The Story of The Taj Mahal

Emperor Shah Jahan of India was madly in love with his wife Arjumand Banu, who later became known as Mjmtaz Mahal, which means the Distinguished of the Palace.

The two were married in 1612 and had 14 children before Mumtaz died in childbirth while accompanying her husband on a military campaign in Burhanpur. During their 18 years of marriage she had rarely left his side and often joined him on his campaigns. She would have continued to do so, had it not been for her death in 1630, which hit the Emperor so hard that legend says his beard and hair turned white in a matter of months.

Before her death, Mumtaz had the Emperor make her four promises: That he build her an exquisite tomb; that he marry again; that he be kind to their children; and that he visit her tomb every year on the anniversary of her death. The Emperor found himself able to keep only the first two promises.

It took 22 years to complete the Taj, and during that time the Queen was buried in Behrampur. Agra was chosen as the location for the Taj because it was too expensive to transfer the materials to Behrampur.

The Emperor found himself unable to keep his promise to Mumtaz when he was deposed by his own son and imprisoned for 8 years in the Great Red Fort. He was unable to visit his wife's tomb and was said to have only a small view of the Taj in the reflection of a diamond.

Upon his death the Emperor was buried beside his wife and his casket was the only asymmetrical object in the Taj.

The Taj Mahal continues to stand at Agra where it has become a popular tourist destination. But above all, it continues to stand as a "symbol of eternal love."