A Symbol of Love Taj

You must have seen a picture, or heard of the Taj or Taj Mahal.It stands on the bank of the Yamuna River in Uttar Pradesh.It is nearly ten kilometres from the city of Agra.It is a mausoleum.Two tombs are side-by-side inside the Taj.One of them is of Shah Jahan and the other of his dear wife Mumtaz Mahal.

The Taj, which is named after Mumtaz Mahal, is made of pure white marble. All the marble used for building was brought by carts from Jaipur, which is more than three hundred kilometres from Agra. The Taj is one of the most beautiful buildings in the world. It looks really wonderful in the light of full moon when the sky is clear. That is why thousands of tourists come to Agra every year to see this living memory of an emperor's love for his wife. They come not only from all parts of India but also from other countries.

Shah Jahan was the fifth Mughal emperor of India. In the history of the world, he has a special place among the greatest rulers. He wes the son of Jahangir, the Just and the grandson Akbar the Great. He became the Emperor or India in 1627. He ruled for more than thirty years. During his reign, there was perfect peace and order, and India made much progress. Most writers regard his reign as the Golden Age of the Mughal Empire.

Shah Jahan's real name wes Khurram. In 1612, he married Arjumand Bano Begum and named her Mumtaz Mahal. She was the daughter of Noorjahan's brother, Asaf Khan. She was one of the most beautiful woman of her time. Although Shah Jahan had many wives, he loved Mumtaz Mahal the most. She also loved him very much. She gave birth to fourteen children. In 1631, she became very ill. Shah Jahan became very sad. He spent most of his time beside her bed. She grew worse and worse day-by-day, and at last, it was felt that her death was at hand. Shah Jahan began to weep, and asked her what he could do to show his deep love for her. The dying queen replied, "If you love me, keep thinking of me and when I am gone, build over my grave a tomb that may keep my name alive forever." 

Shah Jahan gave his word, and Mumtaz Mahal died peacefully.

Shah Jahan was true to his word. He did not forget Mumtaz Mahal as long as he lived.His love for her was so deep that he often saw her in his dreams. In the sweet memory of his dear wife, he built over her grave a grand mausoleum, and named it Mumtaz or Mumtaz Mahal, which is called the Taj or Mahal for short. It is said that nearly 20,000 workers worked day and night for twenty-two years to complete it, and that it cost the Emperor three crore rupees. At that time, it was indeed a very large amount. The Taj was completed in 1653.

Shah Jahan built many more buildings. Some of the most famous of them are the Red Fort and the Jama Masjid in Delhi and Moti Masjid or pearl Mosque in the fort in Agra. 

He died in 1666, and according to his last wish, he was also buried in the Taj, beside the grave of his wife.