Dying Taj - Memories of Eternal Love

Shah Jahan’s Taj Mahal, in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died during delivery of their 14^th child. This monument stands as a symbol of love for the last couple of centuries. Taj Mahal was built on the banks of river Yamuna, Agra, India. Today there are reports that this immaculate monument will be destroyed in two years’ time due to sinking of building’s basement close the river Yamuna, but even before there are concerns that the marble structure of the building was slowing dying due to air pollution, white marble now turned yellow.

Government of India was adopting several measures to clean the deposits on the shimmering white marble. Measures such as issue of LPG gas for all the households in and around Taj, introduction if led free petrol in the area, Allocating LPG for nearby industries. These measures are designed to reduce Sulphur dioxide and nitrogen, major air pollutants.

Architectural style of Taj Mahal considered as merging of Persian, Turkish and Indian styles. The white marbled, domed structure is most famous but it is actually part of an integrated complex of structures. It was sometime in 1632 construction of Taj mahal began and it took 21 years and 20,000 craftsmen, finally the complex was completed during 1653. In 1983, UNESCO declared Taj Mahal a World Heritage site.

Shah Jahan, grandson of Akbar the great, met his wife during one his strolls in Meena Bazzar, it was love at first sight. Mumtaz Mahal, was not her original name, it was Arjumand Banu Begum, It was in 1612 Shah Jahan’s father allowed him to marry Arjumand Banu Begum after five years after they met. In 1628 Shah Jahan become Emperor of India, and he bestowed his wife the tile of Muntaz Mahal = meaning Jewel of the palace. Shah Jahan got two more wives but he loved Mumtaz the most. When Muntaz died during delivery of their 14^th child “Gauharar” in 1631, heartbroken, he ordered two years of court mourning. On her death bead he promised that he will never remarry and will build a magnificent mausoleum as a symbol of their love. When Shah Jahan died 1666 his body was placed next to his beloved wife. Today after 358 years after construction, Taj Mahal still stands as a symbol of love for generations.

After death of his beloved wife, Shah Jahan did not stop enjoying life, even though he did not remarry as promised. There are numerous stories of his lust for life. His last years where filled with sadness. Old age and illness he could only watch the struggles between his sons for the power. He was imprisoned in his own house by his son Aurangzeb, who took control of the empire after a struggle. He put his father under house arrest claiming incompetence. Shah Jahan was confined to the fort for the last eight years of his life, tended by Jahanara, his eldest daughter. It was said on his death bed kept looking at the Taj Mahal which was visible from his place of imprisonment.

During his imprisonment Shah Jahan tried to escape, so when he died Aurangzeb reported to have sent a trusted man to “make sue” that Shah Jahan really dead.

The greatest challenge in the construction of Taj Mahal was the closeness to river Yamuna. Foundation of the structure should be able to withstand flooding. Taj Mahal builders constructed a series of wells filled with rubble and iron, designed to work as pile foundations. Materials used for construction, majority was bricks, sandstone and white marble. White Marble came from Rajasthan, around 400km from Agra. Since marble got a translucent appearance the building seems to glow during changes in daylight. Actually construction of Taj Mahal did not take 21 or 22 years but the completion of the complex took that long.

After the death of Aurangzeb the empire fell into chaos. Struggle for power weakened and divided the empire. Persian commander Nadir Shah 1739 occupied Delhi and famous peacock throne and treasures were stolen. Then a waves of plunderers looted marbles, sandstone jewels and sliver gates of Taj Mahal. The East India Company with the help of French mercenaries took control of Agra in 1803. Unfortunately the new occupying forces got no respect for such a place subsequently rented Taj Mahal for parties and balls. It was during twentieth century serious attempts carried out towards restoration work of Taj Mahal. During war with Pakistan Taj Mahal was covered in black fabric to make not to be an easy target from air.

There was a story of second Taj Mahal was to be constructed in black marble. But Aurangzeb, the third son, did not allow completing it. But there is no evidence to support this story. Another story says Taj Mahal was designed by an Italian architect. Yet another story talked about a third grave in basement, real grave. Taj Mahal is built on the banks of river Agra, now many believes the whole building now tilting towards riverside. There are many doorways and corridors been covered up with brick walls, nobody knows what is behind the walls, believes to contains secret chambers.

Propaganda and stories makers works overtime around Taj Mahal, the fact remains such a magnificent example of human imagination and lover for art is dying because of manmade pollution.

The story of love for his wife, Taj Mahal will remain in our hearts for centuries to come.