In 1628 CE, Shah Jahan ascended to the throne in Agra following the passing of Jahangir, succeeding his father. Arjmand Banu Begum, also known as Mumtaz Mahal, was his wife. An attempted overthrow by Khan Lodi, a prominent ruler from Afghanistan, was unsuccessful in challenging Shah Jahan’s rule. During the Mughal era, Shah Jahan strategically divided the Deccan region into four provinces: Berar, Telangana, Daulatabad, and Khandesh.

About Shah Jahan

• In 1627, Jahangir passed away, and Mirza Shahab-ud-Din Baig Muhammad Khan Khurram assumed the throne in 1628. Following his ascent, Shah Jahan took strategic measures to secure his rule, including the elimination of rivals, imprisonment of his stepmother Nur Jahan, and execution of brothers and nephews to eliminate potential competition.
• Despite launching a campaign to reclaim Kandahar and ancestral lands in the northwest frontier, Shah Jahan faced challenges and did not achieve success in this endeavor.
• Shah Jahan’s Deccan policy proved relatively successful, as he defeated Ahmadnagar forces and annexed the region. He further implemented a plan in the Deccan, establishing four Mughal provinces – Khandesh, Telangana, Berar, and Daulatabad – and entrusted their governance to his son Aurangazeb.
• The Deccan witnessed a war of succession among Shah Jahan’s sons in his later years. The contenders included Dara Shikoh (crown prince), Shuja (Bengal’s governor), Aurangazeb (governor of Deccan), and Murad Baksh (governor of Malwa and Gujarat).
• Aurangazeb emerged victorious in the succession struggle, compelling Shah Jahan to surrender and marking the end of his reign.

Art and Culture

• Shah Jahan was a great patron of art and culture. During his reign, the Mughal Empire became a rich centre of art and culture.
• The emperor’s love for architecture is commendable; some of the nation’s most popular artistic and architectural accomplishments were built during this era.
• The Jama Masjid, Taj Mahal, and Red Fort in Delhi, and the Shalimar Gardens of Lahore are a few examples of the architecture during the Mughal era that have survived till now.
• Shah Jahan passed away in 1666 and was buried beside his wife’s grave in the Taj Mahal.

Conclusion

During the Mughal era, the concept of primogeniture, where the eldest son inherits the father’s estate, was not embraced. Instead, the Mughals adhered to the tradition of coparcenary inheritance, involving the division of the inheritance among all the sons. This unique approach influenced the dynamics of succession within the ruling family. Notably, during Jahangir’s reign, the East India Company gained the privilege to trade and began establishing its presence in India. Jahangir’s death in 1627 marked the ascension of Shah Jahan to the throne. Upon claiming power, Shah Jahan took strategic measures to eliminate potential rivals, including imprisoning his stepmother Nur Jahan. Additionally, he executed his brothers and nephews, consolidating his rule and minimizing competition.

Read Also: Jahangir (1605-1627)