Shah-Jehan

Shah-Jehan, the fifth of the Mogul emperors of Delhi, was during his father's reign employed in military expeditions against the Rajputs, the independent Mohammedan states of the Deccan, and the Afghan tribes around Kandahar. From 1623 he was in revolt against the Emperor Jahangir, his father, and was still unreconciled at the latter's death in 1627, when he was at once saluted as emperor by the nobles. The chief events of his reign were the war against the Deccan sovereigns, which resulted in the complete destruction of the kingdom of Ahmadnagar (1636), and the subjugation (1636) of those of Bijapur and Golconda; an indecisive contest against the Uzbeks of Balkh (1645-47); attempts to recover Kandahar from the Persians (1637, 1647-53), which, however, was finally lost; and a second successful war, conducted by his son Aurungzebe, against the Deccan princes (1655). But in 1658 the emperor fell dangerously ill, and his sons commenced to dispute regarding the succession. Ultimately Shah-Jehan was taken prisoner by Aurungzebe, and confined in the citadel of Agra till his death, December 1666. This emperor administered strict justice, and was an able and capable ruler, and a clever financier. The magnificence of his court was unequalled; the splendid 'peacock throne' was constructed by his orders at a cost of nearly £7,000,000, and many magnificent public buildings executed under his direction remain as monuments of his greatness. Chief of these are the superb Taj Mahal and the lovely 'pearl mosque' at Agra (q.v.), and the palace and great mosque at Delhi (q.v.).