Taj Mahal–a tribute to love, beauty and life

Posted on June 11, 2008
Filed Under LIFE, Travel | Viewed 569 times

In one of my visits to India, I had the opportunity of touring the other parts of the Golden Triangle—Agra and Jaipur, after almost 2 weeks in Delhi (the third part). I took a solo and guided tour to Agra and Jaipur. $200 was all that it took for 3 days on the road in a car, and 2 nights in 3-star accommodation, all meals included. I am sharing here pictures taken from the Golden Triangle.

Before that, I met in church some Missionaries of Charity, who promised me and my family, a lifetime of prayers. They were so holy, yet friendly.
The highight of the tour was Taj Mahal, a mausoleum and funery garden in Agra, which took 20 years to complete in the 16th century. It was told that the Taj Mahal was built on orders of Prince Jhunnum (who later ascended the Peacock Throne as Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan I) in honor of his wife, Arjumand Banu Begum. He loved her so much that he had to wait 5 years before they could get married, as court astrologers had to pick a suitable date to ensure a fruitful and successful union. She was named Mumtaz Mahal—Chosen One of the Palace, right after the wedding. So enamored was he that even if he took 2 wives during the intervening 5 years, he had no interest in excercising his polygmous rights, other than fathering one child to each.

Despite her frequent pregnancies, she accompanied Shah Jahan and his entourage through his travels all over the Mughal Empire for military campaigns and later, rebellion against his father. Shah Jahan’s deep affection, intimacy and attention for Mumtaz Mahal far exceeded what he felt for the other wives by a thousand times, such that they had a very deep and loving marriage. Poets extolled her compassion, gracefulness and beauty while historians went to great lengths to document their intense, erotic and intimate relationship.

Nineteen years of marriage saw them through 13 children, 7 of whom died either at birth or at a very young age. Mumtaz died while giving birth to their 14th child. On her deathbed, Mumtaz made Shah Jahan promise that he would never remarry and that he would build a monument as a symbol of their eternal love. She was buried temporarily in a walled pleasure garden by the bank of the Tapti River.

So heartbroken and inconsolable was Shah Jahan that immediately after Mumtaz was buried, he went into secluded mourning for a year, and when he came back, his hair has turned white, he looked very old and his back was bent. To make the long story short, Shah Jahan had the mausoleum built and had the remains of his beloved Mumaz transferred in the tomb inside the mausoleum.

Myth had it that the 20,000 workers who were involved in building it, from the craftsmen to the architects were either killed or mutilated—their hands cut off so that they could not replicate their work.

There were also claims that the workers involved in the construction were made to sign contracts not to work on similar projects and designs. The emperor’s son deposed him and placed him in prison for 8 years at the Great Red Fort where he had a view of Taj Mahal, He was buried at the Taj Mahal when he died.

Everything in Taj Mahal is symmetrical except the casket of the emperor. It is made of white marble, the main mausoleum inlaid with semi-precious stones that sparkle when they catch the glow of the moon. I have seen how the colors change at different hours of the day, in the early morning—pinkish, in the evening—milky white, and in the evening when the moon shines—golden. They say these changes depict the different moods of a woman.

Had the stories been true about killing and mutilating the workers who built Taj Mahal, I am wont to say that the emperor must have been obsessed, his love reckless and selfish. But still they say Taj Mahal is a tribute to true love, beauty and life.

Comments

9 Responses to “Taj Mahal–a tribute to love, beauty and life”

myepinoy on June 11th, 2008 10:53 pm

Based on the the story you have narrated, many people paid for his love.

Parang merong illusion on the 8th picture. If you scroll down or up using the mouse, para s’yang nag e-expand or na co-compress. O baka malabo na lang mata ko. lol.
Kyels on June 12th, 2008 12:13 pm

It has always been a dream of mine to visit the Taj Mahal b/c I was so fascinated w/the story behind it. I read the story when I was still very young; probably around 9 y/o and ever since then, I have been intrigued w/it and also the other wonders of the world.

[:
Micamyx on June 13th, 2008 6:39 am

This post is very informative. I knew that the Taj Mahal was created because of love, but i never thought that his love for the girl is so intense.

I hope that the story about the workers is not true. The act is just not human to me.
Christine on June 13th, 2008 2:09 pm

Lovely. maam, you are one of the few people I know na super lucky since you’ve had your share of the world. i remember the 200+ boarding passes.. hahaha! thanks for sharing your experience maam. it’s my dream to see taj mahal—live. haha! puro na lang sa pictures eh…
nica m. on June 13th, 2008 2:47 pm

Sana ako din makapuntang Taj Mahal. Its a testament on how monumental love can be. Now, if only i can find one that would build a house for me, kahit maliit lang…. Can I still go to India for 3 days and 2 nights for only $200?
Rach (Heart of Rachel) on June 14th, 2008 5:39 pm

You look lovely in those clothing. Thank you for sharing the colorful history of the Taj Mahal. It’s a beautiful place and ultimate dedication of a person’s love.
cielo on June 15th, 2008 12:44 am

the architecture is really awesome. Thanks for sharing your travel experience with us, para na rin kaming nagpunta sa taj
KK aka Tina on June 17th, 2008 3:08 am

Wow! You did a better job narrating the story of the Taj Mahal than my teacher in South East Asian history. You look great in your Salwar.
vk on June 18th, 2008 1:12 am

you looks so nice and lovely with the india clothes…..bagay sa iyo, really.

thanks for sharing the story of taj mahal…..

that is why bernie called me, Mahal….lol

i wish to visit here, someday, if God´s will…..