Shah Jahan was a Mogul emperor of India from 1628, till his son forced him to advocate the throne in 1658. He was born on January 15, 1592, the same month of the prophet Mohammed. Shah Jahan was the son of the previous ruler of India Jahangir. Shah Jahan is mostly remembered for his architecture contributions including the red fort, his gem studded peacock throne, Jama Masjid of Delhi and the most famous is the mausoleum to his wife the Taj Mahal. Before Shah Jahan assented the throne his real name was Prince Khurram. He competed against rival princes to get the Mogul throne when the previous emperor Jahangir died. He beat all of his challengers and was crowned emperor at age 35. He also renamed himself Shah Jahan or King of the world.

Shah Jahan was the only Mogul emperor to favor the city of Agra of the more central city Delhi. Most of Shah Jahan's buildings would be built in Agra. In the time Shah Jahan lived in wealth was measured in jewels, gold and silver, and silks. Since the Mogul economically healthy so he displayed his power through jewels. When he was crowned emperor he received six thrones all made by previous rulers. He wanted to display his power he then commissioned many goldsmiths and artisans to build him an unbelievable throne. The craftsmen took seven years when they were finished the finish product was two solid gold peacocks on both sides both were incrusted with hundreds of rubies, emeralds, pearls, and diamonds. Around this throne he had his royal court which was surrounded by exquisite silk carpets and cushions. All of this was held under arches of silver inscribed with gold. But all his wealth had come form somewhere, he taxed the peasants hard and they became poorer every day.

Shah Jahan before he became king had already met his future favorite wife Arjumand Banu Begum later named Mumtaz Mahal. His father Jahangir had arranged marriages with two other women but they were for political reasons. He favored her over all his wives. Whatever military campaigns he went on his wife would always come along. She would advise him and consul him. She later would die giving birth to her fourteenth child on June 7, 1631. Hearing the news he was overcome with grief and had the court morn for two years. After morning he ordered the construction of a tomb for his beloved wife.

The site chosen for the building was right next to the Jauna river. Shah Jahan brought in architects for all over the civilized world. Some of these people included Geronimo Verroneo an Italian working for the Moguls and Ustad Isa Khan Effendi from Persia. The man power to build this monument was over 20,000 men who came as far as Turkey. Materials for this building were shipped in from all over. The white marble came from Makrana near Jofhpur in Rajasthan. The precious stones came in from far away lands. To make the dome a ten mile long ramp was made so marble could reach the dome. The Taj was built in Islamic architecture building 4 minarets towers. The art work decorating the mausoleum and the large reflecting pool include flowers made of agate and jasper and verses from the Koran. Another thing around the Taj Mahal is a lager garden divided into 4 areas. He also made four reflecting pools. Shah Jahan was an active Muslim therefore had a mosque built and a guest house. In the burial chamber he had rich Persian carpets, gold lamps, gold candlesticks, and a sheet of natural pearls covered the the royalties stone white marble caskets. Each one of these other monuments complemented the Taj Mahal. Shah Jahan also makes huge silver doors that were part of a large wall around the tomb. It would take 22 years to build the monument which greatly reduced the Mogul treasury. The Taj itself was completed in 1648 it would not be until 1653 when all the subsidiary building would be done.

Shah Jahan was a broken man after his wife died. He had a favorite son Dara Shikoh who he wanted to become king. But the most capable son was Aurangzib who proved this at a young age of sixteen when he conquered and beat the rebellious raga of Orchha. Shah Jahan would later lodge in the palace his son had captured form the Raja of Orchha. Later Aurangzeb tried to retake the city of Kandahar but failed because he was ill prepared. When his brother Dara tried he went with a well equipped army and failed just as his brother had. When Shah Jahan fell greatly ill many people believe he was dead. All of Shah Jahan's sons jumped for the throne.

Aurangzeb proved he was most capable brother by murdering all of his brothers. One of his brothers Murad Bakhsh posed the greatest threat so he invited into his tent then made him drunk and cut off his arms while he was sleeping. He would later put him on an elephant going to Delhi were he would be imprisoned. On June 1 Aurangzeb arrives at Agra. His father sits safely at the red fort as he comes into the city. Shah Jahan sends a delegation which presents to Aurangzeb with a famous sword called Alamgir (Seizer of the universe) they also invite Aurangzeb to visit his father. He said he will only come if his father opens the doors to his officials as well. Aurangzeb flushes his father out by cutting off the water supply to the red fort. The red forts wells were not maintained well so Shah Jahan could only stand the bitter water for 3 days. Shah Jahan surrenders the red fort to his son and officials. Aurangzeb officials go into the red fort and seize the imperial treasury and armaments that had been collected for over three generations. Aurangzeb then imprisons his father in the marble harem. Aurangzeb then puts his eldest son Mohammed Sultan as his guard and only link to the outside world. Three days later Aurangzeb wants to go visit his father. As he is traveling in a big parade to the harem a letter is intercepted that is from Shah Jahan to Dara saying that he supports Dara. After reading this he turns back never to see his father again. He then proclaims himself emperor and he would go on to rule the Mogul empire. Shah Jahan lives another 8 years. The room he was kept in overlooked the Taj Mahal. It is believed that on his deathbed his eyes were transfixed on his monument to his wife. He died in the year 1666.

Shah Jahan was buried right next to his wife when he died. His memorial would later be disturbed in 1720 when Amir Husein Ali Khan carried off the sheet of natural pearls that covered the stone coffins. Then in 1764 the great silver doors were melted down by Suraj Mal. Now factories around the Taj Mahal are degrading the marble. Shah Jahan had a love for architecture that is still appreciated today. Even though his last years were confidened the monuments he built far surpassed his time. Today most historians put Shah Jahan up with all the great Mogul rulers like Akbar.