Shah Jahan, Emperor (b. January 5, 1592, Lahore-d. January 22, 1666, Agra), fifth ruler of the Mughal dynasty of North India (r. 1627-1658); succeeded his father, Emperor JAHANGIR. As Shah Jahan, the title he assumed when he ascended the Mughal throne, he is best known as the builder of the Taj Mahal. Originally it was the tomb for his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, but also became his final resting-place. As Prince Khurram, his fortunes were sporadically linked with Mewar. In 1614, Khurram led a substantial army from Ajmer to attack Mewar. He camped with his Mughals at GOGUNDA, 36 km. northeast of Udaipur. Maharana AMAR SINGH I could muster only a handful of chieftains to meet the approaching enemy. Realising the futility of a battle with the odds heavily against them, the Mewar government pressured Amar into negotiating a peace treaty with Emperor Jahangir. With reluctance, Amar sent two of his nobles to Khurram with a peace proposal. In turn, Prince Khurram sent a message to his father, Emperor Jahangir in Ajmer, recommending there was no surer way of earning approbation of the Maharana than by maintaining friendly relations with Mewar. The Emperor agreed and issued a farman (decree) for the ramification of the negotiated terms, which were based on Maharana Amar Singh's own conditions. The two men met at Gogunda in February 1615, and signed the document. One of the Emperor's terms of the treaty was that Amar's heir, Crown Prince KARAN SINGH spend two months at the Mughal court. While there, Karan, who was 31 at the time, kept receiving extraordinary gifts every day. Also, he and his family's recent aggressor, Prince Khurram, became firm friends; it was a friendship that was to be called upon during Karan Singh's subsequent reign. Because of Amar Singh's carefully considered terms, Mewar remained the only independent Rajput kingdom of the northern empire. Despite this, Amar went into a deep depression and died in 1620. The 36-year-old Karan Singh succeeded him.

Khurram was clever and ambitious, but was a few brothers removed from being heir apparent to the Mughal throne. Over the next few years, the brothers ahead of him were removed in what might be called 'suspicious circumstances'. Khurram was not well liked at Court, particularly by Empress Nur Jahan, despite the fact the prince had married her niece, Mumtaz Mahal. She wanted Prince Shahriyar (a younger son by one of Jahangir's lesser wives) to be named successor, mainly because he had married Nur Jahan's daughter, which would assure the Empress of continued power at Court. So Nur Jahan worked on her husband. Realising his ambitions were being thwarted, Khurram rebelled against his father, and was supported by a strong Rajput fraternity. When the Imperial Army put down his revolt, Khurram called upon his friendship with Karan Singh. He was readily afforded refuge in Udaipur. Mumtaz and two of their young sons, Dara and Aurangzeb were with him. Originally, they were allocated apartments in the City Palace. At the time the island palace of Jag Mandir was under construction, and a special domed mansion was built there for the Mughal prince. It became known, appropriately, as Khurram's Palace. There the rebel lived a quiet, safe existence for some months.

Meanwhile, in an effort to placate his father, and as a gesture of his intent, Khurram sent his two young sons to the Mughal Court, as hostages. Ultimately, Prince Khurram was forgiven, and he rejoined his father. Before he left Jag Mandir, Khurram embraced his gracious host and longtime friend, Maharana Karan Singh and, in a traditional ritual of respect, they exchanged turbans. As a further mark of respect, and no doubt a 'thank you' for his stay in Udaipur, Khurram restored five districts of Mewar taken by the Mughals, gave Karan Singh permission to reconstruct its old capital at Chittor. He also presented his friend with a ruby of inestimable value. Emperor Jahangir died suddenly in 1627. Very quickly, pretenders to the Mughal throne, including Nur Jahan's son-in-law Shahriyar, were killed; Nur Jahan retired from public life; and Khurram was proclaimed the new Emperor of the mighty Mughal Empire. In 1658, his son, Aurangzeb, imprisoned his father in the Fort at Agra, and assumed control of the Mughal Empire. Shah Jahan died in captivity in 1666.

