In the late spring of the next year, in a sprawling cantonment outside the city of Burhanpur, the emperor was directing his troops against Khan Jahan Lodi and simultaneously watching the royal harem for word of his fourteenth child. When the report came, it brought announcement of the birth of a healthy baby girl, but nothing was said of Mumtaz Mahal. For hours Shah Jahan waited impatiently. Still there was no news. A messenger sent to the harem did not return. The alarmed emperor sent another, then a third, but none came back. It grew late, past midnight. Shah Jahan was preparing to go the harem himself when at last a message arrived: the queen was well but very tired, and she wished to be permitted to rest undisturbed for the remaining hours of the night.

The emperor was relieved and he too retired for the night, planning to visit the harem in the morning. But a few hours later he was awakened with the unsettling news that Mumtaz Mahal had suffered a relapse and was calling for him. He immediately dressed and made his way through the maze of war tents, arriving at the harem to find a solemn assembly of doctors grouped around the bedside. The queen was dying.

Everyone was immediately dismissed from the room except for Sati-un-nisa, the queen's favorite lady-in-waiting, and Wazir Khan, her beloved doctor. Wazir Khan feared the worst, he told the emperor, for Mumtaz Mahal had earlier confided to him that she had heard her child cry in the womb before its birth, an ominous portent.

For several hours the emperor sat at the bedside and spoke quietly with Mumtaz Mahal. Toward the early hours of the morning she lost consciousness and before the sun rose she was dead. Legend has it that before dying she extracted two promises from him. One was that he would not beget children on any other wife her death, and the other was that he should build the world's most beautiful mausoleum over her grave. Whether or not the story is true, Shah Jahan certainly had no other children, and he did begin the mausoleum almost immediately after her death.

Work began on the Taj Mahal in 1632. For twenty-two years, 20,000 workers from India, Persia, the Ottoman Empire and Europe labored to construct the Taj Mahal. Spread over an area of 42 acres (17-hectare) the total cost of construction came out to be approximately 32 million Rupees. The site was chosen near the capital Agra, on the southwest bank of the River Yamuna. Although it is not known for sure who planned the Taj, the name of an Indian architect of Persian descent, Ustad Ahmad Lahori, has been cited in many sources.

Surprisingly, the origin of the name "Taj Mahal" is not clear. Court histories from Shah Jahan's reign only call it the rauza (tomb) of Mumtaz Mahal. It is generally believed that "Taj Mahal" (translated as "Crown of the Palace") is an abbreviated version of her name, Mumtaz Mahal. As Peter Mundy and other early travelers refer to the empress in their accounts as "Taje Mahal," the mausoleum may have also acquired the name in the seventeenth century.

The Taj stands on a raised, square platform (186 x 186 feet) with its four corners truncated, forming an unequal octagon. The architectural design uses the interlocking arabesque concept, in which each element stands on its own and perfectly integrates with the main structure. It uses the principles of self-replicating geometry and a symmetry of architectural elements. The five principal elements of the complex namely the main gateway, garden, mosque, jawab (literally "answer"; a building mirroring the mosque), and mausoleum (including its four minarets)- were conceived and designed as a unified entity according to the tenets of Mughal building practice, which allowed no subsequent addition or alteration.

Its central dome is fifty-eight feet in diameter and rises to a height of 213 feet. It is flanked by four subsidiary domed chambers. These four graceful, slender minarets are 162.5 feet each. The entire mausoleum (inside as well as outside) is decorated with inlaid design of flowers and calligraphy using precious gems such as agate and jasper. The main archways, chiseled with passages from the holy Quran and the bold scroll work of flowery pattern, give a captivating charm to its beauty. The central domed chamber and four adjoining chambers include many walls and panels of Islamic decoration.

Marvin Trachtenberg and Isabelle Hyman in their book "Architecture: from Prehistory to Post-Modernism", have described the Taj Mahal thus:

"The mausoleum of the Taj Mahal at Agra stands in a formally laid-out walled garden entered through a pavilion on the main axis. The tomb, raised on a terrace and first seen reflected in the central canal, is entirely sheathed in marble, but the mosque and counter-mosque on the transverse axis are built in red sandstone. The four minarets, set symmetrically about the tomb, are scaled down to heighten the effect of the dominant, slightly bulbous dome. The mosques, built only to balance the composition are set sufficiently far away to do no more than frame the mausoleum. In essence, the whole riverside platform is a mosque courtyard with a tomb at its center. The great entrance gate with its domed central chamber, set at the end of the long watercourse, would in any other setting be monumental in its own right."

"The interior of the building is dimly lit through pierced marble lattices and contains a virtuoso display of carved marble. Externally the building gains an ethereal quality from its marble facings, which respond with extraordinary subtlety to changing light and weather."

Two notable decorative features are repeated throughout the complex: pietra dura and Arabic calligraphy. As embodied in the Mughal craft, pietra dura incorporates the inlay of semiprecious stones of various colors, such as lapis lazuli, jade, crystal, turquoise and amethyst, in highly formalized and intertwining geometric and floral designs. The colors serve to moderate the dazzling expanse of the white Makrana marble. The level of sophistication in the art work becomes obvious when one realizes that a 3 cm decorative element contains more than 50 inlaid gemstones.

