Shah Jahan

Shah Jahan
Emperor Shah Jahan on the throne in the palace
5th Mughal Emperor
Reign	19 January 1628 – 31 July 1658 (30 years 193 days)
Coronation	14 February 1628, Agra
Predecessor	Shahryar (de facto) Jahangir
Successor	Aurangzeb
Born	5 January 1592 Lahore, Mughal Empire (now in Pakistan)
Died	9 May 1666 (aged 74) Agra Fort, Agra Mughal Empire, (now in India)
Burial	Taj Mahal
Spouse	Kandahari Begum Mumtaz Mahal Izz un-Nisa Begum
Issue	Jahanara Begum Dara Shikoh Shah Shuja Roshanara Begum Aurangzeb Murad Baksh Gauhara Begum
Full name Mirza A'la Azad Abul Muzaffar Shahab ud-Din Baig Mohammad Khan Khurram Shah Jahan
House	House of Timur
Dynasty	Mughal Empire
Father	Jahangir
Mother	Taj Bibi Bilqis Makani
Religion	Islam

Mirza Shahabuddin Baig Muhammad Khan Shah Jahan (26 January 1592 – 9 May 1666 OS) was the fifth Mughal emperor, who reigned from 1628 to 1658.

He was chosen as successor to the throne after the death of his father in 1627. He was considered one of the greatest Mughals of the Timur family. Like his grandfather, Akbar, he was eager to expand his vast empire. In 1658, he fell ill and was confined by his son and successor Aurangzeb in Agra Fort until his death in 1666.

The period of his reign was considered the golden age of Mughal architecture. Shah Jahan erected many monuments, the best known of which is the Taj Mahal at Agra, built in 1632–1654 as a tomb for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal (1 September 1593 – 17 June 1631).

Born in January 1592, Shah ab-ud-din Muhammad Khurram was the third son born to Emperor Jahangir also known as Salim; his mother was a Rajput princess from Marwar called Princess Jagat Gosaini (her official name in Mughal chronicles was Bilquis Makani). The name "Khurram" was chosen for the young prince by his grandfather, Akbar, with whom the young prince shared a close relationship.

Just prior to Khurram's birth, a soothsayer had reportedly predicted to the childless Empress Ruqaiya Sultan Begum, Akbar's first wife and chief consort, that the still unborn child was destined for imperial greatness. So, when Khurram was born in 1592 and was only six days old, Akbar ordered that the prince be taken away from his mother and handed him over to Ruqaiya so that he could grow up under her care and Akbar could fulfill his ageing wife's wish, to raise a Mughal emperor. Ruqaiya assumed the primary responsibility for Khurram's upbringing and he grew up under her care. Her step-son, Jahangir, noted that Ruqaiya had loved Khurram, "a thousand times more than if he had been her own [son]."

Khurram remained with her until he had turned 13. After the death of Akbar, the young prince was allowed to return to his father's household, and thus, be closer to his biological mother.