For centuries, the Taj Mahal
has inspired poets, painters and musicians to try and capture its
elusive magic in word, colour and song. It is one of
the
most flawless architectural creations of the world. Since the 17th
century, travellers have crossed continents to come and see this
ultimate memorial to love, and few have been unmoved by its incomparable
beauty. Taj Mahal stands in the city of Agra, in the northern Indian
state of Uttar Pradesh, on the banks of the Yamuna River. It was
built in the memory of the beautiful Arjumand Bano Begum, who won
the heart of a Mughal prince. She was married at 21 to Emperor Jahangir’s
third son Prince Khurram and stayed loyally by his side through
good times and bad: in the luxurious royal palaces of Agra as well
as the transient tents of war camps.
In
AD 1628, Khurram became king after a bloody battle of succession: he
took the name Shahjahan or “King of the World” and
showered his beloved begum with the highest titles. She became
Mumtaz Mahal, the exalted of the palace and Mumtaz-ul-Zamani, the
exalted of the Age. But Mumtaz Mahal was not destined to be queen
for long.
In 1631, Shahjahan went on an expedition to
the south and, as always, Mumtaz Mahal accompanied him. But she died
in childbirth at Burhanpur. She had borne Shahjahan fourteen
children, of whom four sons and three daughters survived. When
Mumtaz Mahal died, she was just 39 years old. Shahjahan was
inconsolable and contemporary chronicles tell of the royal court
mourning for two years. there was no music, no feasting, and no
celebration of any kind.
Epitome of LoveTaj
Mahal Shahjahan, who was a passionate builder, now decided to erect
a memorial to his queen in pristine marble that the world would
never forget. The site selected for the tomb was a garden by the
Yamuna river, unshadowed by any other structure. The garden had been
laid by Raja Man Singh of Amber and now belonged to his grndson,
Raja Jai Singh. By a royal firman, Shahjahan gave Jai Singh four
havelis in exchange for the garden. The site was also chosen because
it was located on a bend in the river, and so could be seen from
Shahjahan’s personal palace in Agra Fort, further upstream.
