The story behind building of Taj Mahal

The love story behind the creation of Taj is same like any other stories of classics like Romeo and Juliet. It is an Indian story known all over the world, the love and bond between Shah Jahan and Mumtaj Mahal. The passionate story rises up pain and grief at the same time. It is said that Shah Jahan saw Arjumand Banu Begum, a grand daughter of a Persian noble at a market place and fall in love at first sight. She was just 14 years at their first meeting. They got married on March 21, 1612. For her grace she was named as the Jewel of the Palace. Over the years they had fourteen children, and Mumtaj died on childbirth at Burhanpur. She was then accompanying her husband in his invasion in the Deccan plateau. Her body was buried there on the bank of the Tapti River.

After six moths of Mumtaj’s death, Shah Jahan returned to Agra. Before her death Mumtaj asked her husband to build a mausoleum in memory of her. To fulfill her wife’s dream Shah Jahan began construction of Taj hiring architects. The mortal remains of Mumtaj were buried here later. The body of Mumtaj again was buried on the bank of the River Yamuna under a dome and thus the foundation for the Taj was laid.

Shah Jahan employed thousands of artisans and craftsman to build the Taj. The construction was started around 1632 and completed in 1653. The principal architect is Ustad Ahmad Lahauri.

The love story is the inspiration for Taj Mahal. Emperor Shah Jahan himself weaves some lines to express his feelings to this great monument. Though she is the third wife, yet Mumtaj is the best companion to him. To immortalize their love, Shah Jahan kept her wife’s word and built this great mausoleum which later proved to be one of the architectural marvels of Mughal period.