Peacock Throne by Shah Jahan (Delhi, India — 1628)
Peacock Throne by Shah Jahan (Delhi, India — 1628) — an illustrated arts story, set in India. 10 illustrated pages, free to read on Wonder Arts.
Page 1
Shah Jahan, the fifth Mughal emperor, gazes upon his completed Peacock Throne in 1648. The throne, a breathtaking testament to Mughal artistry, took seven years to create and cost nearly twice the treasury of the Mughal Empire. Its dimensions were staggering: twelve feet long, eight feet wide, and adorned with an estimated ten million rupees' worth of jewels, including the famed Koh-i-Noor diamond.
"Shah Jahan murmurs, almost to himself, 'Now, the world will truly see the magnificence of my reign."
Art Fact: The Peacock Throne, also known as the Takht-e-Taus, was not just a seat of power; it was a symbol of the Mughal Empire's wealth, artistry, and imperial ambition.
Page 2
Prince Khurram, later Shah Jahan, spends hours observing the craftsmanship in the royal workshops. The meticulous work of the goldsmiths, jewelers, and lapidaries captivates him, sparking a lifelong appreciation for the arts. He believes that beauty is a gateway to the divine. He asks questions of every master craftsman, eager to absorb every detail.
"Young Khurram asks Ustad Ahmad Lahauri, the master architect: 'Master, how do you decide which jewel goes where? What guides your hand when setting a diamond?' Lahauri replies, 'Prince, it is not just the value, but the harmony. Each stone must sing with the others.'"
Art Fact: The early exposure to the imperial workshops shaped the young prince's aesthetic sensibilities and fueled his future patronage of the arts.
Page 3
During a diplomatic mission to Badakhshan, Prince Khurram encounters a rare shipment of lapis lazuli. The deep blue stone, with its shimmering gold flecks, ignites his imagination. He sees in it the color of the heavens, the emblem of divine power. He knows immediately it must feature prominently in his future projects.
"An elderly trader tells the Prince, 'Your Highness, this lapis comes from the heart of the mountains. It is said to hold the secrets of the cosmos.' Prince Khurram responds, 'Then it shall adorn a throne fit for the heavens themselves!'"
Art Fact: Lapis Lazuli, revered across cultures for its celestial hue, became a signature element in Shah Jahan's artistic commissions.
Page 4
His marriage to Mumtaz Mahal solidifies Khurram's power and provides him with the means to realize his grand artistic visions. He commissions the finest artisans from across the empire. 'Remember,' he tells them, 'what Leonardo da Vinci said: 'Painting embraces all the ten functions of the eye; that is to say: darkness, light, body and colour, substance and form, motion and rest, distance and proximity.' Let every facet of this throne reflect the unity of purpose.'
"Mumtaz Mahal advises him, 'Do not only seek beauty, my love, but also immortality. Let this throne be a testament to our reign that will endure the ages."
Art Fact: Shah Jahan's marriage to Mumtaz Mahal was not only a love story but a strategic alliance that fueled his artistic ambitions.
Page 5
The legendary Koh-i-Noor diamond arrives in Agra, a gift from a newly subjugated kingdom. Its immense size and brilliance astonish even Shah Jahan. He declares it the centerpiece of the Peacock Throne, a symbol of his unrivaled power and the empire's reach. He sees the stone as a gift from God.
"Shah Jahan exclaims, 'This diamond...it is as radiant as the sun! It shall be the eye of the peacock, the light of our throne!' An advisor cautions, 'Your Majesty, such a stone brings great responsibility.'"
Art Fact: The Koh-i-Noor diamond, a symbol of power and conquest, became inextricably linked to the Peacock Throne and the Mughal Empire.
Page 6
Ustad Ahmad Lahauri, the chief architect, presents the final design for the Peacock Throne to Shah Jahan. The throne, crafted from solid gold and encrusted with precious stones, will be elevated on a platform, symbolizing the emperor's elevated status. The design incorporates peacocks, symbols of royalty and beauty, with their tails spread in a magnificent display. Lahauri says to the Shah: 'As Aristotle said, 'The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance.' The Peacock Throne, your majesty, is a work of beauty, and it is more than just a seat.'
"Shah Jahan approves the design, stating, 'Let it be known that this throne is not just a seat, but a window to paradise. It should bring glory to God."
Art Fact: Ustad Ahmad Lahauri, the architect of the Taj Mahal, also played a key role in designing the Peacock Throne.
Page 7
For seven years, hundreds of artisans toil day and night, transforming raw materials into a breathtaking masterpiece. Goldsmiths hammer gold into intricate shapes, jewelers meticulously set precious stones, and lapidaries polish gems to a dazzling shine. The construction of the Peacock Throne tests the limits of human skill and endurance. People speak of the throne as it were a temple.
"One exhausted artisan tells another, 'We must not falter. This throne will be our legacy. We must make it as perfect as we possibly can.' The other replies, 'But how can it be perfect? Nothing in this world is perfect!'"
Art Fact: The construction of the Peacock Throne was a massive undertaking, requiring the skills and dedication of hundreds of artisans.
Page 8
Finally, the Peacock Throne is complete. Its magnificence is breathtaking. Shah Jahan ascends the throne for the first time, feeling the weight of its power and the splendor of its beauty. It is a symbol of the Mughal Empire's wealth, artistry, and imperial ambition. The court erupts in applause.
"Shah Jahan proclaims, 'Let this throne be a beacon of justice and prosperity for all my subjects. Let it remind us that true power lies not in conquest, but in compassion and wisdom.' An advisor replies, 'Your Majesty, the throne is truly a magnificent work of art!'"
Art Fact: The completion of the Peacock Throne marked the zenith of Mughal artistic achievement and imperial power.
Page 9
Centuries later, in 1739, Nadir Shah of Persia invades Delhi and plunders the Peacock Throne. The iconic throne is dismantled and carried away, a symbol of the Mughal Empire's decline. The Koh-i-Noor diamond is taken with it. The grandeur and glory of the Mughal era are lost forever.
"A Mughal official laments, 'Our empire...our glory...all taken away! What will become of us now?' Another responds, 'As the poet Rumi said, 'Don't grieve. Anything you lose comes round in another form.' Perhaps one day, we shall reclaim what is ours.'"
Art Fact: The plunder of the Peacock Throne by Nadir Shah marked a turning point in Mughal history, signaling the decline of their empire.
Page 10
Though the original Peacock Throne is lost, its legend endures. Replicas and artistic interpretations continue to inspire awe and wonder. Shah Jahan's vision lives on, a testament to the enduring power of art and the pursuit of beauty. The longing for the throne is a feeling that exists today.
"A modern historian reflects, 'The Peacock Throne may be gone, but its spirit remains. It reminds us that even the most magnificent creations are fleeting, but the human desire for beauty and power is eternal.'"
Art Fact: The Peacock Throne's legacy extends beyond its physical existence, inspiring artists, historians, and dreamers for generations to come.
About this story
- Location: India
- Audience: general readers
Questions and answers
Questions and answers about Peacock Throne by Shah Jahan (Delhi, India — 1628)
Read Wonder Arts on your phone
Wonder Arts is available on Android and iPhone and iPad. Get Wonder Arts on Google Play · Get Wonder Arts on the App Store.
More Wonder Arts stories
- Perseus with the Head of Medusa by Benvenuto Cellini (Florence, Italy — 1554)
- Petra (Ma'an, Jordan — c. 5th Century BC)
- Pietà by Michelangelo (Vatican City, Rome — 1499)
- Ploughing in the Nivernais by Rosa Bonheur (France — 1849)
- Pointillism by Georges Seurat (Paris, France — 1886)
- Polonaises by Frédéric Chopin (Paris, France — 1840s)