Shahbaj Khan, a commander in Mughal Emperor Akbar's army. On October 15, 1578, Akbar sent Shahbaj Khan to Mewar with Kunwar Man Singh and Bhagwandas. Shahbaj Khan wanted to capture Kumbhalgarh but thinking that Man Singh and Bhagwandas, being Rajputs, would not perform to the best of their ability against Maharana Pratap Singh I, he sent both back to the Mughal court. He then captured Kelwara and then attacked Kumbhalgarh on April 3, 1578, and occupied it. On December 25, 1578, Akbar again sent Shahbaj Khan to Mewar, but Pratap's guerilla warfare tactics frustrated the commander. After posting his army at important check points, he returned to the Mughal court. In 1882, Akbar, annoyed with Shabaj Khan, put him in charge of Raisal Darbari. Later, Pratap, having received new funding from his Treasurer BHAMA SHAH, returned from his temporary abandonment of Mewar, attacking Diwer along the way, where Shabaj Khan and his force was stationed, and slaughtering the Mughal commander.

Shahibdeen (court painter): see SAHIBDIN.

Shahpura (Sisodia), a town 195 km. from Udaipur in the Bhilwara District; the jagir (estate) of Surajmal, second son of Maharana Amir Singh I; their title is 'Raja Dhiraj'. Surajmal had two sons, Sujan Singh and Veeramdeo. During Shah Jahan's period, Sujan joined the service of the Emperor, who gave him the district of Phoolia and a mansab (military posting) of 800 Jat (foot soldiers) and 300 Sawar (horse or horsemen). In 1643, Sujan Singh's mansab was raised to 1,000 Jat and 500 Sawar, and in 1645, to 1,500 Jat and 700 Sawar. Later, he went to Kandahar with Mughal Prince Aurangzeb and, in 1651, his mansab was again raised, to 2,000 Jat and 800 Sawar. When Shah Jahan sent his army, under the command of Saddulla Khan, to Chittor to demolish a wall that had been restored in contravention of the 1615 treaty (see AMAR SHINGH I, MAHARANA), Sujan Singh was with him. To revenge Sujan's ungrateful act, Maharana Raj Singh I attacked Shahpura (1658) and exacted a penalty of Rs. 22,000/-. Maharana Raj Singh also burnt the area governed by Sujan's younger brother, Veeramdeo. Later, Shah Jahan sent Sujan to Dharmat to assist Maharana Jaswant Singh in his fight against the rebellious Prince Aurangzeb. There, Sujan died with his 5 sons. Veeramdeo, Sujan's brother, also left the Maharana and joined Shah Jahan, where he received the mansab of 800 Jat and 400 Sawar. He fought bravely in the Kandahar expeditions and his mansab was raised to 3,000 Jat and 1,000 Sawar. At the battle of Samugadh, Veeramdeo was in the first flank of Mughal Prince Dara's force against Prince Aurangzeb. After Dara was defeated, Veeramdeo went over to Aurangzeb. Later, he was sent to Assam with Ram Singh of Jaipur. After this, he returned to Mathura with Safshikan Khan, where he died around 1688.

