AR Rupee

Struck: 1631
Mint: Multan
Size: 22.7mm
Weight: 11.39g
Die Axis: ~45°
Grade: Choice EF
Ref: KM-227.8

Obv: Kalima within circle.
Rev: Emperor’s full name and titles.
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Shah Jahan was the fifth Mughal Emperor of India ruling from 1628 until 1658. He was chosen as successor to the throne after the death of his father in 1627. His first act as ruler was to execute his chief rivals and imprison his step mother Nur Jahan in order to elimate any contention to his rule. Shah Jahan was also a more orthodox Muslim than his father Jahangir and grandfather Akbar. His policies towards non-Muslims were far less liberal. He enacted provisions against construction or repair of churches and temples and also ordered the demolitions of some newly built Hindu temples.

Despite these shortcomings, his reign is considered a golden age of the Mughal Empire and it continued to expand moderately during his rule. India became the richest center of the arts, crafts and architecture and had some of the best artisans and writers in the world. His reign is considered the height of Mughal architecture. Shah Jahan erected many monuments, the most famous of which is the Taj Mahal at Agra, built in 1632–1654 as a tomb for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal.

Jahan fell ill in 1658 and his eldest son Dara Shikoh assumed the role of regent. Aurangzeb, the third son, gathered and army and defeated Dara. Although Jahan had recovered by this time, Aurangzeb declared him incompetent and put him under house arrest. Many years later in January 1666, Jahan fell ill with strangury and dysentery. He became progressively weaker and died on the 22nd of January. His body was taken by river to the Taj Mahal and was interred there next to the body of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal.