Monarch of his empire.

Military commander.

Multiple wives.

Rampant capital punishment.

Medieval mentality.

(But seen by many as a moderate.)

Personal untold riches.

Financial prosperity for his kingdom.

Architectural construction boom.

Are we discussing Shah Jahan of the Mughals or King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia?

No wonder US President Barack Obama was hard-pressed for a choice between Shah Jahan’s Taj Mahal and King Abdullah’s funeral and finally chose the latter!

© Sunil Rajguru