Shah Jahan pursued sound fiscal policies and accumulated enough money to indulge his pas sion for building. Building activity in the monarchical cultures, as in the case of earlier rulers, was the most visible and tangible sign of dynastic power, wealth, and prestige. In the case of Muslim rulers, it was also considered an act of piety. In 1648, the court, army, and household moved from Agra to the newly completed imperial capital, Shahjahanabad. It was a new addi tion to the old residential city of Delhi, with the Red Fort, Jama Masjid, a tree-lined esplanade with Chandni Chowk.
