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Taj Mahal Myths and Legends - The famous historical monuments all over the world
have innumerable stories, beliefs, myths and legends
attached. The Taj Mahal in Agra, India is no exception
to this general rule. The Taj Mahal is one of the most
visited travel destination in India and one of the most
admired tourist sites. Therefore, the Taj Mahal has
got many legendary stories.
The Taj Mahal was built by the great Mughal emperor
Shah Jahan in the memory of his beautiful wife Mumtaz
Mahal. It is said that Shah Jahan was madly in love
with his wife and thus after her death he wanted to
make his love immortal through the construction of this
wonderful piece of art. Thus the Taj Mahal is regarded
as the living legend of love of the great emperor. But
critics always argue that Shah Jahan had been a very
diplomatic ruler and in his urge of viewing his name
to be written in golden words in history he took the
initiative of building such a fantastic monument.
Nevertheless, the Taj Mahal is the center of great
debate, curiosity and discussion. It is said that Shah
Jahan wanted to build one more Taj Mahal by the side
of river Yamuna which would be black in color. It has
been recorded by Tavernier - a French merchant, "Shah
Jahan began to build his own tomb on the other side
of Yamuna but the war with his sons interrupted his
plans and Aurangzeb who reigns at present is not disposed
to complete it".
The later day historical guide books and other historical
works also mention almost the same story. The irregular
position of the cenotaph of Shah Jahan as compared to
that of Mumtaz Mahal, which occupies the exact centre
of the hall, is said to be proof of this assumption.
The Mehtab Burj and the wall adjoining it opposite the
Taj Mahal are generally said to be the foundations and
remains of the proposed plan.
However, many scholars are to believe that this legendary
story has got no business with truth. The traces, which
are identified as the foundations of the second Taj,
are actually the enclosing wall of a garden founded
by Babur. The irregular position of Shah Jahan's cenotaph
in comparison to Mumtaz Mahal's, is similar to that
at the Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah, and thus should not
be of any striking significance. Besides, according
to Islamic law, bodies are buried with their faces towards
Mecca and legs towards the south, and the husband is
placed on the right hand side of his wife. The interpretation
that the cenotaph of Shah Jahan was not meant to be
placed here appears to be redundant.
Touroftajmahal.com offers valuable information
on Myths and Legends around Taj Mahal and other details of
the Taj Mahal in Agra.
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