Death of Shah Jahan, Builder of the Taj Mahal
Shah Jahan, the Mughal emperor renowned for constructing the Taj Mahal, passed away on January 22, 1666, after a tumultuous reign marked by both cultural achievements and familial strife. Born on January 5, 1592, in Lahore, he was the fifth emperor of the Mughal dynasty, succeeding his father, Jahangir, in 1628 following a period of conflict. Shah Jahan is best known for his profound love for his wife, Arjumand Banu Begum, known as Mumtaz Mahal, whose death in 1631 prompted him to create the Taj Mahal as a lasting tribute. This stunning mausoleum, constructed over 20 years and requiring the labor of around 20,000 workers, is celebrated for its architectural beauty and intricate gardens, embodying traditional Islamic themes.
Despite his achievements, Shah Jahan's later years were overshadowed by political strife, culminating in his overthrow by his son, Aurangzeb, in 1658. He spent the remainder of his life in captivity in Agra, where he ultimately died. Shah Jahan was laid to rest inside the Taj Mahal, beside Mumtaz Mahal, solidifying his legacy as both a ruler and a devoted husband. The Taj Mahal remains a symbol of love and an architectural marvel, drawing countless visitors and serving as a poignant reminder of Shah Jahan's life and contributions.
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Death of Shah Jahan, Builder of the Taj Mahal
Death of Shah Jahan, Builder of the Taj Mahal
The great Taj Mahal in Agra, India, was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as a memorial to his dead wife before he himself died on January 22, 1666.
The Mughals were distant descendants of the Mongols, who swept across most of Asia and much of Europe beginning in the 13th century. Shah Jahan, born on January 5, 1592, in what is now the Pakistani city of Lahore, was the fifth emperor in the dynasty that was founded by Babur in 1526 and that ruled a significant portion of northern India. Shah Jahan succeeded his father, Jahangir, who died in 1627. It took a year for Shah Jahan to subdue and kill rival claimants to the throne, and he was crowned in 1628 at Agra in India, which was then the empire's capital. Like his father, he pursued an aggressive and successful policy of expanding the Mughal domains, particularly into the Deccan Plateau region.
Shah Jahan married a beautiful woman named Arjumand Banu Bagam, who was called Mumtaz Mahal, which means “elect of the palace” in Persian. He loved her deeply and grieved for years after she died in 1631. Shah Jahan decided to build the greatest mausoleum in the world for her there in Agra, and so construction of the Taj Mahal began in 1632.
Located on the Yamuna River, the white marble structure took 20,000 workers 20 years to build. It consists of a large dome 58 feet in diameter and rising 213 feet, surrounded by smaller domes with minarets that are 162.5 feet high, some red sandstone buildings, and large archways. As Muslims, the Mughals incorporated traditional Islamic themes into the Taj Mahal, including beautiful formal gardens throughout. (Many Muslims believe that in the afterlife the faithful go to a sort of tropical paradise with lush greenery and many other earthly delights.) The central structure was completed in 1643 and the gardens with collateral buildings were completed in 1648. Mumtaz Mahal's tomb is located in a central, octagonal chamber. The total cost for the project was 32 million rupees.
Shah Jahan was overthrown by his son, Aurangzeb, in 1658 and died in captivity in Agra on the date stated above. He was entombed in the Taj Mahal next to his wife.