We all know about the incredible ‘Taj Mahal’. This historic monument is situated in Agra, India where people from faraway places come to visit.
This monument was built by the fifth Mughal emperor ‘Shah Jahan’ as a memorial for his late wife Mumtaz Mahal. This monument was built because it was Mumtaz Mahal’s wish that a monument should be built and her grave should be kept in it. She also wanted that monument to be so beautiful that people from other countries visit it.
The Taj Mahal was built after her death with white marble and precious stones. It took 22 years to complete the construction of the Taj Mahal. Once the construction was complete the body of Mumtaz Mahal was buried in the lower level of the Taj Mahal, where a secret underground tunnel was made. The body was buried and then the tunnel was closed so that no invader could enter the place. Then a symbolic tomb was placed in the upper level of the monument. This is how the Taj Mahal came into mere existence.
Do you know, it is believed that Shah Jahan wanted to construct a black Taj Mahal just opposite to the Taj Mahal, across the Yamuna River which flows from right behind the Taj Mahal. He said that after his death, he should be buried in the Black Taj Mahal. He also wanted to construct a bridge connecting the Taj Mahals over the Yamuna.
The construction of this monument had also started but could not be completed as he was overthrown by his son Aurangzeb and the new king Aurangzeb stopped the construction. That is why one can see the incomplete construction of the monument from the Taj Mahal across the river. This place is currently known as Mehtab Bagh.
However, as the construction could not be completed, the body of Shah Jahan was buried next to the body of Mumtaz Mahal’s body by reopening the underground tunnel in the Taj Mahal. Then the tunnel was again closed and another symbolic tomb of Shah Jahan was made beside that of Mumtaz Mahal.
Even today, one can see that the tomb and the grave of Mumtaz Mahal are there exactly on the centre line of the monument. However, the tomb and grave of Shah Jahan is off centre as it was placed later. Though not confirmed by all historians the story of the black Taj Mahal is told as the story of Shah Jahan’s true love for his wife.
January, 2024
