Dagger sells for $3.3 million

LONDON -- A dagger used by the emperor who built the Taj Mahal sold Thursday for $3.3 million, an auction house said.

The dagger once belonged to 17th century Mogul emperor Shah Jahan, whose empire spanned the entire Indian subcontinent and what is now Afghanistan, Bonhams auctioneers said.

A royal emblem and dates inscribed on the curved-tip blade suggest it was made in 1630 for the emperor’s 39th birthday. Shah Jahan’s name and title are also inscribed on the blade. There is only one other known Shah Jahan blade, which is held in a private collection.

The dagger sold for three times its expected auction price.

It was the top seller in a group of weapons, armor, early pottery and works of art that belonged to late Belgian collector Jacques Desenfans.