Taj Mahal - The Power of Love

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Southern view of the Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal is a symbol of eternal love. Taj Mahal is one of the best tourist attractions in the world. Taj Mahal stands in the city of Agra, in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, on the banks of the Yamuna River. It was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory for his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. I feel touch after knowing the story behind the construction of the Taj Mahal, it all about the power of love.

The story of Taj Mahal was begun when Prince Khurram (Shah Jahan) met a Persian Princess name Arjumand Banu (Mumtaz Mahal) and fell in love with her then was married in 1612. Prince Khurram was given the name Shah Jahan by his father after secured the southern borden of the Moghul empire. Shah Jahan means “Lord of the World”. In 1628, Shah Jahan became emperor and he bestowed her as Mumtaz Mahal, which means “Jewel of the Palace”.

Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan

In 1631, Mumtaz Mahal was died during the birth of their 14^th child, Gauhara Begum. Mumtaz Mahal died when she was just 39 years old. After Mumtaz Mahal died, Shah Jahan was so heartbroken, and he decided to elect the world’s most beautiful monument in the memory of his beloved. Construction of the Taj Mahal had begun in 1632. It took 22 years and the labor of 22,000 workers to construct the monument, which is also said to be the last wish of Mumtaz Mahal.

Shortly after the Taj Mahal was completed, Shah Jahan was imprisoned for squandering families' wealth and weakening the empire. At the end, Shah Jahan was died in the prison. He had been buried at the Taj Mahal with Mumtaz, which was his last request.

Emperor Shah Jahan himself decribed the Taj Mahal in these words:

Should guilty seek asylum here,

Like one pardoned, he becomes free from sin.

Should a sinner make his way to this mansion,

All his past sins are to be washed away.

The sight of this mansion creates sorrowing sighs;

And the sun and the moon shed tears from their eyes.

In this world this edifice has been made;

To display thereby the creator's glory.