Q&A: Do you know the story behind the Taj Mahal?
Question by Em: Do you know the story behind the Taj Mahal?
I think its so sweet and romantic! Its a true story too.
In 1612, Emperor Shah Jahan married Arjumand Banu Begum. He was 46 and she was 16 at the time. She would become the unquestioned love of his life. After their wedding celebrations, Shah Jahan “finding her in appearance and character elect among all the women of the time”, gave her the title ‘Mumtaz Mahal’ Begum (Beloved Jewel of the Palace). Shah Jahan already had three other wives but by all accounts, he was so taken with Mumtaz, that he showed little interest in exercising his polygamous rights with the earlier wives. According to the official court chronicler, Qazwini, the relationship with his other wives “had nothing more than the status of marriage. The intimacy, deep affection, attention and favour which His Majesty had for Mumtaz exceeded by a thousand times what he felt for any other.”
Mumtaz Mahal had a very deep and loving marriage with Shah Jahan. Even during her lifetime, poets would extol her beauty, gracefulness and compassion. Mumtaz Mahal was Shah Jahan’s trusted companion, travelling with him all over the Mughal Empire. His trust in her was so great that he even gave her his imperial seal, the Muhr Uzah. Mumtaz was portrayed as the perfect wife with no aspirations to political power but she was a great influence on him, apparently often intervening on behalf of the poor and destitute.
Despite her frequent pregnancies, Mumtaz traveled with Shah Jahan’s entourage throughout his military campaigns. She was his constant companion and trusted confidant and their relationship was intense. In their nineteen years of marriage, they had fourteen children together, seven of whom died at birth or at a very young age.
Mumtaz died in Burhanpur in 1631, while giving birth to their fourteenth child. In the immediate aftermath of his bereavement, the emperor was reportedly inconsolable. After her death, Shah Jahan went into secluded mourning for a year. When he appeared again, he looked defeated, his hair had turned white, his back was bent, and his face worn. He gave his throne to his eldest son, Aurangazeb.
Shah Jahan began planning the design and construction of a suitable mausoleum and funerary garden in Agra for his wife. Today, the Taj Mahal stands as the ultimate monument to love, and a homage to her beauty and life.
Best answer:
Answer by Louie O
http://www.stephen-knapp.com/question_of_the_taj_mahal.htm
Give your answer to this question below!
Yes, this is a heart-warming story and the Taj Mahal is a masterpiece!
That is an inspiring and romantic story! Sadly, though, some terrorists in Mumbai, forget their history and inflict the citizens of India with terror. But forget about that part, going to Taj Mahal is worth it!