The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c18.117

v4.c18.117

It was, however, in the field of architecture that the reign was most distinguished. Indian art had still retained its faculty of learning from foreign influence but making its own treatment and stamping its productions with the marks of an indigenous culture. Shāh Jahān had a strong interest in the designs and plans of buildings and personally discussed and revised them. When he ordered the construction of the peacock throne he also began to rebuild most of the existing palaces and apartments in the fort at Āgra to make a setting for it.¹ Of the most conspicuous erections of which he was the founder, the first to be begun (in 1632) was the Tāj at Āgra, to contain the tomb of his wife.²