As Jordyn Flows

[Prior to Penn Charter I had yet to write more than four pages. My ninth grade term paper was the first of many. Against my own will, I was assigned to research one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Taj Mahal. (No not the casino)].

A Wonder of Love                                   

Over a period of twenty-two years one of the Seven Wonders of the World was built known as the Taj Mahal. In India during the 17th century materials and laborers were gathered from near and far to build this renowned mausoleum.  Located on the banks of the Yamuna River in the Uttar Pradesh, this landmark was built during a time when Shah Jahan reigned as one of India’s six Mogul rulers. The Taj Mahal, a labor of love was created in memory of the emperor’s beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. Citizens grieved over the loss of their generous and intellectual empress. Emperor Shah Jahan was greatly affected by his wife’s death as well as her last promise that he would plan to fulfill. The Taj Mahal is an intricate and beautiful mausoleum that represents Indian society, an emperor’s devotion, and everlasting love towards his wife. 

The Mogul Empire started in 1526 and showed great interest in Arts. Their artistic ways were evident through the architecture and their tradition to build mausoleums. In the 12th century Moguls invaded and destroyed Hindu Temples. Mogul conquests included their elephants destroying the foundation and architecture of whomever they dominated. Once debris was all that remained, Muslim shrines would be built throughout the land as well as tombs. Tombstones were hardly ever seen in India but now they would become an aspect in society. Other than the Hindus who cremated the dead, it was part of Muslim culture to bury theirs in tombstones. Many prior to the Taj Mahal were built such as Humayun’s tomb, Sikandra, and Itimad-ud-daula. All mausoleums were created in memory of the rulers that held power but none would compare to the Taj Mahal. The grandness of this mausoleum symbolizes its significance for being built. It stands as India’s famous piece of architecture because of the determination of its founder and his reasons for creating it, his dearly loved wife.

This fairy tale love story began in 1607 at a festival in Agra. The Royal Meena Bazaar usually served as a marketplace for only women but today males were permitted to enter. They opened their gates to everyone, both royalty and those of low status. As tradition on this day women were shopkeepers and hoped to sell their products to fellow males. A fifteen-year-old girl named Arjumand Banu was the daughter of the official advisor of the emperor and patiently waited in her stall. Prince Khurram the son of emperor Jahangir arrived at the festival with his entourage. He did not know that this day he would meet his future companion. Once passing a stall he became enthralled with what he saw, Arjumand Banu; 

Khurram rushed to the stall of Arjumand Banu. Dazzled by her beauty, he stood motionless. Then he began to haggle for gems. When he asked the price of a piece of glass, Arjumandteased the prince by saying it was diamond and not glass. She insisted that even a prince of such eminence and reputation as he could not afford the price of ten thousand rupees, a vast fortune at that time. Khurram paid the asking price and vanished into the clamorous crowd, carrying the piece of glass in his hand and Arjumand’s image in his heart. According to the legend it was love at first sight. (Weatherly, 15).

The following day the Prince asked his father permission to ask Arjumand to marry him. Marriages were arranged during this time but Emperor Jahangir agreed. Five years wouldpass before the wedding would occur but the day finally arrived on March 27, 1612.

Emperor Jahangir adored his daughter in law and gave her a new name, Mumtaz Mahal that meant chosen one of the palace. Though the newlyweds hadn’t seen each other from the time they met to their wedding day, this did not affect their relationship. Prince Khurram and Mumtaz Mahal were each other’s soul mates. Throughout their marriage she served as his confidant and advisor. However, the struggle to ascend the throne began. Not only, did Prince Khurram want to serve as a husband but the fourth Mogul emperor too. 

Predicted by his grandfather Akbar, Prince Khurram was destined for great things and glory. After, the death of his father, relatives competed for the title as the next emperor. As prince he was a successful general in his father’s military campaigns but now he had to stand on his own. Empress Nur Mahal had tried to prevent from him claiming the throne but this did not stop him. He ordered the execution of many relatives and became the fourth emperor by process of elimination. On January 28, 1628 Prince Khurram became Emperor Shah Jahan. There was a month long celebration of his coronation and him and his wife moved into the Red Fort Palace. Shah Jahan made his mark as emperor and reigned for eighteen months in peace. Throughout this time he brought in wealth for the imperial treasury, expanded and consolidated the empire, and showed great interest in architecture. (Weatherly, 25).

