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Modern Day Foodie
One of the largest tombs in the world is a symbol of lost love and devotion
2024-02-14
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Visitors to the enormous monument tomb are touched by the tragic tale at its heart. Emperor Shah Jahān began building the Taj in 1631. A tomb for his wife Mumtaz Mahal. She was lost giving birth to their fourteenth child. It has stood as a symbol of love and devotion ever since.
This masterpiece contains an eight-walled tomb built to house his deceased empress that died in 1631. Right below the dome is the sarcophagus of empress Mumtaz Mahal. Right beside her is her husband, Shah Jahān, the emperor. But both caskets are empty. The real bodies are in a crypt just below. They are in identical positions and design as the ones above.
They were married in 1612, a date selected by the court astrologers as most conducive to ensuring a happy marriage. She was his third wife and became his favorite.
After their wedding celebrations the emperor gave her the title “Mumtaz Mahal” Begum (Chosen One of the Palace). The succeeding years he took two other wives.
Mumtaz Mahal on IvoryPhoto byPublic Domain via Wikipedia
Mumtaz Mahal had a very deep and loving marriage with Shah Jahān. Mumtaz Mahal was Shah Jahān's trusted companion. She would travel with him all over the Mughal Empire.
She died in 1631 AD in the Burhanpur (now in Madhya Pradesh) during the birth of their fourteenth child from a postpartum hemorrhage. She was only 37 years old.
Mumtaz Mahal original resting place at AhukhanaPhoto byTimes of Inidia
She had been accompanying her husband while he was fighting a campaign on the Deccan Plateau. Her body was temporarily laid to rest in Burhanpur. Her original gravesite still stands in ruins. It is called, Ahukhana.
Burhanpur was never intended by her husband as her final resting place. Later that year, she was disinterred and transported in a golden casket back to Agra, India. She was interred in a small building on the banks of the river Yamuna while her tomb was being built.
Shah JahānPhoto byPublic Domain via Wikipedia
The Shah soon began planning the design and construction of a suitable mausoleum and funerary garden in Agra for his wife. 22 years later the Taj Mahal was completed, and she was interred in her final resting place.
In September 1657 Shah Jahān fell ill. Four of his sons struggled for succession. The victor, Aurangzeb, declared himself emperor in 1658. He confined Shah Jahān in the Agra Fort until his death.
Shah Jahān died in 1666 and was interred next to the love of his life in the Taj Mahal. He was 76-year-old at the time. Now their love and devotion are on display for all to see.
Did you know about this love story behind the Taj Mahal? Let us know in the comments.
Sarcophagus of empress Mumtaz Mahal (lower). Beside her is her husband, Shah Jahān. (taller).Photo byFind-a-Grave.com
Taj Mahal Looks Islamic?
Shah Jahān was an Islamic in fate. He was an outsider to India. He occupied this largely Hindu land for years. He was part of the Mughal Empire. He had power over a quarter of the world’s population at the time.
The name Taj Mahal is believed to have been drawn from the Persian word “taj,” meaning “crown.” The word “mahal” mean “palace.” So, Taj Mahal could be translated as “palace of the crown.”
Interestingly, the queen in whose memory it was built, her originally name was Arjumand Begum, she held the name “Mumtaz Mahal,” meaning “the crown of the palace.”
The legend goes that he sought to build something parallel to heaven on Earth. A spectacular and unbelievably beautiful monument that reinforced his power.
Have you ever noticed that the Taj Mahal didn’t look Hindi? Let us know in the comments.
Great Virtual Tour is Available
Thousands of tourists come from all over the world to see this breathtaking marble monument to love. It is considered the most beautiful building ever constructed. Not to mention one of the seven wonders of the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
But most of us will never see it in person. I have discovered a great Google visual tour that will take you to this place. You can virtually explore the outside and inside of this tomb.
Once on the virtual tour. You can scroll through the different areas of the mausoleum. Arrows will appear on the screen that will allow you to get closer or walk around.
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