Administrative and Religious Policy

• Shah Jahan (A’la Azad Abdul Auzaffar Sahab-ud-Din Mohammed Khurram) was the fifth Mughal Emperor, ruling from 1628 to 1658.
• He was chosen as the successor to the Mughal throne after the death of his father, Jahangir, in 1627.
• Shah Jahan is considered one of the greatest Mughal emperors, and his reign is referred to as the Golden Age of the Mughals and one of the most prosperous periods of Indian civilization.
• Like his grandfather Akbar, Shah Jahan was eager to expand the vast Mughal empire.
• In 1658, Shah Jahan fell ill and was confined by his son Aurangzeb in Agra Fort until his death in 1666.
• After Jahangir’s death, the Mughal Empire faced misfortune. While Shah Jahan was away in the Deccan, Nurjahan attempted to seize power by claiming the throne for her son, Shahriyar.
• Asaf Khan, Shah Jahan’s father-in-law, opposed Nurjahan and came out in support of Shah Jahan.
• The rival forces of Shahriyar and Daevar Bakrh met at Lahore, where Shahriyar’s forces were defeated, and Shahriyar was blinded and imprisoned.
• Shah Jahan formally ascended the throne on 6th February 1628. The Khutba was read in his name, and Nurjahan was politely asked to retire, with all coins bearing her name being withdrawn.
• Shah Jahan proclaimed the commencement of a new era amidst regal splendor.
• At the time of Shah Jahan’s accession, the empire’s structure had weakened due to Jahangir’s indecisiveness and the worsening Mansabdari crisis, which led to dissatisfaction among the nobility.
• The nobility, during times of civil war, sided with contenders for the throne instead of the emperor.
• Shah Jahan’s intentions toward the empire and his subjects were above reproach. Like his forefather Akbar, he devoted all his energies to the consolidation of the empire, paying attention to even the minutest details of administration.
• The events of Shah Jahan’s sovereignty can be divided into the following phases:
  1. Policy towards internal rebellion
  2. Policy towards central area
  3. Deccan policy
  4. Administration
  5. Religious policy

Policy towards internal Rebellions

The Bundella Rebellion, 1628A.D.

• Immediately after Shah Jahan’s coronation, the Bundelas, led by Jujhar Singh, rebelled.
• Under Jahangir, the Bundela community had enjoyed a rise in fortune, with Bir Singh Deva, a Bundela leader, being generously rewarded for the murder of Abul Fazl.
• However, Shah Jahan’s relationship with the Bundela Chiefs was more suspicious compared to Jahangir’s, and he was wary of their motives.
• When Jujhar Singh left the capital without imperial permission, Shah Jahan became infuriated and demanded an explanation for the misconduct.
• Confident in his resources and aware of the strategic impenetrability of his territory, Jujhar Singh decided to defy Mughal authority.
• Shah Jahan, equally determined to fight, ordered massive war preparations to quell the rebellion.
• The Bundela territory was surrounded by three armies led by Mahabat Khan (Khan-I-Khanan), Khan-I-Jahan from Malwa, and Firoz Jung from Kanauj.
• Jujhar Singh, unprepared for such a large-scale attack, was caught off guard.
• Efforts by Jujhar Singh to secure peace failed, and in the ensuing battle, his fort was captured, and 2,000 of his men were slain.
• Jujhar Singh was forced to surrender and submit 1,000 gold Muhars, forty elephants, and 15 lakh rupees as tribute.
• His Jagir was reduced to a Mansab of 4,000 Jat and 4,000 Sawar, with the surplus land distributed among loyal nobles.
• Despite the settlement, tranquility was not established permanently.