Mumtaz Mahal made her mark as empress as well. She served as a political advisor to her husband. Towards the people of the empire she was charitable, compassionate, and generous. Mumtaz Mahal always considered and gave to the lower class. Many described her as beautiful and a, “model of feminine virtue.” (Carroll, 18). Shah Jahan trust was so strong for his wife that he gave her the seal of the state. Continuously, he asked for her views and opinions. They were inseparable as emperor and empress; she traveled with him wherever he went. The two were, “never more than a room removed from each other.” (Carroll, 21). He lavished her with roses and diamonds while she accompanied him on his military campaigns. 

Unfortunately, this significant marriage of nineteen years would come to an end. Trouble had started in Deccan and he took his family there including his wife. In spring of 1631, Shah Jahan was on the battlefield while at the same time waiting to here the news of the birth of his fourteenth child. The emperor heard the news of his healthy baby but not of his wife. He tried to contact her but miscommunications led to his arrival until the following morning where he found his soul mate lying on her deathbed. Mumtaz Mahal told her husband that she heard the child cry in the womb before its birth, a bad omen. (Weatherly, 25). Many hours passed with Shah Jahan sitting beside his wife. Mumtaz Mahal, empress of Shah Jahan passed away on June 7, 1631. In her last moments she whispered two wishes to her husband, the first not to father anymore children. Secondly, to “Build her a monument of such perfect proportions, such beauty that no one could be in its presence without sensing somewhere within himself the eternal wonder of the power of love.” (Carrol, 24).          

Greatly affected by his wife’s death Shah Jahan changed both physically and mentally. He cancelled all appointments and instead locked himself in isolation for eight days. Refusing food and drink, people heard Shah Jahan moan. The emperor’s back was  bent, his hair had now turned completely white and he had a face full of pain. He ordered his entire kingdom into mourning. All bright and pleasant things were forbidden such as music, public amusements, and clothes. Any person who demonstrated disrespectful behavior toward the queen’s death would be executed. “When she died, he was in danger to die himself.” (Carroll, 14).

In the year of 1638 construction began. The mausoleum was built on a 42-acre piece of land on the curve of the Yumana River. The complex includes an exterior gateway, courtyard, main gateway, gardens, the mausoleum, a mosque, and a jawab. The emperor supervised the building of the Taj Mahal but there is still controversy over the true builder. Many conclude a Persian master builder Ustad Isa created it or the Venetian jeweler Geronimo. The Taj Mahal was made out of semi precious stone in white marble brought from 250 miles, which gives the landmark a feminine look. A time of span of 22 years passed while the Taj Mahal was being built by an international group of 20,000 laborers. Shah Jahan’s enormous wealth allowed him to use 100,00 silver plates, 50,000 gold plates, 1,000 gold-studded saddles with jewels, 6 golden thrones, 275 pounds of emeralds, and 1,000 tubs of diamonds. (Weatherly,10-11). One thousand elephants were used to transport all of these materials. 

Islamic concepts were used to create it as well as native materials, motifs, and special quality craftsmanship. Asia’s finest craftsmen built intricately carved marble screens. This national admired piece of architecture has arabesques and chevrons in Muslim patterns that identify the culture. Minarets at each side of the central dome stand tall. Ornamentation is used throughout the mausoleum too. The interior possesses a softermood away from the light. Cenotaphs decorated meticulously in stones, jasper, and bloodstones are done with precision. The cenotaphs are located in the exact center of the Taj Mahal in perfect symmetry with the entrances, beneath the central dome. “The Taj Mahal’s dome is both a visual and structural achievement.” (Weatherly,56). The burial crypt is located beneath the cenotaphs where the emperor and empress lie in peace. Such delicate inlays of jeweled flowers glorify the Taj Mahal. The layout of the Taj Mahal represents an Islamic theme, afterlife. Calligraphy, water devices, gardens, incised painting; hard stone carving affect the creation of this mausoleum. “The Taj Mahal preserves in a supremely personal fashion the love of one man for one particular woman.” (Scofield, 599).

Time passed and Shah Jahan was imprisoned by his own son Aurangzeb. He passed away gazing at the Taj Mahal having spent his last days staring into a small piece of glass at the reflection of it. Despite his wishes to be built the same replica of the mausoleum for him in black stone, Shah Jahan was buried with his wife. Mumtaz Mahal’s wishes were both successfully fulfilled. The Taj Mahal was built in memory of the emperor’s wife but more importantly is created out of the love he had for her. Civilizations that prosper produce their own individual style and buildings but none will ever match the Taj Mahal. It distinguishes itself from others and represents Indian society. The Taj Mahal has something that people search for throughout their lives, love.