Contents
Shah Jahan
Commissioning the Taj Mahal and major monuments of the Mughal Empire.
Taj Mahal · Red Fort
- Born
- 15 January 1592
- Birthplace
- Lahore, present-day Pakistan
- Died
- 22 January 1666
More people
Shah Jahan
Mughal emperor from 1628 to 1658 whose reign combined architectural patronage with military expansion. A succession struggle ended with his confinement by his son Aurangzeb.
Early life
Prince Khurram
Born to Prince Salim, later Jahangir, and Jagat Gosain.
Military preparation
Received a princely education and led campaigns before becoming emperor.
Career
- 1610s–1620s
Princely commands
Built his standing through campaigns and struggled for succession.
- 1628–1658
Emperor
Governed the Mughal Empire and commissioned extensive building projects.
- 1658–1666
Confinement
Lost the succession struggle and spent his final years confined in Agra Fort.
Buildings & projects
Taj Mahal
A monumental tomb complex built for Mumtaz Mahal.
Red Fort
The palace-fortress of his new capital at Shahjahanabad.
Jama Masjid
A major congregational mosque in Delhi.
Beyond the throne
Mumtaz Mahal
Her death in 1631 prompted the construction of the Taj Mahal.
Family conflict
His sons’ struggle for power brought imprisonment and the death of several rival princes.
Sources & photo credit
Biography and references ↗Biography and contributions ↗Photo: Bichitr. Public domain · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
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