A History of Agriculture in India v2.c82.2

v2.c82.2

SHAH JAHAN succeeded Jahangir as the Emperor of India in January 1628. He was a handsome man with sharp features and a pointed trimmed beard. In a contemporary portrait he is depicted standing on a marble throne amidst flowering shrubs (Fig. 54). Shah Jahan was fond of good life and delighted in gardens, palaces and women. The Mughal empire had become stable and prosperous. Shan Jahan raised a number of monumental buildings. Describing some of the buildings Mufazzal Khan states, ‘Such a magnificent and beautiful fort of red stone was built on the banks of the Jamuna that no building like it was ever constructed by any of the kings who had ruled in India. Besides other magnificent works, the Peacock throne was made by this monarch, which was set with all kinds of precious stones. It was prepared at the expense of nine krors, nine lacs and one thousand rupees. The Mosque of Jama Jahan-numa was built near the fort under the superintendence of Sadu-lla Khan, at the expence of ten lacs of rupees.’¹ Shahi mosque, as it is known, is a work of elegance and grandeur.