Shah Jahan
Shah Jahan, pronounced SHAH juh HAHN (1592-1666), was the fifth ruler of the Mughal empire in India. He became ruler in 1628. During his reign, the Mughal dynasty reached its golden age, with vast treasures and magnificent architecture. Shah Jahan is best remembered for the perfectly proportioned Taj Mahal, an immense tomb of white marble, which he built for his wife in Agra, India. He also built a palace of great splendor in Delhi. These and other buildings still stand as examples of Mughal glory. The Mughal dynasty began its decline because too much money was spent on luxuries and too much effort was wasted in war. Shah Jahan's reign was a troubled one, and one of his sons took his throne by force.
Excerpt adapted from the "Shah Jahan" article, The World Book Encyclopedia © 1999