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2024-09-22 08:20:01

Shah Jahan

Mughal emperor known for architectural achievements
Mughal emperor known for architectural achievements

Shah Jahan, the fifth Mughal emperor, reigned from 1628 to 1658. He commissioned iconic monuments like the Taj Mahal and Red Fort, reaching the peak of Mughal cultural and architectural achievements.

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1569-10-20
Birth of Shah Jahan

Shah Jahan, a member of the elite class of the Mughal Empire, was born on October 20, 1569. He received a broad education and had many intellectual influences.

1592-01-01
Birth of Shah Jahan

Shah Jahan, originally named Khurram by his grandfather Akbar, was born in 1592. He was the fifth son of Jahangir.

1592-01-05
Birth of Shah Jahan

Shah Jahan, born as Mirza Shahab-ud-Din Muhammad Khurram on 5 January 1592 in Lahore, was the fifth Mughal emperor known for his architectural and cultural achievements.

1605
Khurram's Education

As a Mughal prince, Khurram received a comprehensive education that included martial training, poetry, music, and exposure to various cultural arts. Despite political uncertainties during Akbar's death, Khurram showed dedication to his studies and interests in Hindi literature.

1607
Betrothal of Shah Jahan to Arjumand Bano Begum

In 1607, Shah Jahan was betrothed to Arjumand Bano Begum, the grand daughter of a Persian noble. She later became his beloved wife.

1611
Marriage of Jahangir to Nur Jahan

Jahangir married Nur Jahan, who became influential in the court along with her brother Asaf Khan, leading to a complex political environment during Shah Jahan's early years.

1612-05-10
Marriage to Mumtaz Mahal

Shah Jahan married his Persian second wife, Arjumand Bano Begum, popularly known as Mumtaz Mahal, on May 10, 1612. She was the inspiration behind the construction of the Taj Mahal.

1615
Mughal expedition of Mewar

After a year of harsh war, Rana Amar Singh I surrendered to the Mughal forces, making Mewar a vassal state of the Mughal Empire.

1616
Title of Shah Sultan Khurram

Jahangir awarded Khurram the title Shah Sultan Khurram before his departure to Deccan in 1616.

1617
Title of Shah Jahan

After successful campaigns in the Deccan, Jahangir granted Khurram the title Shah Jahan, meaning 'King of the World', and elevated his military rank.

1618
Receiving Jahangirnama

Shah Jahan was given the first copy of Jahangirnama by his father, who considered him the foremost among his sons.

1622
Khurram's Insurgency Against Jahangir

In 1622, Prince Khurram (Shah Jahan) raised an army against his father, Jahangir, but the insurgency failed. He was later forgiven and accepted back into the fold.

1625
Shah Jahan makes peace with his father

After wandering throughout the empire to gain public support for his right to the throne, Shah Jahan returned to make peace with his father in 1625. This led to his father preparing him for the title of emperor.

1627-01-01
Shah Jahan ascends to the throne

On January 1, 1627, Shah Jahan takes the throne as the Mughal Emperor. This event marks the beginning of his reign and his rule over the Mughal Empire.

1628-01-23
Execution of Chief Rivals and Imprisonment of Step Mother

Shah Jahan ordered the execution of his brother, nephews, cousins, and imprisoned his stepmother Nur Jahan to eliminate any potential contention for his rule.

1628-02-04
Ascension to the Throne as Shah Jahan

After a fratricidal war against his weaker brother, Shahryar, Shah Jahan captured power and took the rule name Shah Jahan on February 4, 1628.

1630
Shah Jahan's Military Campaigns

Shah Jahan conducted military campaigns to put down an Islamic rebellion in Ahmednagar, repulse the Portuguese in Bengal, and capture the Rajput kingdoms of Baglana and Bundelkhand.

1631-01-01
Death of Mumtaz Mahal

On January 1, 1631, Shah Jahan's wife, Mumtaz Mahal, passed away.

1631-06-17
Shah Jahan's Devotion to Mumtaz Mahal

Shah Jahan's deep affection and favor for Mumtaz Mahal surpassed his relationships with his other wives by a thousand times, as documented by the court chronicler Qazwini. Their relationship was described as intense, intimate, and even erotic by court historians.

1632
Beginning of construction on the Taj Mahal

Construction of the iconic Taj Mahal began in 1632 during the early years of Shah Jahan's reign, symbolizing his love for his wife Mumtaz Mahal.

1635
Submission of Golconda

Golconda submitted to Shah Jahan in 1635.

1636
Subjugation of Ahmadnagar in the Deccan region

In 1636, Shah Jahan successfully subdued Ahmadnagar, a volatile province in the Deccan region, consolidating Mughal control in the area.

1637
Embassy to Ottoman Empire

Shah Jahan sent an embassy to the Ottoman court in 1637.

1638-01-01
Establishment of New Capital

In 1638, Shah Jahan establishes a new capital.

1639
Construction of the Red Fort in Delhi

Shah Jahan built the Red Fort in Delhi as a massive structure to support military operations of the Mughal Empire. The fort included a mosque and entertainment centers.

1640
Construction of Red Fort

In 1640, Shah Jahān built the Red Fort in Delhi, a massive fortress-palace complex, during his rule as the Mughal emperor.

1644
Appointment of Aurangzeb as viceroy of Gujarat

In 1644, the Mughal prince Aurangzeb was appointed as the viceroy of Gujarat, where he later engaged in religious disputes, including the destruction of a Jain temple in Ahmedabad.

1647
Completion of the Taj Mahal

In 1647, the construction of the Taj Mahal, a magnificent white marble mausoleum in Agra, was completed. It was built by Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal.

1648-01-01
Moving the Mughal Court to Dehli

In 1648, Shah Jahan relocates the Mughal court to Dehli after the completion of Shahjahanabad. He continues to implement changes and improvements while the court is situated in the new capital.

1657-01-01
Shah Jahan Falls Ill

In 1657, Shah Jahan becomes seriously ill, leading to a power struggle among his sons for the throne.

1658-01-01
Aurangzeb Takes the Throne

In 1658, Shah Jahan's son, Aurangzeb, emerges victorious in the power struggle and becomes the new ruler. He then proceeds to imprison Shah Jahan in the Jasmine Tower of the Red Fort at Agra.

1659
Imprisonment of Shah Jahan

In 1659, Shah Jahan was imprisoned in Agra Fort by his son Aurangzeb, leading to a period of house arrest until his death.

1666-01-01
Death of Shah Jahan

Shah Jahan passed away in 1666 and was laid to rest beside Mumtaz Mahal in the Taj Mahal.

1666-01-22
Death of Shihāb al-Dīn Muḥammad Khurram

Shihāb al-Dīn Muḥammad Khurram, also known as Shah Jahan, passed away on January 22, 1666 in Agra, which is now in India, at the age of 74.

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Shah Jahan
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