TAJ MAHAL

The Taj Mahal can be referred as a symbol of eternal love. Since Shah Jahan built the Taj for his beloved queen upon her death in 1631A.D. . It is located in bank of Yamuna River, Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India. It is considered one of the seven wonders of the world. The Taj Mahal was built emperor Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his wife empress Mum Taj Mahal. It is matchless beauty draws visitors from all parts of world. the Mahal got the highest ranking among the seven wonders of the world.It was created by Mughal Architectures by using semi precious stones.

Shah Jahan

Shah Jahan was born in Lahore as Prince Khurram in 1592. He was the 5th Mughal Emperor who ruled for 30 years from 1628 to 1658. But before becoming a Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan had to enter into the war of succession.

Although Shah Jahan was one the favorite son of Jahangir(father). The close relationship between Jahangir and Shah Jahan broke down in the Jahangir final years. It was due to the fact that Noor Jahan, Jahangir's Afghans emperor wanted her son in law Prince Shahryar who was also the younger son of Jahangir to succeed to the Mughal Throne after Jahangir fearing to loose the Mughal Throne. Shah Jahan made a bate for power in 1622 by rebilling against his own father and with time he also overcame the challenges from other contenders from the Mughal Throne. But by 1628, Shah Jahan managed to became the Mughal Emperor.

Shah Jahan was a very capable Military Leader. In the first decade of his reign, he conquered the Rajput kingdoms of Baglana and Bundelkhand in the West, Bijapur and Golconda in South, and some small kingdoms in Kashmir and the Himalays.

The reign of shah Jahan is known for Architectural Excellence. Taj Mahal, Moti Masjid, Red Fort, Peacock Throne, Shahjahanabad(Purani Delhi) are all constructions of Shah Jahan.

Food Historian Salma Yusuf Hussain says, "Shah Jahan was not a worrier: he was never a soldier. He loved to eat." Haqim added medicinally benificial ingredients it the menu.

The another glorious phase start fading when Shah Jahan fell ill in 1658, followed by the war of succession among his four sons. Soon, Aurangzeb captured and imprisoned Shah Jahan in Agra Jail where he imprisoned for long time. After 8 years in 1666 he died there. It is said that every day he lived in captivity. he spend looking at Taj mahal. After his death he was placed beside Mumtaz Mahal's grave.

It is believed that Shah Jahan got the hands of the workers chopped off to prevent them from constructing an imitation of the Taj Mahal.

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Mumtaz Mahal

Mumtaz mahal was born in April 1593, in Agra. At first, her name was Arjumand Banu Begum.

In 1607 AD, Mumtaz was betrothed to Shah Jahan when she was just 14 years old. Since she was to young to get married, she and Shah Jahan had to wait for 5 more years, until she was 19 to get married.

Finding her appearance irresistible, it was Shah Jahan who gave her the title 'Mumtaz mahal '. Shah Jahan trusted her so much that he gave her his imperial seal, the Muhr Uzah.

In their 19 years of marriage, they had 14 children together. Seven of them died either at birth or at a very young age.

Mumtaz died in 1631 AD while giving birth to 14 child, a daughter named Gauhara Begum. Her body was buried in the garden known as Zainabad. The construction of Taj Mahal was started after 1 year of her death from 1632AD.