History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v3.c40.s7: §9. Shah Jahan's last illness and death.
History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v3.c40.s7
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§9. Shah Jahan's last illness and death.
v3.c40.s7.1
That deliverance, so wistfully desired but so calmly waited for, came in January 1666. On the 7th of that month, as the effect of rubbing him with a medicated oil, Shah Jahan was seized with a fever. Soon strangury and griping of the stomach supervened. After nine days the obstruction was removed by a surgeon named Brindaban, and the patient felt much relief. But his weakness went on increasing; he had completed 74 years of age and had gone through much hardship in campaigns and rapid marches before his accession to the throne. The intense cold of midwinter lowered his vitality. "His strength was gone; his lips and tongue were parched from drinking cold *sharbat* to allay thirst. Weakness overpowered his limbs; medicine and diet produced no effect."
v3.c40.s7.2
Early in the night of Monday, 22nd January, his condition was declared hopeless, and the end was expected any moment. At the news that death was near, Shah Jahan thanked God for all the gifts and favours received in life and proclaimed his resignation to the will of his Maker. With perfect composure, he gave directions for his funeral, offered consolation to his surviving wives, Akbarabadi Mahal and Fathpuri Mahal, his eldest daughter Jahanara, and the other ladies of the harem, who were weeping round his bed, and charged Jahanara to look after her half-sister Purhunar Banu and other women whom his death would leave helpless. Next, he made his will, took leave of his family and servants, giving them his last presents and keepsakes, and ordered the *Quran* to be read. Finally, while the sacred verses were being solemnly intoned, amidst the wail of the women and the sobs of his attendants, Shah Jahan, retaining full consciousness to the last and gazing on the resting-place of his beloved and long-lost Mumtaz Mahal, repeated the Muslim confession of faith, and murmured the prayer, "O God! make my condition good in this world and the next, and save me from the torments of hell-fire!"
v3.c40.s7.3
A moment later he sank peacefully into eternal rest.*
v3.c40.s7.4
It was a quarter past seven in the evening. The body lay in the octagonal tower (Musamman Burj), where life had departed, in full view of the Taj Mahal, where he wished his mortal remains to mingle with those of his queen. Then, at the order of Jahanara, Radandaz Khan, the commandant of Agra fort, and the eunuch Bahlol came inside the harem quarters, and opening the wicket (khirki) in the gate of the fort, sent men out to call Sayyid Muhammad Qanauji and Qazi Qurban of the City to come and prepare the corpse for burial.