame and humiliation. Shah Jehan fell seriously ill in 1657, and a power struggle took place between his sons, with Aurangzeb after ruthlessly defeating his brothers, emerged successful and marched to the capital. Aurangzeb then imprisoned his father, extinguishing Shah Jehan's plan for one last great building, a mausoleum for himself, designed like the Taj but in black. Shah Jehan would die a dejected and saddened man.