Under the direction of Amanat Khan al-Shirazi, Quranic verses were inscribed across numerous sections of the Taj Mahal in calligraphy, the center of Islamic artistic tradition. One of the inscriptions in the sandstone gateway is known as Daybreak (89:28-30) and invites the faithful to enter paradise. Calligraphy also encircles the soaring arched entrances to the mausoleum proper. On closer look, the lettering of the Quran verses around the archways appears to be uniform, regardless of their height. The lettering, spacing and density have been customized to give this impression to the beholder. To ensure its uniform appearance, the lettering increases in size according to its relative height and distance from the viewer.

As a tribute to a beautiful woman and as a monument for enduring love, the Taj reveals its subtleties when one explores it at leisure and not hurriedly. The rectangular base of Taj is in itself symbolic of the different sides from which to view a beautiful woman. The main gate is like a veil to a woman's face, which should be lifted delicately, gently and without haste on the wedding night. As per the charming Indian tradition the veil is lifted gently to reveal the beauty of the bride, in the couple's first night together.

The dome is made of white marble, but the tomb is set against an awesome backdrop of the river and it is this background that works its magic of colors, and through the reflection of these colors transforms the view of the Taj. The colors change at different hours of the day and during different seasons. Like a jewel, the Taj sparkles in moonlight when the semi-precious stones inlaid into the white marble on the main mausoleum catch the glow of the moon. The Taj is pinkish in the morning, milky white in the evening and golden when the moon shines. These changes, they say, depict the different moods of a woman.

It has been said of the Mughals that they designed like giants and finished like jewelers, a fact amply brought out in the Taj Mahal. The wife of a British officer, Colonel Slleman, while writing home, described it thus:

"I cannot tell what I think. I do not know how to criticize such a building but I can tell what I feel. I would die tomorrow to have such another over me."

The poet Rabindranath Tagore has perhaps said it best of all:

"You know Shah Jahan, life and youth, wealth and glory, they all drift away in the current of time. You strove therefore, to perpetuate only the sorrow of your heart. Let the splendor of diamond, pearl and ruby vanish. Only let this one teardrop, this Taj Mahal, glisten spotlessly bright on the cheek of time, forever and ever."

References and Further Reading

• Carroll, David. The Taj Mahal (India Under the Moguls): New York, 1972
• Pal, Pratapaditya. Romance of the Taj Mahal: New Delhi, 1989.
• Saran, Shalini. Taj Mahal (Agra, Fatehpur Sikri): New Delhi, 2001.

This is a very moving story of love of a husband for his wife. The Taj Mahal is a myth that has grown around this kernel of love. But there is also a dimension of history to the Taj Mahal, which Mr P. N. Oak was concerned to bring to the attention of the world. In my blog on <sulekha.com> I have provided a critical assessment of Mr Oak's work.
- Shrinivas Tilak

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Very good! I was absorbed in the great description of the prince's love for his wife. Excellent job!
- Sandhya

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Unmovable, touching statement to show ones love. wish there were men like that in todays day and age!!!! but if we really lucky, and we look hard enough our own Shah Jahan might pitch to the occassion.
- Abigail Brooklyn Ramchund

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I totally agree!!!!! I love the Taj Mahal, I feel so proud that Muslims could do something so amazing. I just wish that more people would know that Muslims built it not Hindus, even if India is an Indian country. No offense to my Hindu buddies!!!!! But its true,right?
- Nabila (nabilauddin@ymail.com)

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I am pleased that, I went to this web site today. beleive me I am proud that the name Khuram has taken me to similar tastes and Admirations. I have to say i am pleased that Khuram Sha jaha has made history.....me being Khuram makes me feel proud I who lives in England, Manchester aged 24, who has a a royal taste of life. I love to be like him and live a life like him for once more..... and I only wish I can meet some one as Arjumand Banu Begam. takecare guys....I will be back!
- Khuram

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it is really very amazing that one person loves to his dead wife until his death
now a days nobody can create a monument for just her promises it is really very amazing
and i must say i will be a man like a shahajahan
- sajan (sajan543@rediffmail.com)

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This is actually true...
the taj was built for the late wife...
and they were both burried there. He was dethroned for spending too much money on it.
Read your history books before you speak idiots
- Sarah

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I think you are the sleeping truth, if you have children I am sorry!!!! You'r ignorance pushes me to save for my childrens education. i'd like to know where you'r resourse comes from???...
- Janet

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maybe you should do your homework guy., you'r obsenniyies speak your education. History will always be with us. We wouldn't exsist without it. Pick up A book!!! Read A line or two....Good-Luck To you guy. Respect what has past.....Appreciate what's to come.....
- priyah

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really!
- sevda

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moi je connais !!!
- mr arbaoui

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salut
- laila

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I loved this story. It is very powerful and loving. My girl said she would like me to do that. She said isn't it nice for a man to build a beautiful structure just for his wife?


it"s really wonderful
- bishwash (bis_pra2000@yahoo.co.in)

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is this true?i need to know, for a school project...
- elizabeth

