Shah Jahan’s Reign in Art: From Power to Personal Longing in The Pādshāhnāma and Dynastic Portraits

Abstract

The Mughal Empire (1526-1857) was a pivotal force in South Asian history, governing a diverse populace through military strength, administrative innovation, and cultural fusion. Eschewing religious rigidity, the Mughals cultivated a statecraft rooted in tolerance. Under Shah Jahan (1628-1658), this philosophy transcended policy, manifesting in art and architecture that seamlessly blended Persian, Indian, and Islamic traditions, symbolizing imperial authority. Shah Jahan strategically employed visual culture, particularly paintings and manuscripts, to solidify his rule, unify his subjects, and shape his historical legacy. This paper examines The Pādshāhnāma, Shah Jahan’s official chronicle, to reveal how he collaborated with court historians and artists to construct a narrative obscuring the turbulent political landscape of his ascension. Departing from scholarship focused on cultural syncretism or religious pluralism, the study explores how artistic commissions functioned as instruments of political stability. Artistic depictions of victories and courtly rituals enhanced Shah Jahan’s stature, while personal projects, like the Taj Mahal, introduced a human element to his sovereignty by weaving themes of vulnerability and grief. Ultimately, Mughal art transcended mere documentation of Shah Jahan’s reign; it actively shaped the perception of his rule among the empire’s diverse communities, forging a complex and multifaceted legacy that was both exalted and deeply personal. The analysis refines the understanding of Mughal art’s political function, contributing to the study of visual culture and imperial power in early modern empires.