Shah Jahan! Flashcards
What was Shah Jahan’s ambition as emperor?
As emperor, Shah Jahan was determined to expand the Mughal empire even further.
What military campaigns did Shah Jahan fight early in his reign?
He fought a series of unsuccessful wars against the Safavid Persian empire to the west, spending vast sums of money to capture territory that he lost after only a few years.
Where did Shah Jahan have more military success?
He had more success in the Deccan as he continued the Mughal takeover of the plateau.
What territory did Shah Jahan conquer by 1636?
By 1636 he had conquered Malik Ambar’s old sultanate, Ahmadnagar, but huge areas of the Deccan remained outside of Mughal rule.
What was Shah Jahan’s passion outside of warfare?
Shah Jahan also had a passion for architecture, and many of the greatest buildings of Mughal India were built in his reign.
What architectural works did Shah Jahan commission in Delhi and Agra?
He built a vast palace in Delhi called the Red Fort, and a similar one in Agra.
What was Shah Jahan’s most famous architectural achievement?
Most famously, Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal, which stands in Agra and is often said to be the most beautiful building in the world.
Why was the Taj Mahal built?
It was built as a tomb for his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who was one of his closest and most trusted advisors.
When did Mumtaz Mahal die?
She died in 1631 while giving birth to their 14th child.
