The magnificent marble tomb was built between 1631 and 1653 by Shah Jahan,
the Emperor of Agra. The Taj Mahal was built in memory of his wife Mumtaz,
who died in childbirth. The Taj depicts the eternal love of man for a woman.
Inside are the tombs of the Shah Jahan and his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Shahjahan
created his vision of the world in the form of Taj, not as it is, rather it
should be-peace,harmonious and pure.
As she lay on her deathbed, she asked for three promises that she whispered
in Shahjahan ears. One of the promise was to built the monument that would
symbolize the beauty of their love. As a tribute to a beautiful woman and as
a monument to enduring love, the Taj reveals its subtleties at leisure.
The Taj Mahal, the eternal beauty, was built by a lover as a memorial to
his beloved wife. Shah Jahan, the Prince Khurram, was born in 1592. His
father was Jahangir, the fourth Mughal emperor of India. According to
legend, the prince met Arjumand Banu Begum, Mumtaz Mahal, the daughter of
his father's prime minister, at a bazaar when he was 14 and she was 15.
Smitten, the prince bought a diamond from the girl for 10,000 rupees, then
went to his father and announced his desire to marry her.
In 1612, the two lovers bound themselves in a sacred relationship. From
that time they were inseparable. After becoming emperor in 1628, Shah Jahan
entrusted Arjumand Banu with the royal seal. He called her Mumtaz Mahal,
that meant the jewel of the palace. She accompanied him on military
campaigns, advised him on affairs of state, and was loved by his subjects
for her charitable work
Many architects from all over the world have adjudged it as the most
perfect and beautiful of all buildings standing on earth. The architecture
of this tomb is completely Mohammedan. It is said that the Maharajah of
Jaipur sent the marble as a gift to Shah Jahan. It took over 20,000 workmen
and 22 years to build the Taj. Experts were brought from all over the world,
including Italy and France.