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I loved this story. It is very powerful and loving. My girl said she would like me to do that. She said isn't it nice for a man to build a beautiful structure just for his wife?
- Mario Torres (lucariop@yahoo.com)

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beautiful story and ã captivating struture.... one of the most beautiful stories EVER 2 be read. movie is being remade with Aishwarya Bachchan as M. Mahal(best choice) and Bipasha Basu as her 14 and final child....i cannot wait to see that movie!!!
- Tanisha T. (tan_jar46@hotmail.com)

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i wuz 2 bord 2 finish it- but wat i red wuz good :-)
- 2

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I was killed by that bastard, his father
in my former life.
Quite a comfort knowing he will not born again from where he is

- Emile

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useful story, lovable
- Fazal (fazaludhen@yahoo.com)

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this story is so moving i am sending it to all of my friends. i sooooo wish i could go to india but i do have one question do the people of india worship mahtaz mahal?
- Dee

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I really wonder how such a big truth can be buried.Still the shiva lingas are buried there.Wat a pathetic condition for hindus.Please google and find out the sleeping truths.
- priya

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This is a shit story.Please dont believe this.Tajmahal is actually tejo mahalalaya a shiva temple.
Please google on that and find out many truths.
Shahjahan is a liar and a moron.
Dont believe this story.It is fake.
- priya

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mint boi!!!!!
- jesse

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wow
- lilo

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I loved the wonderful story of the Taj Mahal. It just amazes me. I read this story to my 7-year old brother and he absolutely loved it and was very amazed on how it was created!
- Suchi Parikh (swtgurliefereva@yahoo.com)

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When my heart is vulnerable, I find the love that I so need, and so want to share. Yes, this is beyond time, as is the Taj
- eduardo delanderos-tierre (eduardo.delanderostierre@gmail.com)

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Pls include my name in the list to whom you send your newsletter.

Thanks & Regards,

ARM Hussain
- ARM Hussain

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Wish i had someone like prince Khuram.
- sangeeta

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please sent me an email and by the way the taj mahal is beautiful continue with the journey
- Sofia Sheikh

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This site is da bomb! It helped me so much and thanks!
- Laura

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I read this beutifully written story to my 10 yr. old daughter. She absolutely loved it. Thank you.
-Elizabeth
- Lisa

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Please read the link given below as well.

http://www.hindunet.org/hindu_history/modern/taj_oak.html
- Subash Krishna

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Taj is my dream place , havent seen it in real yet, but do dream it once a month at least !!!! Best dream of my Dreams lolz
Can't wait to be there once in real before i die !!!!
- eimaan

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Wow!! I thought the taj mahal was a palace....but its a tomb!!!! facinatiing!!!! It is such a wicked story....I WANNA GO TO INDIA NOW!!! :-)
- vallery monica francis rose

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this is sooo coll man awesome!!! dis id deee bomb dude!!!
- sammmy

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i wish i had someone like price khuram
- mariam

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please send the cristal Malik story to my E_mail.
- Mariah

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Most beatiful story that my finacee told me about and I love it's full texture of love and romance....
- Crystal Malik

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Greatest Story for Term Paper!!!!

- Crystal Malik

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Well my mum told me the story about this on our way to Taj mahal in 1999, when i got there i was shocked it was the most gorjus building ever, last week i went to watch the film & everything that my mum sed was right accept one thing, they chopped the mans hands off whom made the taj mahal but they dont show that in the film. anyways thats the only thing that has left me thinking, but other than its one lovely (sad ending love story) i would recommend evryone to go & watch it.
- Louise

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Its a wonderful true story.
- Honey

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Me lo pueden enviar el articulo en español, tuve un sueño donde se mencionaba al Taj Mahal y quiero saber mas, si alguien entiende mi idioma, por favor escribeme...Mil Gracias marquinho@infosel.com
- Marco Antonio

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Dis was a banger of a job
- Rocky Maharaj

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ll
- mariam

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VERY impressed with your site, and this article in particular; well researched, easily read, and worth bookmarking for future references as a source of reliablity. Thank you for the hard work in providing this site.
- Idho Falconmyst (dds_451@hotmail.com)

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This was a TIGHT article. i mean it was so interesting. im doin a project on India and this is just what i needed. i never thought something so beautiful could have a story like that. whoever wrote that article did a BANGIN job!
- Keyta

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IT WAZZZ OFF THE HOOOK. I LIKED IT ALL EMAIL ME AIGHT
- Rocky Maharaj (pimp_raja@yahoo.com)

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i would like to review this article
- ankit

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I agree with you. The REAL NAME is: TEj-O-Mahalaya. How can is possible that almost India governments were blind? The Cong and comunists were, are and will be traitors. They are yet "good coolies" for Western people. Myself and all True Indian-Vedic people must "put in order" those traitors that like and love only "money". They spent the money of the people in partys and gifts. JAY JAY BHARAT!!!
- Octavio po

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I have been twice and can't wait to visit again. Spent three days at the Taj. Any body bitching about the $20.00 to get in have not been to any of our national monuments where there is nothing to see and pay through the nose. Try Disney.
- Gus Singh

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