---
title: "Padshahnama: Shah Jahan's Court Chronicle | Model Diplomat"
description: "The Padshahnama is Shah Jahan's illustrated chronicle, valued for its Persian prose and miniatures, important for understanding Mughal history in UPSC studies."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/padshahnama"
---

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Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- The Padshahnama is the official illustrated court chronicle of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, recording his reign in Persian prose and miniature painting.
- Who wrote the Padshahnama and during whose reign?
- How does the Padshahnama differ from the Akbarnama and the Jahangirnama?
- Why is the Windsor manuscript of the Padshahnama significant?
- Why do historians treat the Padshahnama as a problematic source?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated June 22, 2026

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Example

In 1799 Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula of Awadh presented the illustrated Padshahnama manuscript to King George III, an act of cultural diplomacy that placed Shah Jahan's official chronicle in Britain's Royal Collection at Windsor Castle.

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