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Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan was the grandson of Emperor Akbar of Agra. He was born on 5th January, 1592 A.D. at Lahore. His earlier name was Khurram. His father’s name was Jahangir, the son of Emperor Akbar and mother was Jodh Bai, a Hindu Princess. Shahjahan was the fifth Mughal Emperor who built the Taj Mahal, one of the most beautiful monuments of the world. Lets take a tour to the history of the life of this great Emperor.
Shah Jahan was the Prince of Agra when he got married with Mumtaz Mahal. This Mughal Emperor was a great military general who won many battles when he was a prince. His efforts and success declared him as the Mughal Emperor of India. He was entitled as Shah Jahan Bahadur meaning the 'Lord of the World'.
Birth: 1592 A.D.
Death: 1666 A.D.
Reign of the Emperor of the Taj (1628 A.D-1658 A.D.): Emperor Shah Jahan became the Emperor of India in February 1628 A.D after the death of his father Jahangir. He had a battle against his father which he fought with the help of his father-in-law Asaf Khan (Mumtaz Mahal’s father). He came to power at the age of 36 and he had assassinated his brothers Khusrau and Parwiz along with other desirous of the throne. Asaf Khan was made the Prime Minister later on. He moved the court from Agra to Delhi in 1640 A.D where he built the new capital Shahjahanabad which is Delhi of this age.
Shah Jahan’s Interests: Emperor Shah Jahan was interested in various architectures, palaces, huge monuments, paintings and art. He made the magnificent buildings like the Red Fort (Agra Fort), Jama Masjid, Moti Majid in Agra Fort, Taj Mahal and also the Peacock throne. He redesigned the Imperial apartments in Kabul at the age of 15. He enjoyed Hindu music and poetry.
Shah Jahan’s Family Members: Shah Jahan belonged to the Mughal family of Babur. He was the grandson of the great Mughal Emperor Akbar and the son of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir and his Empress Manmati (Jodh Bai - not to be confused with Jodha Bai). He had four wives namely Kandahari Begum, Akbarabadi Begum (also named as Sirhindi Begum), Fatehpuri Begum and Mumtaz Mahal. Mumtaz Mahal being the favorite was always with him wherever he went. He had 14 children in all and the third son was the famous ruler of Aurangabad, Aurangazeb. Shah Jahan was famous as the Emperor of Taj, however, he was also famous as the grandson of the great Emperor of India, Akbar.
The information given below mentions the family members of the Mughal Emperor.
- Great great grandfather: Babur (1526 A.D. – 1530 A.D.)
- Great grandfather: Humayun (1530 A.D. – 1556 A.D.)
- Grandfather: Akbar the Great (1556 A.D. – 1605 A.D.)
- Grandmother: Mariam-uz-Zamani (Jodha Bai) (1542 A.D. - 1622 A.D.)
- Father: Emperor Jahangir (1605 A.D. – 1628 A.D.)
- Mother: Empress Manmati (Jodh Bai)
- Step Mother: Empress Nur Jahan
- Favorite wife: Mumtaz Mahal
- Other Wives: Akbarabadi Begum (also named as Sirhindi Begum), Fatehpuri Begum and Kandahari Begum
- Favorite wife at old age: Akbarabadi Begum
- Eldest daughter: Jahan Ara
- Other Daughters: Roshan Ara and Gauhar Ara
- Third Son: Aurangazeb (1658 A.D. – 1707 A.D.)
- Other Sons: Dara Shukoh, Shah Shuja and Murad Baksh
- Father-in-law: Abdul Hasan Asaf Khan
- Younger brother: Prince Shahryar
- Other Brothers: Khusrau and Parwiz
- Total Children: Out of his 14 children 7 died at infancy or younger age.
Death of Shah Jahan: After the completion of the white marble monument Shah Jahan fell seriously ill. Later on in 1658 A.D. he was defeated by his youngest son Aurangzeb and was imprisoned for 8 years in the Agra Fort until his death. He died in the year 1666 A.D. when he was 74 years old. His elder daughter Jahan Ara was with him at the Agra Fort imprisoned along with him and taking care of her old father Shah Jahan. He desired to be buried next to his wife’s tomb in the Taj Mahal.
Source for the information on the wives of Shah Jahan: Agra - The architectural heritage by Lucky Peck
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