Shah Jahan

Let’s now enter the period of Shah Jahan — a name often synonymous with marble monuments and imperial majesty, but his reign, like most of the Mughal history, was a blend of splendour, sorrow, and strategic struggles.

👑 Ascension to the Throne

Shah Jahan, originally named Khurram, was the son of Emperor Jahangir and Rajput princess Jodha Bai. After Jahangir’s death in 1627, a brief but tense struggle for the throne ensued. Eventually, Khurram emerged victorious and adopted the title Shah Jahan, meaning “King of the World.”

His reign would go on to last for three decades, and in terms of architectural beauty and state magnificence, it reached an unmatched zenith.

🛡️ Military Campaigns: Successes and Setbacks

Northwest Frontier Campaigns: A Costly Endeavour

One of Shah Jahan’s primary military ambitions was to reclaim ancestral lands in the northwest — especially Kandahar, which had once been under Akbar but was later lost during Jahangir’s reign.

• In 1638, he successfully annexed Kandahar, briefly restoring Mughal prestige.
• However, this success was short-lived. By 1647, the Safavids of Persia recaptured Kandahar, and all attempts to retake it thereafter failed.
• Additionally, his army made efforts to seize Balkh from the Uzbegs (Central Asian powers), but that campaign, too, ended in failure.
• Between 1639 and 1647, these continuous northwestern invasions cost the Mughal Empire over 5,000 soldiers, highlighting the military and logistical limitations of the empire.

Deccan Policy: A Brighter Chapter

In contrast, Shah Jahan’s policy towards the Deccan was more pragmatic and successful.

• In 1632, the forces of Ahmadnagar were decisively defeated and annexed into the empire.
• By 1636, the powerful sultanates of Bijapur and Golkonda were brought into submission through diplomatic treaties. They accepted the suzerainty of the Mughal Emperor — a significant expansion of imperial influence without further bloodshed.

🕌 Patron of Architecture and Culture

Shah Jahan was not just a warrior; he was also a visionary builder. His reign is often remembered as the “Golden Age of Mughal Architecture.” During his rule, some of the most iconic monuments in Indian history were constructed:

• Taj Mahal, built on the banks of the Yamuna in Agra, stands as an eternal symbol of love. It was constructed in memory of Mumtaz Mahal, his beloved wife, who died in 1631 during childbirth. Their marriage had lasted from 1612, and Shah Jahan was said to be deeply devoted to her.
• Red Fort (Lal Qila) in Delhi — the seat of power and later, the stage for many key moments in Indian history.
• Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques in India, also arose under his patronage.
• The exquisite Peacock Throne, studded with precious gems, was another symbol of royal grandeur crafted during his reign.

🌍 Foreign Visitors: Eyes of Europe on India

Shah Jahan’s court attracted many European travellers and chroniclers who have given us detailed and often fascinating glimpses of life in India under the Mughals:

• François Bernier (French physician),
• Jean-Baptiste Tavernier (French gem merchant),
• Mandelslo (German adventurer),
• Peter Mundy (English trader),
• Niccolao Manucci (Italian writer).

These travellers often marvelled at the wealth, organization, and architectural brilliance of the empire — but they also noted the stark poverty of the common people, revealing the duality of Mughal India.

⚔️ The Problem of Succession: A Fatal Flaw

By 1657, Shah Jahan had fallen seriously ill. This triggered a bloody war of succession among his four sons — Dara Shukoh, Aurangzeb, Shah Shuja, and Murad Baksh.

• Eventually, Aurangzeb emerged victorious.
• Dara Shukoh, the eldest and Shah Jahan’s favourite, was executed.
• The other brothers were either killed or imprisoned.
• Aurangzeb imprisoned Shah Jahan in the Agra Fort, where he spent his final years gazing at the Taj Mahal — the tomb of his beloved wife.

Shah Jahan died as a royal prisoner in 1666 — a tragic end for the emperor of elegance.

🧬 A Structural Weakness: No Primogeniture

Now let’s address a deeper issue — the problem of succession was not incidental; it was systemic.

Unlike European monarchies, where primogeniture (the rule that the eldest son inherits the throne) was often followed, the Mughals adopted the Timurid tradition of coparcenary inheritance.

Under this system, all sons had equal claims to power. There was no automatic transfer of power to the eldest.

This led to frequent wars of succession, weakening the empire from within every time a ruler neared death.

🧠 Final Reflection

Shah Jahan’s reign reflected the apex of Mughal cultural sophistication but also exposed the empire’s structural vulnerabilities. His life oscillated between imperial majesty and personal tragedy, giving us one of the most poignant chapters in Indian history.

His architectural legacy remains unmatched, but his death in captivity is a grim reminder that dynastic politics in the Mughal world was as ruthless as it was refined.