Shah Jahan
Shah Jahan was Mughal emperor from 1628 to 1658. His reign brought imperial expansion and landmark architectural commissions, including the Taj Mahal.
Mughal Empire: A South Asian empire founded in 1526 and ruled by a dynasty descended from Central Asian conquerors. Shah Jahan ruled this empire at the height of its wealth and territorial reach.
Taj Mahal: A white-marble mausoleum in Agra, built by Shah Jahan for Mumtaz Mahal and completed in the seventeenth century. It is the best-known monument commissioned by Shah Jahan.
Mughal mansabdari system: The Mughal system of ranked imperial service that assigned officials military obligations and administrative status. Shah Jahan relied on ranked nobles and their forces to staff and defend the empire.
Shahjahanabad: The walled Mughal capital founded by Shah Jahan in 1639, now forming the historic core of Old Delhi. Its palace, mosque, and planned streets made Shah Jahan's capital an enduring urban legacy.
Mughal dynasty: The dynasty that ruled the Mughal Empire from its foundation in 1526 until the nineteenth century. Shah Jahan inherited the throne as a member of its imperial family.
Red Fort: A fortified palace complex in Delhi, built under Shah Jahan and inaugurated in 1648. Shah Jahan made this new imperial citadel the center of his capital.
Mughal revenue system: The fiscal arrangements through which Mughal authorities assessed and collected land revenue. Land revenue financed Shah Jahan's court, armies, and monumental building works.
Mughal imperial ideology: The ideas and ceremonies through which Mughal rulers represented their sovereignty and legitimacy. Shah Jahan's court architecture and public image gave imperial authority monumental form.
Jahangir: The fourth Mughal emperor, who ruled from 1605 to 1627. Shah Jahan was Jahangir's son and succeeded him after a contested succession.
Jama Masjid, Delhi: A congregational mosque in Old Delhi, commissioned by Shah Jahan and completed in 1656. Its scale and placement expressed the religious and civic stature of Shah Jahan's new capital.