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THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
(NOVEMBER, 1914.
not conclusively proved, certainly is not disproved. much nearer the truth than that made current by Although it may be reasonably regarded as impro- the authority of Elphinstone. It is not unreasonable bable, it cannot be dismissed summarily as incredible to hold that Tavernier's exceptionably favourable I should like to treat the scandal as a product opinion may have been biassed by the fact that of the prurient imagination of a corrupt court and Shahjahan was a good customer for his jewels. credulous populace. All officials of long experience The more I study Shahjahân the less estimable know that the people of India, even to this day, he appears, and I regret that it is impossible to feel are prepared to believe the most fantastic stories assured that he was incapable of the disgusting concerning their rulers' imaginary crimes. De. offence charged against him by De Lait, Herbert, cent Christian, British gentlemen are often credited and later writers. In such a case conclusive with atrocious iniquities, such as kidnapping evidence is not to be had, and different people may and murdering victims in order to place their legitimately form divergent opinions concerning bodies under the foundations of bridges. In an the value of the existing testimony as fully set atmosphere of that kind the exceptionally affec. forth in this article. tionate relations between Shahjahan and his Although that evidence must have been known daughter, which certainly existed, would readily more or less completely to Mr. Beale, and his Afford occasion for the most malignant possible editor Mr. Keene, the second edition of the Oriontal interpretation. The informants of De Lait, who. Biographical Dictionary (1894) treats Jâhâ para ever they may have been, no doubt believed the Begam (Begam Sahib) as a saint. We are told scandal current in India, and it is evident that
that the name of Jahen Årá will ever adorn the their report was accepted by both De Laët and
pages of history as a bright example of filial attachHerbert in good faith and with conviction. The
ment and heroic self-devotion to the dictates of strangeet part of the business is that the scandal
duty, more especially when we view it in contrast should have become current so soon after the with the behaviour of her sister Roshan Ara, who, death of Mumtaz Malal, and should have reached by aiding the ambitious designs of Aurangzeb, BO quickly the ears of the Dutch merchants at enabled him to dethrone Shahinhân. The Amiahla Surat, who personally transmitted the story to and accomplished Jahân Årå not only supported Europe. That wide and early diffusion of the story
her aged father in his adversity, but voluntarily undoubtedly supports the view of those, who like resigned her liberty and resided with him during Wheeler, are convinced of the truth of the accusa- his imprisonment in the fort of Agra. Her tomb tion. Shahjahan had a very evil nature, and was is of white marble, open at the top, and at the utterly devoid of scruple. He has received from head is a tablet with a Persian inscription inlaid modern historians, except Wheeler, treatment much in black marble letters, to the following effect :more lenient than he merited. Tavernier's ill. "Let no one scatter over my grave anything but deserved certificate that he was as father of his verdure, for such best becomes the sepulchre of people' was thoughtlessly adopted by Elphinstone, one who had a humble mind." On the margin and so has passed into an article of faith. In is written :-"The perishable faqir Jahan Ara reality, I believe, Shahjahan was in character far Bégam, daughter of Shah Jahan, and the disciple inferior to his son Aurangzeb, and was guilty of of the saints of Chisht, died in the year of the atrocities not less than his to gain the throne. He | Hijra, A. X. 1092." equalled his father Jahangir in cruelty and excelled Whoever will, may believe that charming version him in beastly sensuality, nor did he succeed in of the relations between Shahjahan and his favourite securing good government by the capricious daughter. ferocity which his flatterers extol as his justice [I have used de Laët's book (India Office copy) The beauty and magnificence of the Taj and other and Lethbridge's Ed. extensively in editing architectural works on which he lavished the countlese Vol. II, of Peter Mundy's Travels for the Hukluyt riches wrung from the suffering people have blinded
Society, issued for 1914. Mundy was in Agra in the critical judgment of recent historians.
1630-1633, and tells the story of Shah Jahan's The
alleged incest, but attributes it to his third daughter, European authors of the seventeenth century
- Chimini Beagum,” who died in 1616.-R. C. who unsparingly denounced the many crimes o TEMPLE). Shahjahan formed a judgment of his character
VINCENT A, SMITH.
8. This great monarch reigned roore than forty years, less as a king over his subjects than as a father of his family over his house and children (Tavernier, Travels, transl. Ball. I, 325).
