Shah Jahan

Shah Jahan (1592-1666), fifth Mughal emperor of India (1628-1658), the third son of Emperor Jahangir, born in Lahore (now in Pakistan). As a young prince he commanded his father's army, leading many campaigns, but in 1623, compelled by the intrigues of the imperial consort, he rose in rebellion. At his father's death in 1627 he rushed to Āgra to claim the throne and, having killed all potential rivals, was crowned the following year. Much of his long reign was spent in campaigns in the Deccan, which he never entirely managed to subdue. Above all, however, it was distinguished by architectural splendor; he built the Taj Mahal and the Pearl Mosque at Āgra and presided over the construction of Delhi, which he made his capital. Deposed by his son Aurangzeb in 1658, Shah Jahan spent the rest of his years in prison.