Fateh Singh, elder son of Sujan Singh was also killed at Dharmat, and Fateh's son, a minor, succeeded him. Six years later, Sujan's fourth son, Daulat Singh, usurped Shahpura and became its ruler. (Fateh's descendants are now at Gangwas and Barliawas.) When Aurangzeb attacked Maharana Raj Singh, Daulat was in the Mughal army. Daulat's son, Bharat Singh, fought for Maharana Sangram Singh II in the battle against Mewati Ranbaj Khan. Bharat was imprisoned by his son, Umaid Singh, and died in prison. Umaid Singh wanted to make his younger son, Zalim Singh, his successor; to do this; he poisoned his elder son, Udyot Singh. He even wanted to kill his grandson (i.e., Udyot's son) and sent a soldier to commit the heinous act. The soldier struck but missed, only wounding him. At that moment, Ran Singh's son, Bhim Singh, aged only 14, killed the soldier, and Umaid's dream to make Zalim his successor was foiled. Many of Mewar's nobles were against Maharana Ari Singh II (1761-1773). Ari Singh wooed Umaid Singh to his side and gave him the Paragna Kachola (District of Kachola). Umaid died at Ujjain (see UJJAIN, BATTLE OF), fighting for the Maharana against Madhav Rao SINDHIA. In 1869, Nahar Singh, who had been adopted, became the ruler of Shahpura (he had been the son of Balwant Singh of Dhanop). In 1903, the British awarded him the K.C.I.E., and entitled him to a 9-gun salute. He became a member of the MEHDRAJ SABHA. Later, he refused to go into the service of Maharana FATEH SINGH, claiming to be an independent ruler. However, the British ruled that he would have to comply, every second year, and pay Rs. 1 Lakh to the Maharana as a penalty for not attending his Court.

Genealogy: Surajmal; Sujan Singh; Himmat Singh; Daulat Singh; Bharat Singh; Umaid Singh; Ran Singh; Bhim Singh; Amar Singh; Madho Singh; Jagat Singh; Laxman Singh; Nahar Singh.

Shakta: see SAKTA SINGH, KUNWAR.

Shakti Kumar, Rawal, twentieth ruler of Mewar (977-993); succeeded Rawal SHALIWAHAN and ruled from Ahar. Very little is known of his sixteen-year reign. His son, AMBA PRASAD, succeeded him. See also MEWAR'S LOST GENERATIONS.

Shakti Singh. There were a several leading members of clans who had this name. They came from Bagore (Ranawat), and Kherabad (Baba). Of importance was Maharaj Shakti Singh of BAGORE; fourth son of Maharaj Sher Singh. When Sher Singh's third son, Maharaj Samarth Singh died without issue (early deaths having cheated the first two sons of their inheritance), the then Maharana, Shambhu Singh (1861-1874) gave Bagore to Shakti's younger brother, Sohan. Shakti revolted against the royal decision but was arrested and sent to Benares (Varanasi). As if to add further insult, the Maharana, being without an heir, adopted Shakti's son, Sajjan, who eventually succeed to the Mewar throne as Maharana Sajjan Singh (1874-1884). On the death of Sohan Singh, Shakti Singh succeeded as the next Maharaj of Bagore.

Shakti Singh, Kunwar: see SAKTA SINGH, KUNWAR.

Shaliwahan, Rawal, nineteenth ruler of Mewar (r. 973-977); succeeded Rawal NARWAHAN and ruled from Ahar. Among Shaliwahan's sons were Shakti Kumar and Sadeventji. Very little is known of his four-year reign. Crown Prince SHAKTI KUMAR succeeded him. See also MEWAR'S LOST GENERATIONS.

Shambhu Kunj: see CHARBHUJA TEMPLE.

Shambhu Niwas (Nivas) Palace, Udaipur, an impressive building on the southern end of the City Palace, and adjoining Fateh Prakash. Behind a high iron fence and double gates, a sweeping driveway encircles a central fountain. The palace has high-ceiling rooms with wooden beams supporting the ceilings and an extensive western terrace that has a magnificent view of Pichola Lake, Jag Mandir and the Lake Palace. Built at the turn of century by Maharana SHAMBHU SINGH (1861-1874), it is now the official residence, business office and venue for private functions of the present head of the Mewar Dynasty, ARVIND SINGH MEWAR, and is not open to the public.

Shambhu Ratna Pathsala, Udaipur; at the rear of the Jagdish Temple. Originally Mewar's first primary school, established by Maharana Shambhu Singh, then a library, today it is used as a girls' school.

