Story Behind The Taj Mahal

The story behind the construction of the Taj Mahal, is perhaps one of the most beautiful love stories of our time. Classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1983, Taj Mahal took nearly two decades to be build and involved nearly 22 thousand workers. The estimated cost of the materials used in its construction translates in more than $500 million.. Made entirely out of white marble, Taj Mahal is covered in exquisite patterns made of precious and semi-precious stones.

This monument is the result of a great love shared by Mumtaz Mahal ( Arjumand Banu Begum) and Shah Jahan (Prince Khurram). She was a granddaughter of a Persian noble, and he was the successor of the emperor Jahangir. Their initial encounter is described having been love at first sight. They were betrothed at the age of 14 and 15. Five years later, their union was officially celebrated. In their 19 years of marriage, they have had 14 children.

Mumtaz, is described as a beautiful and a very devoted wife, which was deeply loved by Shan Jahan. She is told to have been a woman of a great heart. Although, as prescribed by the traditions of the time Shah Jahan later took in two other wives, Mumtaz is considered to have been the love of his life. It is her death in 1631, caused by labor complications, that led to the construction of this world`s wonder. After the death of Mumtaz, Shah Jahan went into seclusion for a period of one year. Upon the return from his mourning, he commands the construction of the Taj Mahal in the memory of his deceased wife.

In fact, a legend states that some time before her death, Mumtaz had a dream that she was going to die while giving birth to her next son. She then made her husband promise her three things: not to take in any other wives, to care for her parents and to build a mausoleum in her name. She has indeed died in labor, and he has fulfilled all three promises. But he build more than a simple mausoleum, he has built, what is called today an "architectural perfection".

To this day, Shah Jahan and Mumtaz are buried at the Taj Mahal, their tombs are at the center of this complex of structures. United by love during their lifetimes, they are forever resting side by side. Taj Mahal is at once an expression of tremendous grief and endless love.