More info on the Taj Mahal

I had a knowledgeable guide to accompany me for the day. This is what he told me about the Taj Mahal:

Mumtaz Mahal was near the end of her pregnancy when her husband asked her to accompany him in Buran-Pur, located about 900 km north of Agra. Although it was cooler up in Buran-Pur, Mumtaz originally declined the request even though it was cooler, concerned about traveling so late in her pregnancy. Upon Shah Jahan’s insistence, she relented and began the journey. While en route, she developed complications and delivered prematurely. Recognizing her grave state, Shah Jahan was immediately summoned. Grief-stricken and likely feeling guilty for convincing her to travel, Jahan expressed feelings of suicide. The 39-yr old Mumtaz told him not to kill himself, but instead asked him to promise her a few things. He was not to remarry. Jahan was also to erect a building of lasting love. Six months later, the architect was chosen, his design rendered with a brush and blood. Built to resemble the Islamic garden of paradise, the complex cost nearly 41 million rupees and 500 kg (1,102 lb) of gold. The Taj Mahal is 243 feet (74 m) high in the front and 253 feet (77 m) high in the back, behind which the Yumana River flows. The 144 ft (44 m) high double dome is capped with a Muslim finial symbol. On each corner of the Taj Mahal’s courtyard is a minaret, accentuating the perfect symmetry of the complex. Each is 131 feet (40 m) high and crowned by an open octagonal pavilion. My guide told me that the pillars actually were designed to lean outward slightly to ensure they would not topple onto the main building if they fell.

On the other side of the Yumana River were the foundations of the Black Taj building, intended by Shah Jahan to be his resting place. One of Jahan’s sons had that project stopped, saying that it would be way too expensive and would draw unnecessary, exorbitant costs from the emperor’s subjects. This son had Jahan placed under house arrest and into a tower of the Agra Fort, where he died at age 76 of old age.

For a virtual tour of the Taj Mahal, visit http://www.tracyanddale.50megs.com/India/Rajasthan/HTML/tajmahal.html

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