Shambhu Singh. Apart from Maharana Shambu Singh, there were a couple of leading members of clans who had this name. They came from Bagore (Ranawat), and Sanwar (Ranawat).

Shambhu Singh, Maharana (b. December 22, 1847-d. October 7, 1874), seventy-first ruler of the Mewar Dynasty (r. 1861-1874); he succeeded his adoptive father, Maharana SWAROOP SINGH on November 17, 1861 and ruled from Udaipur for thirteen years during the time of the British Raj. Shambhu's father, Shardul Singh of BAGORE, was imprisoned after an unsuccessful attempt to poison his uncle, Maharana Swaroop Singh, and died in prison. Thus when very young, Shambhu succeeded as Maharaj of Bagore before being adopted (just before his fourteenth birthday) by Maharana Swaroop Singh, who had no natural heir, barely one month before the Maharana died. Despite his father's ignominy, he succeeded to the Mewar throne. When the boy ascended the throne he was a totally inexperienced teenager, completely vulnerable in political matters and on a personal level. A council handled his official duties, with the British in the background to keep Mewar on a sound administrative course. However, opportunists at Court exploited the youth, and he quickly succumbed to the temptation of sexual pleasures, which quite shocked the prudish British. Shambhu banished from Court anyone who tried to interfere with his licentious lifestyle, including his own mother. The British, under Agent Lieutenant-Colonel Eden, instigated several much-needed reforms, including a reorganised police force, improved civil and criminal courts, and the construction of main roads. Despite local resentment of the British, who were still considered trespassers, Eden did a splendid job. When the British Government handed control of the State to Shambhu in 1865, his having attained legal majority, Mewar's treasury was well into the black.

Taking on the full powers of the State, Shambhu suddenly changed. Unlike several of his predecessors, he turned his back on the pursuit of impropriety, and began to take his responsibilities seriously. Although illiterate himself, he realised the value of a good education, and built schools for Mewar's youngsters, including its first girls' school in 1866. He even learned English, one of the first of his family to do so. For his dedication to the welfare of his subjects, Queen Victoria decorated Shambu in 1871. His greatest achievement was the building of a magnificent new mansion at the southern end of the City Palace complex, SHAMBHU NIWAS PALACE. With its sweeping driveway and fountains, its ornate turrets and high dome, it was stately and elegant. Later, it became the private residence of ARVIND SINGH MEWAR. So popular had Maharana Shambhu Singh become that, when he died at the early age of 27, there were riots in the streets of Udaipur. The British had to stop the grief-stricken ladies of the zanana from committing mass SATI at his cremation. However, there was a second and more sinister motive behind some of the uproar. It was suspected that relatives, ambitious to take the throne, may have poisoned Shambu. (A post mortem examination by British doctors found no trace of poison; perhaps, they suggested, his death was the result of stomach trouble and his earlier dissipation.) There was really no doubt about succession. Two years after he had succeeded to the throne, possibly aware of future problems with such a young and reckless king, the British had urged him to adopt an heir as well (see also CURSE OF MEWAR). He chose his cousin, SAJJAN SINGH, as his son.

Shambhunath (Shamboonath). There were several leading members of clans who had this name. They came from Barliavas (Ranawat); Falichra (Chauhan), and Gyangadh (Choondawat).

Shardul Singh, first son of Maharaj Sher Singh of BAGORE. He failed to succeed his father because of his unsuccessful attempt to assassinate his uncle, Maharana Swaroop Singh, and died in prison.

Shastri Nagar, a western suburb of Udaipur, on the way to Maharana Pratap Airport and Chittorgarh.

Shastri, Lal Bahadur, original name Bahadur (1904-1966); an active member of (Mahatma) Mohandas K. Gandhi's non-cooperation movement; graduate of the Kashi Vidyapith with the title of Shastri (learned in the scriptures); Indian politician (1952-1964); and prime minister of India (1964-1966). Died January, 1966. Shastri Circle in Udaipur, and Shastri Nagar were named after him.