How to Pronounce Shah Jahan (in Persian & Hindustani)

Meaning and Context

Shah Jahan, born Shihab-ud-din Muhammad Khurram on January 5, 1592, was the fifth Mughal Emperor, ruling the vast Mughal Empire from 1628 until 1658. His reign is often described as the golden age of Mughal architecture, characterized by an unparalleled refinement in design and an extravagant use of white marble and precious inlay work. While his most iconic and enduring legacy is the Taj Mahal, built in Agra as a mausoleum for his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, his architectural patronage extended far beyond. His ambitious projects also include the magnificent Red Fort in Delhi with its elegant Diwan-i-Khas, the stunning Jama Masjid in Delhi, and the exquisite Moti Masjid within the Agra Fort. Shah Jahan's era was marked by immense wealth and cultural flourishing, though his later years were marred by a bitter war of succession, leading to his imprisonment in the Agra Fort by his son, Aurangzeb, until his death in 1666. His title, Shah Jahan, translates from Persian as "King of the World," a fitting epithet for a ruler whose monumental constructions continue to define the visual heritage of India and attract millions of tourists to historical sites in Agra and Delhi.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The primary spelling of the emperor's name is Shah Jahan, which is the standard Romanization from Persian and Hindustani. A common variant is Shah Jehan, where the 'e' reflects an alternative transliteration of the same sound. Frequent misspellings and typos arise from phonetic guesses or autocorrect errors, such as "Shah Jahan" (incorrectly doubling the 'h'), "Shah Jahan," or "Shahjahan" (often run together as a single word, which is less conventional). In historical texts, one might occasionally encounter the more formal Shah Jahan I to distinguish him from later namesakes. Confusion also sometimes arises with the spelling of his birth name, Khurram, which can be misspelled as "Khurum" or "Khuram." When referencing his architectural works, it is crucial to distinguish the correct spelling of Taj Mahal from common errors like "Taj Mehal" or "Taj Mahhal."

Example Sentences

The luminous white marble of the Taj Mahal, commissioned by the grief-stricken Shah Jahan, changes hue beautifully from dawn to dusk.

Historians often debate whether the immense resources expended on Shah Jahan's architectural projects weakened the Mughal Empire's economic foundations.

During his imprisonment in the Agra Fort, Shah Jahan was said to have a view of the Taj Mahal, the eternal symbol of his love and loss.

The intricate pietra dura inlay work on the walls of the Diwan-i-Khas in the Red Fort exemplifies the zenith of craftsmanship achieved under Shah Jahan's patronage.

While the Taj Mahal rightfully claims global fame, Shah Jahan's vision also fundamentally reshaped the urban landscape of Shahjahanabad, the walled city that is now Old Delhi.

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