Shihab ud-Din SHAH JAHAN (r.1627-1658)


*JAHAN-
GIR'S
TOMB*
Jahangir's elaborate tomb in Shahdara, Lahore, was built by Shah Jahan, with the active collaboration of Jahangir's widow Nur Jahan


Shah Jahan holds court, in a splendid painting by Bichitra (1650); and other views of his darbar, including a depiction of the now-lost Peacock Throne
Along with the Peacock Throne, the "Late Shah Jahan Album" was probably part of the astonishing amount of loot carried off by Nadir Shah in 1739
Shah Jahan's "shamsah" design, perhaps the most famous piece of calligraphic ornament in the world, is one of the glories of the Met's collection
Like Jahangir, Shah Jahan minted some gorgeous coins; it's usually believed that his reign represented the golden age of the *Mughal empire*


*LAHORE
FORT*
To the Lahore Fort he added the spectacular Naulakha Pavilion (1631) and other buildings, as well as creating the Shalimar Gardens
*DAULAT-
ABAD*
In 1633 he captured the hilltop fortress of Daulatabad, which became the key to his and Aurangzeb's efforts to subdue the Deccan
He also built in Thatta, Sind, the striking "Shahjahani Mosque," with its 101 domes and lavish tilework (1644-47)
*AGRA
FORT*
To the Agra Fort he added its Moti Masjid, and Khas Mahal, and other buildings; his daughter Raushanara built Agra's Jama Masjid
*TAJ
MAHAL*
And across the river he built, as a tomb for his beloved Mumtaz Mahal, the inescapable, unforgettable Taj Mahal (1631-48)
*SHAH-
JAHAN-
ABAD*
In 1638 he laid the foundations for the Red Fort, around which he also built the walled city of Shahjahanabad; in his reign Delhi replaced Agra as the Mughals' official capital


"Shah Jahan embraces his son Aurangzeb," and other retrospective views; *a Mughal dynastic chart*



 
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