The Taj Mahal is a symbol of love
Er Arun Patanaik
Jajpur,Nove 10 : The Taj Mahal or the crown of palaces, is an ivory white marble mausoleum on the southern bank of the Yamuna river in the Indian city of Agra, and is proudly listed as one of the seven wonders of the world.
It is hailed as the symbol of love of a husband to his wife. Each and every Indian knows how the Mughal Emperor Shajahan loved his wife Mumtaz, the Persian princess, and built the Taj Mahal in the loving memory of his wife. Interestingly, the Taj Mahal is believed to reflect the different moods of Shajahan’s wife Mumtaz, because it is pinkish in the morning, milky white in the evening and golden when the moon shines.
Even though the Taj Mahal is compared to many things from a woman to paradise, was it really a symbol of love? This question arises because of the fact that just like any other Mughal emperor, Shajahan also had a number of wives among whom Mumtaz Mahal was the third one. Shajahan’s love for Mumtaz is questioned because she died when she was giving birth to their 14th child.
The king was cautioned about the queen’s deteriorating health long before that, when she was giving birth to their seventh child. But at the time, he did not pay heed to the advice, which ultimately cost Mumtaz her life.
Whenever the Taj Mahal is discussed, the focus is immediately placed on Shajahan rather than Mumtaz. Did she really want such a glamorous tomb? What she desired might have been a happy life rather than the pomp and splendour that revolves around her death and tomb.
Even Shajahan’s daughter did not want a grand burial after her death. After the death of Mumtaz, Shajahan even married her younger sister. After doing these ‘great things’, his love for Mumtaz is praised and just like many other buildings that were constructed under his reign, the Taj Mahal would also have been a mere object to showcase his power because he wanted to build another mausoleum opposite the Taj Mahal in black marble.
The mass labour and the time taken to complete this piece of art often goes unnoticed due to the attention given to Shajahan. Many Indians are not even aware of the fact that the Taj Mahal was built by a whopping 22,000 labourers, painters, stonecutters and embroidery artists, and took almost 17 years to be completed with an expenditure of almost 32 million rupees. A very popular myth about the palace is how Shajahan amputated the architect of the Taj Mahal.
This trend of punishing the workers was common during those days and hence it is stated by some that there is a small hole on the ceiling of the main hall perpendicularly above the tombstone of Mumtaz Mahal. It is believed to have been intentionally made by the workers who knew what their fate would be.
But this legend has been proven false as the same person was also the architect of the Red Fort, which was built after the construction of the Taj Mahal. As the years went by, the Taj Mahal became the pride of the country. One of the most majestic man-made creations, the Taj Mahal was covered with a huge scaffold in the 20th century so that it looked like a stockpile of bamboo to bombers.
During the India-Pakistan war in 1971, and after 9/11, the Taj Mahal was protected by camouflaging it with a green cloth. In the present situation, with communalism at its peak, the Taj Mahal often turns out to be the reason behind communal debates. The debates arise due to the fact that people refuse to believe that it was Shajahan who built the Taj Mahal.
Some even state that a huge part of the palace is still kept hidden from the public and that that part houses Hindu architecture. Hence people even filed a case in the Supreme Court stating that a Hindu king had built it. Today, things are getting complicated and the Taj Mahal is facing the threat of pollution. It should be seen and protected as an emblem of national pride.
As Shajahan stated, “Should the guilty seek asylum here, like one pardoned he becomes free from sins. Should a sinner make his way to this mansion, all his past sins are to be washed away. The sight of this mansion creates sorrowing sighs and the sun and the moon shed tears from their eyes. In this world this edifice has been made to display thereby the creator’s glory. ”
Taj Mahal, entitled as one of Seven Wonders of the World, is a must visit to witness the masterpieces of Indian architecture. You can enjoy a same day Taj Mahal tour on your way to Jaipur from Delhi.We all have a beautiful place in our mind.
