Shah Jahan r. 1628-58 (d.1666)

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Shah Jahan r. 1628-58 (d.1666)
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The Succession in 1628

• Sparked by Jahangirs illness when Khurran (Shah
  Jahan) was still in the Deccan
• Asaf Khan, Nur Jahans brother was key to
  securing the throne under Dawar Baksh temporarily
• Eventually all serious contenders to the throne
  are killed once Shah Jahans claim is secure

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Some consequences

• The supporters of the other factions were
  distrusted by Shah Jahan
• Rebellion of Khan Jahan Lodi
• The Budelakhand expedition against Jhunjhar Singh
• Shah Jahan demonstrates the considerable power of
  the Emperor to deal with challenges by all ranks
  of nobles
• Some examples of temple-razing are connected with
  rebellion

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Geographical limits of Empire
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Some problematic campaigns

• 1646-47 campaign in Balkh under Murad and
  Aurangzeb (stalemate)
• Kandahar, 1638,1649-53 (stalemate)
• Lesser Tibet and Gharwal Himmalyas (not worth the
  cost)
• Campaign against Ahoms (leads to a secure border
  in east)
• Deccan campaignsGolconda/Bijapur

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Consequences of Campaigns

• On the plus side secure and stable borders are
  recognized by both sides
• Extension of cultivation in Sind and Bengal,
  growth in mansabdari there
• On the negative side, considerable loss of life
  and money for little gain
• Demonstrates the geographical limits of empire
  had been reached (except in the deccan)

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Campaigns and princes

• The princes had different talents
• Aurangzeb was by far the most suited to campaigns
  and administrative functions
• Dara Shikoh had strength in diplomacy
• Rivalry already obvious

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Key elements of Shah Jahans Rule

• Increased centralization of rule resistance to
  rebellion internally
• Great prosperity and extended trading contacts
• Size of nobility rises as does the upper level of
  rural peasants (khud kasht)
• Massive building projects by emperor and nobility
• Increased orthodoxy of religious life by Emperor,
  but not necessarily in court

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The Taj Mahal
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Signs of economic growth

• Stable prices
• Increased revenue by 26 from Jahangirs time, at
  the same time Khalisa or crown lands increased
  for stability
• More towns with populations of a millionDelhi,
  Lahore, Agra, Patna, Ahemdabad, Surat
• Population increases despite a famine in 1630s
• Quick adoption of new world crops tabacco,
  maize/ and sericulture in Bengal from China

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Economic Growth by class

• Nobles wills record estates in the 10s of
  millions with considerable holdings in land,
  gold, jewelry
• Increased recruitment of different castes into
  military and administration shows peasants and
  clerical castes risings
• Numbers of Khud Kasht holders increases creates a
  new elite status in rural areas
• Merchant groups also report increased profits
• Dutch revenue 150,000 fl in 1648(4.6 million by
  1720)

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Rembrandts Mughal Paintings
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Economic Growth and Shah Jahan

• Decreased reliance on financiers/bankers by
  government, sufficient reserves in Imperial
  treasury
• Inflation of Mansabdari ranks, however, does mean
  a decrease in actual pay/cavalry units associated
  with rank, more nobles created
• Despite heavy expenditure in military campaigns
  and architecture, Shah Jahan still leaves behind
  a reserve of 95 million
• Overall economically the state is robust with
  some indication of prosperity across ranks

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Requirements for Rough Draft of Research Paper

• Should be a complete rough draft with intro,
  body, conclusion, bibliography
• Reference (endnotes or footnotes) and
  bibliography should be in Chicago style
• Should have a clear thesis
• Please proof read your draft before turning it in
• Ill be happy to meet with you to review the
  draft before the due date (2/25 by 5 pm)

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After Break--Shah Jahans Architecture

• From Sandstone to Marble

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Major Projects

• Extensive re-modeling of Agra and Lahore forts
• Shahjahanabadimperial capital at Delhi
• Taj Mahal
• Ajmer shrine and mosque
• Shalimar gardens in Kashmir
• Numerous minor projectspalaces, mosques,
  gardens, mausoleums

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Agra

• All buildings inside older fort demolished and
  replaced with marble palaces with extensive
  decorations in semi-precious stones
• Ramparts repaired and strengthened
• Monumental doorways installed
• Viewing balconies, especially on river side
  facing the Taj Mahal

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Balcony and Rampart, Agra
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The Taj Mahal and its precedents
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Common Feature

• Both rely on the chahar bagh plan with the
  building placed in a garden setting with two
  water channels
• Use of pietra dura work and marble more evident
  in Nur Jahans tomb for her father Itmad-ud Daula
• Use of Minarets, base, arches, and ceremonial
  gateways in each building

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Itmad-ud Daula
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Mughal Pietra Dura

• Harder marble retains carved features better than
  sandstone
• Wealth of empire reflected in the semi-precious
  stones used
• Floral and animal motifs common to painting and
  mural arts

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Inscriptional Panels, Taj Mahal

• Use of older Kufic script accentuates Geometry

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Shalimar Gardens

• References ideas of the hasht-bihisht or paradise
• Play of stone and water integral part of the plan
• Uses engineering techniques similar to those used
  in the fort palaces and in the Taj

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Shalimar Gardens
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Associated Projects

• Nobility and Royal family collaborated on major
  projects
• Havelis built by nobles in Delhi
• Jahan Aras patronage of Chandani Chowk
• Sub-imperial styles evolve regionally can be seen
  in the tombs and palaces of various mughal
  provinces