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Shah Jahan, earlier named Prince Khurram ascended the
throne in 1627 after the death of his father Jahangir
at the age of 35. He was a very good administrator and
an able successor of the Mughal heritage of justice
and fair play. Endowed with all the qualities required
of a medieval Muslim ruler, he was a brave and competent
commander; a generous master who treated his servants
with respect, dignity and affability; and a far-sighted
leader with a strict sense of justice.
Although an able administrator, Shah Jahan was quite
unsuccessful in his expeditions in the frontier and
his extravagant and grand architectural ventures eventually
led to a financial bankruptcy of the empire, the brunt
of which was solely bore by his son Aurungzeb.
Shah Jahan was an active patron of palaces and mosques.
He renovated the fort of Agra to include three major
courts: Halls of Public and Private Audience (Diwan-i
Khass wa 'Am); an area for treasures and private audience
(Machhi Bhavan); and a residential court known as the
Garden of Grapes (Anguri Bagh).
In 1638, Shah Jahan moved his capital from Agra to
a city in Delhi called Shahjahanabad. He considerably
increased the royal retinue, the state-establishments
and the magnificence of the court. The Peacock throne,
the Taj Mahal, the Agra Fort and numerous other works
of architecture and art testify to his wealth as well
as his aesthetic sense. He was an excellent calligraphist.
His patronage of men of letters and of artisans and
craftsmen was in keeping with the traditions of his
family. Poetry, music, painting, dancing, astronomy,
mathematics and medicine flourished under the generous
and intelligent patronage of the emperor.
In September 1657, Shah Jahan fell ill. The physicians
were not hopeful about his recovery. As soon as the
news of his illness reached his sons they started making
preparations for capturing the throne. In 1658 Aurangzeb
took over & imprisoned his father. Ultimately in
1666 he did in captivity.
Touroftajmahal.com offers valuable information
on Shah Jahan and other details of the Tour to Agra.
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