I have a wonderful place in my mind that makes me believe in true love. Sometimes I think I am the only one who is obsessed with this monument, known throughout the world as the Taj Mahal. In spite of my mind, it is truly a memorable symbol of love touched by my soft red heart.
Taj Mahal, the pearl-like sculpture, is truly a symbol, a proof of unconditional true love and faithful promise for me. Taj Mahal has been voted as one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It started to attract people because of its beauty and the mystery behind it. Shah Jahan, a Muslim ruling Emperor, built the Taj Mahal in the memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal at Agra, India.
When Mumtaz Mahal was still alive, she asked for four promises from Shah Jahan: first, that he built the Taj Mahal after she died; second, that he should marry again; third, that he should be kind to their children; forth, that he visit the tomb on her death anniversary.
It is one of the prime records and proof of the Mughal dynasty history in India. Construction of Taj Mahal began in 1631 and was continued with patience for twenty-two years by the help of about twenty thousand workers. The cost estimated in the year of 1653 was thirty-two million Indian rupees.
Today, that turns out to be about fifty-three billion Indian rupees. The main south entrance gate is like a brick floral scarf to a woman’s face. Standing inside the entrance gate, the Taj is garmented by a central dome framed by a central arch.
A green carpet of garden runs from the main gate to the foot of the Taj Mahal. Garden describes its abundance of roses, daffodils, and fruit trees. At the center of the garden, there is a marble lotus tank pool with a folded border where the Taj’s image is reflected. The size of the monument looked huge as I entered. However, as I came close, it receded to its actual size like some kind of an illusion. The entire building of Taj is standing on a spacious marble rectangular base.
Taj Mahal, built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan for his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal is an international emblem of love. It is believed that the monarch built this glorious monument to keep his promise that he had made to the queen during her lifetime; after Mumtaz Mahal’s death, the emperor ordered to build the most magnificent memorial of the world over the graveyard of his wife.
It took 15 long years and hard work of approximately 20,000 masons, artisans and laborers to construct this exquisite beauty; Shah Jahan was also entombed here after his death. Hence throughout the year, folks of lovebirds are seen posing together in front of Taj Mahal to make their love memorable and life lasting.
It is advisable to be early at Agra on your same day Taj Mahal tour if you want to know the real magic of the monument. With passing time, Taj Mahal changes colour. As the first sun rays touch the white marble structure, it is pink and under the afternoon sun it is pure white while the Taj glitters like gold under moonlight; it is said that the changing colours reflect the changing moods of the queen.
Mughals were great patronage of art and culture and hence Taj Mahal, one of the finest architectures of the Mughal era exhibits intricate carvings and colourful motifs; along with marble and sandstone, 28 varieties of stones, including the priceless lapis lazuli were used to design this opulent structure. The mosaic floors and the marble minarets are studded with semi-precious stones while this symmetrical structure is located over a raised platform.
The floral motifs enhance the beauty of Taj Mahal. The bright coloured flowers with fruits and branches represent abundance; every art that embellish Taj Mahal is symbolic. The calligraphy over black marble is just like an ornament on the spellbinding white architecture. Beautifully handwritten, these verses praise the God and the queen in Arabic and Thuluth inscriptions.
If your want some relaxation on the same day Taj Mahal tour, rest your tired feet at the lush green garden which encircles the monument. Popularly known as ‘charbagh,’ this square garden is divided into four parts and has two walkways.
Located at the banks of River Yamuna, the garden is fed with the waters of this river and hence is bright and green throughout the year. Several canals and fountains adorn this royal garden. The same day Taj Mahal tour also takes you to the world heritage site of Agra Fort where Shah Jahan was imprisoned in his last days.
You can also checkout the Mehtab Bagh located very near to Taj Mahal and which also offers a clear view of the monument; hence if you have less time in hand and want to avoid the crowd, Mehtab Bagh is the best place to see Taj.
