The Beauty of the Taj Mahal Can Covert Even the Bitterest Cynic

chillibreeze writer — Ravi Kunjithai

Taj Mahal - the ultimate wish of a forlorn husband, a tribute to a love departed, a monument, which almost emptied the coffers of the emperor who wanted to fulfill his last promise to his dying wife. Can anything be more romantic? There is not a single soul of the fairer sex on this planet, who would not wish that their partner could give them something so monumentally romantic!

The History of Lost Love

Shah Jahan of the Mogul dynasty was yet to accede the throne when he heard about the unsurpassed beauty of Mumtaz. He took Mumtaz as his third wife in 1612. For the next 18 years Shah Jahan and Mumtaz were inseparable. Shah Jahan took his wife along on every journey and war campaign. Over the years Mumtaz came to be his best friend, his critic and a canny political adviser. Mumtaz was expecting their 14th child when Shah Jahan embarked on a campaign against the Lodhi Empire in 1631. In the heat of the Indian summer, the army traveled to the Deccans. Mumtaz, who had accompanied the emperor, went through a rigorous childbirth. She died in Burhanpur. On her deathbed, she asked her husband to promise him that he would build a monument to their love. Legend has it that he locked himself in his room for eight days without food after Mumtaz passed away. After burying Mumtaz temporarily in Burhanpur, Shah Jahan went about constructing the Taj Mahal in right earnest.

He summoned the best architects and artisans from far away lands like Multan, Kannauj, Lahore, Iraq and Persia. He arranged for the best marble from all around. It took 22 years, 22,000 people, 400 elephants and 32 million rupees to build the Taj Mahal. The result: an awe-inspiring structure, which is one of the most globally recognized symbols of grace and beauty.

The Magnificent Monument

Built on a raised, square platform it is as tall as a 20-storey building. You enter through an imposing gateway. The complex consists of an elaborate garden set in the typical charbagh style, a mosque, a guesthouse and several other charming buildings. The mausoleum itself stands at the farthest end of the complex, right along the Yamuna River. The signature central dome (58 ft in diameter and 213 ft high) is truly magnificent and is echoed in the smaller domed chambers on all sides. The four slender minarets that rise from the corners of the mausoleum complete the picture of symmetry.

The undisputed majesty and beauty is further reflected in the exquisite artistry created by inspired artisans from Baghdad, Shiraz and Bukhara. Exquisite floral patterns and calligraphy on both the exterior and interior were inlaid with precious stones such as jasper and agate. Quotations from the Koran were etched into stone archways; a pinnacle was set on the central dome; and thus came to life the most splendid resting place a lover could ever hope to find on this planet!

Venus de Milo of the East

You have to be blessed to have an audience of the unique monument. You have to have the yearning of Shah Jahan, the intensity of Mumtaz’s love, and purity of the intention. Mark Twain once made a famous remark that the world is made up of two kinds of people: those who have seen Taj Mahal and those who have not! A visit to Taj Mahal by a romantic soul, is akin to a visit of the devote Muslim to Mecca.

The beauty of Taj Mahal lies in the fact that it is alive. It embodies the soul for which it was built. Viewers of the BBC’s Holiday Programme voted the Taj Mahal among their ‘Must see, before you die’ places. The genesis of Taj Mahal is an ultimate tribute of the forlorn lover to the love of his life. For scholar EB Havell, “the Taj Mahal is India’s tribute to the grace of womanhood, the Venus de Milo of the east”.

Traveling Back in Time

The Taj Mahal is an experience of a life time. As you travel the dusty streets of Agra and enter the gateway you experience an indescribable feeling. The monument in pristine white welcomes you with open arms. As you go closer, past the turnstiles with the monument looming over you are left speechless in awe. The Taj has an overwhelming effect and touches something deep inside you. You are transported to three hundred years ago and feel as if you are witness to the pining of the man who lost his wife. You can almost see fragile Mumtaz floating in front of the white marble ethereally. You wander around the mausoleum in a trance and feeling elated that you are experiencing a part of history, and strangely convicted about the eternity of love.

Converting Cynics

Love, most cynics say, is a figment of imagination, a myth generated and perpetrated by the maudlin minds of art and literature. I am sure that if even the bitterest cynic were to see the Taj on a moonlit light, they could not help but convert. Love is literally in the air. Seeing the Taj bathed in the milky white of the moonlight with the serene Yamuna flowing by is magical. You want to capture that moment in your heart and let it change the way you live.

The saga of love has left its indelible mark on it. One of the earlier Wonders of the World, the Taj Mahal is unique. Emperor Shah Jahan wanted to see his bereaved wife Mumtaz every time he looked at this monument. He left no stone unturned, to make it the biggest, most distinct and evocative tomb. The love infused in the intention is palpable. The memorial so built, is quivering with life. It blushes pink in the morning like an innocent young maid: turns into a virginal bride awaiting her groom in the evening and glows golden under the light of the moon like a woman in her lover’s arms. This may sound a bit far fetched, but to actually understand these words one has to visit the Taj Mahal and experience the beauty of love.

Chillibreeze's disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not reflect the views of Chillibreeze as a company. Chillibreeze has a strict anti-plagiarism policy. Please contact us to report any copyright issues related to this article.

Chillibreeze writers can write travel articles about any destination in India or abroad. Contact us for your content requirements.

Out of 5 “chilies”, our editorial team gave this article...

—About our writer:

Ravi says, "After having served all over the country as a Doctor in Indian Army, I have ultimately settled down in Bangalore of late. Johny walker's motto is most appealing to me- Just keep walking! I love travelling. I feel there is so much of India yet to be seen. Love playing with Gizmos of all sorts. According to me Computer is the greatest invention of all times"