Shah Jahan's throne in Red Fort, Delhi; Image Source: Wikimedia Commons

large_Red_Fort_-_The_marble_jharokha.jpeg

medium_Red_Fort_-_The_marble_jharokha.jpeg

small_Red_Fort_-_The_marble_jharokha.jpeg

thumbnail_Red_Fort_-_The_marble_jharokha.jpeg

Red_Fort_-_The_marble_jharokha.jpeg

The Mughals have had quite a reputation, especially in contemporary times. They have been portrayed as foreign invaders, and primarily in a bad light by certain extremists. However, Mughal influence in culture, art, architecture cannot simply be overlooked or erased, irrespective of the narrative(s) surrounding them. Though all Mughal rulers up till Aurangzeb left their imprint on the Indian landscape, Shah Jahan is unarguably the most culturally important Mughal ruler.

Born as Shahab ud-Din Muhammad Khurram, he was the third son of Jahangir, from the Rajput princess, Jagat Gosaini. A rebel from a young age, he was close to his grandfather Akbar and was brought up in the care of Ruqaiya Begum. He had a troubled relationship with his father who was emotionally distant and Khurram, thus for the most part of his early life stayed away from the court. In the years following Jahangir's demise, Khurram had to seize the throne.

Shah Jahan was always inclined towards architecture, even more so than court politics and was one of the greatest Mughal patrons of art. Mumtaz Mahal, his second wife, served as the inspiration behind the architectural marvel Taj Mahal, where she was buried after her death while giving birth to Shah Jahan's fourteenth child, Gauhar Ara Begum. She was a politically shrewd and powerful woman; she advised Shah Jahan on important matters of the state and even had the responsibility of the Imperial Seal, through which she could access final drafts of important documents.

Besides the Taj Mahal, he is also credited for the construction of Qila-e-Mubark (Red fort Delhi), Masjid-e-Jahanuma (Jama Masjid Delhi), the Shalimar Gardens of Kashmir, parts of Agra Red Fort, amongst others.

An interesting myth that surrounds Shah Jahan is that he had an illicit relationship with his daughter.  After killing his brother Darah and Shuja, Aurangzeb put Shah Jahan under house arrest. His daughter from Mumtaz, Jahanara voluntarily chose to accompany her father during this 8-year confinement. Jahanara is said to be a reflection of Jahan's dearest Mumtaz and was thus very close to her father. This proximity probably gave rise to a court rumor which is still associated with him, despite having been dismissed by historians.

> Shah Jahan is known to have spent the last years of his life in confinement. Through the window of his room at Agra Fort, he would look at the marvel he once made - the Taj Mahal, across the Yamuna, every day. Later after his death, he was buried beside his favorite Queen in the same tomb that is now seen as a symbol of love around the globe.
>

An emperor, regarded (arguably) as the wealthiest Indian of all times, was born on the 5th of Jan. Leaving behind legacies so extensively grand, bards yet don't seem to get over; a lover in all sorts balancing indulgence and spirituality; credited of the greatest symbol for love.

A love memorial greater than any other

large_Shah Jahan_1_updated-01.jpg

medium_Shah Jahan_1_updated-01.jpg

small_Shah Jahan_1_updated-01.jpg

thumbnail_Shah Jahan_1_updated-01.jpg

Shah Jahan_1_updated-01.jpg

large_Shah Jahan_2_updated-01.jpg

medium_Shah Jahan_2_updated-01.jpg

small_Shah Jahan_2_updated-01.jpg

thumbnail_Shah Jahan_2_updated-01.jpg

Shah Jahan_2_updated-01.jpg

large_Shah Jahan_3_updated-01.jpg

medium_Shah Jahan_3_updated-01.jpg

small_Shah Jahan_3_updated-01.jpg

thumbnail_Shah Jahan_3_updated-01.jpg

Shah Jahan_3_updated-01.jpg

large_Shah Jahan_4_updated-01.jpg

medium_Shah Jahan_4_updated-01.jpg

small_Shah Jahan_4_updated-01.jpg

thumbnail_Shah Jahan_4_updated-01.jpg

Shah Jahan_4_updated-01.jpg