This study analyses the nature of the governing class during the reign of Shahjahan. Based on the major published and unpublished sources, it examines numerical strength and ethno-religious composition of the nobility. It confirms that racial or religious factors played but a marginal role in the political life of this group. This work highlights the role of the nobility as mansabdars, jagirdars and as administrators at various levels. Pertaining to the three proposed phases of this reign, three appendices are preapred with the help of contemporary records which contain detailed lists of Shahjahani nobles. Most of the conclusions of the author are based on this immense material. \n