The story of Taj Mahal has all the ingredients for a great love story. Mogul in exotic lands, beautiful princesses and eternal love. The story is like something out of a romantic poet's writings, and through the years is the story of the immortal love just grown and grown.
Great Mughal Peacock Throne at Delhi to Agra in northern India were once so coveted that the sons would hit whole families to death to come to power. From 14 century and until the British colonization of India in the 1800s it was almost a tradition in the great Mughal families.
A Love Of Them All
Although the prince had several wives and numerous concubines, he does not hide the fact that Mumtaz-i-Mahal is his favorite and all his love belongs to her. When he comes to power in 1628, it is she who accompanies him at official events, and it's her, he asks for advice when you need it.
The Wife Dies, The Myth Begins
Mumtaz-i-Mahal bestows her husband fourteen children, eight sons and six daughters. But the last birth gives so many complications, the favorite wife dies in childbirth. And this is where the myth about the Taj Mahal and the immortal love begins.
There are many profound stories about Mogul grief over his wife's death, from hofskribentens writings of later authors' interpretations, which certainly has not made the story worse myth or less.
One of the myths is that Mogul thick, dark hair was gray that night, his wife died. After her death, was proclaimed two years of mourning, where all the festivities were prohibited, as it was not allowed to wear jewelry or inflict themselves perfume.
The Palace Of Them All
But this was not enough for the grieving Great Mogul. He wanted to create something that would forever show how much he loved his favorite wife. Therefore promised the grieving widower, he would erect a jewel of a palace for his wife.
Architects, builders, sculptors, calligraphers and artists were invited from all corners of the world to come up with ideas on how mausoleum of Mumtaz-i-Mahal should look like. From these ideas emerged the plan for a mausoleum in marble flanked by four minarets.
Construction of the Taj Mahal took no less than 22 years, and there were 20,000 workers affiliated to complete the building and surrounding gardens with lakes and streams. Total area covers 18 hectares.
Taj Mahal was built from materials from India, Asia and Europe and more than 1000 elephants were used to transport building materials. Simultaneously, 28 different gems engraved in white marble.
Inside the main building are two sarcophagi, Mogul and his beloved wife. The sarcophagi are designed by a Venetian artist, who also decorated the interior of the building.
Obsessed With Symmetry
Since the Great Mogul was almost obsessed with symmetrical lines, he built an exact replica of the mosque on the opposite side of the mausoleum. This copy is known as jawab (response). The building is not used as a mosque because it is not correct in relation to Mecca.
Myths Hotbed
There are many myths and stories associated with the Taj Mahal, and according to contemporary writers have certainly not remained behind to carry firewood. One of the myths is that the main architect of the Taj Mahal was cut by his right hand, as construction was completed. This should prevent him from building a similar one.
Another myth says that Shah Jahan planned to build a similar Taj Mahal in black on the other side of the river. The building was, however, never materialized, as the mogul died before construction was started. There have not yet found evidence that another Taj Mahal was planned.
