Shah Jahan, the emperor from Lahore

[Hamza913]

Shah Jahan was the 5th Mughal emperor, reigning from 1628 to 1658. He was born in Lahore, the son of Jahangir (the previous Mughal emperor) and a Rajput princess from Marwar.

Before becoming the ruler of the Mughal Empire, Shah Jahan demonstrated extraordinary military talent, e.g during the Mughal campaign against the Rajputs of Rajasthan, Shah Jahan engaged in a brutal war of attrition, resulting the Rajputs surrendering and becoming a vassal state of the Mughals. Another example of Shah Jahan's military prowess was his subjugation of parts of the Deccan, which is actually how he obtained his title of Shah Jahan (King of the World).

Under Shah Jahan's rule, the Mughal Empire maintained an over 900,000 strong army, and just under 200,000 Sowars were commanded by princes and nobles throughout the region.

The Mughal Empire continued to expand moderately across Afghanistan and the Deccan during his reign, and he managed to successfully put down several rebellions. South Asia at the time was a rich centre of the arts, crafts and architecture, and some of the best of the architects, artisans, craftsmen, painters and writers of the world resided in Shah Jahan's empire. At the time, the Mughal Empire had the highest GDP in the world.

Shah Jahan was more radical in his religious thinking than his father and grandfather. He adopted new policies which reversed Akbar's treatment of non-Muslims. Shah Jahan began to impose provisions against the construction or repair of churches and temples. After learning that wealthy Hindus wished to complete several unfinished temples in Benares, he ordered all new temples in the city to be destroyed. He also destroyed the Sikh temple of Lahore after the Sikhs attempted an (unsuccessful) rebellion. Prominent shrines encountered during military campaigns were also damaged. He celebrated Islamic festivals with enthusiasm unfamiliar to his predecessors. Royal interest in the Islamic Holy Cities was also revived during his reign.

Shah Jahan is best known for his remarkable contributions to architecture, such as the Taj Mahal, Naulakha Pavilion, Wazir Khan Masjid, etc.

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Shah-Jahan
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shah_Jahan
http://www.ancient-origins.net/hist...-and-one-most-powerful-mughal-emperors-006285

 

[MultaniGuy]

I see. quite an informative post you have there.

 

[Hamza913]

@Kaptaan @BHarwana @Ahmad Sajjad Paracha @Ahmet Pasha @Max @Ray-of-Hope @Hassan Guy @TheLahoriGuy @Iqbal Ali @Talwar e Pakistan @313ghazi @Albatross @waz @Oscar @Mugwop @Clutch @lastofthepatriots @Jon-Snow @Horus @HAKIKAT @Dalit @Devil Soul @Desert Fox @DESERT FIGHTER

 

[MultaniGuy]

Good, Shah Jahan was a good Mughal emperor.

 

[Hamza913]

@Maarkhoor @AZADPAKISTAN2009 @Azadkashmir @Mini Tank

 

[Joe Shearer]

How interesting to read. His success where Babur, Akbar and Jahangir had failed is noteworthy. What was this brutal war of attrition against the Rajputs? What were they doing vis-a-vis the Empire before they were ground down and converted into 'a vassal state'? A brilliant reminder of an under-rated reign. Thank you, @dsr478, for making clear much that was obscure to some of us.

 

[Hamza913]

@war&peace @MUSTAKSHAF

 

[Kabira]

Lahori term didn't even exist back then.

 

[Hamza913]

What was this brutal war of attrition against the Rajputs? What were they doing vis-a-vis the Empire before they were ground down and converted into 'a vassal state'?

In 1614, Shah Jahan and his army started attacking the independent Rajput state of Mewar, which had successfully been defending itself from the Mughal conquests since the time of Akbar. He defeated them by engaging in attrition warfare (he basically kept on killing them and destroying their stuff until they surrendered). The fact that he defeated such a battle hardened enemy whilst still being a greenhorn is what makes the conquest so impressive. In one attempt, he did what Akbar couldn't do with several.

Lahori term didn't even exist back then.

Asalamu Alaikum

He came from Lahore, so I just decided to use the term. Makes for a better title than "Shah Jahan, the emperor from modern day Lahore".

 

[Joe Shearer]

In 1614, commanding a roughly 200,000 strong army, Shah Jahan started attacking the independent Rajput state of Mewar, which had successfully been defending itself from the Mughal conquests since the time of Akbar. He defeated them by engaging in attrition warfare (he basically kept on killing them and destroying their stuff until they surrendered). The fact that he defeated such as a battle hardened enemy whilst still being a greenhorn is what makes the conquest so impressive. In one attempt, he did what Akbar couldn't do with several.

Ah, the reference was to Mewar! What were the much larger states of Jaipur and Jodhpur doing at that time? You do realise that Akbar's entire policy was different? Materially different? And that the roots of Maratha and Rajput disaffection were in this policy of Shah Jahan, policies that were accelerated by Aurangzeb?


Asalamu Alaikum

He came from Lahore, so I just decided to use the term. Makes for a better title than "Shah Jahan, the emperor from modern day Lahore".

Was this the beginning of the Lahori Empire? Was Aurangzeb also a Lahori Emperor? Presumably so, considering his long years of service in Afghanistan, as viceroy for his father. @Kaptaan will probably like this post enormously.

Lahori term didn't even exist back then.

Kahne mein koi tax lagta kya?

 

[Hamza913]

And that the roots of Maratha and Rajput disaffection were in this policy of Shah Jahan, policies that were accelerated by Aurangzeb?

Was this the beginning of the Lahori Empire? Was Aurangzeb also a Lahori Emperor? Presumably so, considering his long years of service in Afghanistan, as viceroy for his father. @Kaptaan will probably like this post enormously.

I personally believe that the fall of the Mughal Empire was due to incompetent rulers after Aurangzeb died. Animosity doesn't mean jack if you can successfully put down your opponents.

Lol the empire centred around South Asia, only Shah Jahan came from Lahore, so I called him Lahori.

Aurangzeb is irrelevant to where Shah Jahan was from.

 

[Kabira]

Kahne mein koi tax lagta kya?

Yes as I have certain picture of burger lahori in my mind when I hear that word.

 

[Hamza913]

Yes as I have certain picture of burger lahori in my mind when I hear that word.

 

[Joe Shearer]

Yes as I have certain picture of burger lahori in my mind when I hear that word.

Now I understand why revolution is breaking out all over, in every home, in every location that there is no oppressive police force.

 

[Kambojaric]

Lahori term didn't even exist back then.

It sure did. Read about Ustad Ahmed Lahori, one of the if not the main architect of the Taj Mahal. Lahore's status as a major Mughal city in league with Delhi and Agra had already been confirmed during the reign of Akbar. Some of his most senior generals and ministers were from Lahore, including Lahori Kambohs. The official biographer of Shah Jahan for example was Mohammad Saleh Kamboh Lahori, who also built Masjid Saleh Kamboh in androon shehr (walled city).